Bought out star defenseman now hot topic in UFA market.

It was a surprise for many in the hockey world when the news about the buyout of Dan Girardi's contract leaked. The big defenseman was bought out by the Rangers in a surprising move obviously intended to free up some cap space approaching the UFA market. Girardi's contract was quite heavy at 5,5M$ a year for three more years, but he was the crowd's favorite for so long that this move seemed improbable. 

Anyhow, now that he's free to negotiate with whoever he pleases, the market is heating up to his presence. 

It's no surprise a defenseman of his quality would be sought after in this year UFA market. The amount of defenseman is pretty small and an experienced leader of his kind is a clear opportunity for many teams. It's now a question of how much money he will ask and what the terms will be offered to him. It's quite surprising the Rangers couldn't trade him anywhere in the league a few weeks ago though. That contract of his was probably seen as too bad to be carried in the future by anyone.