Over the past few seasons, Zybnek Michalek has been one of the top shot blockers in the NHL, including leading the league in 2008-09 with 271.

Michalek is a free agent this summer, coming off of a four year deal that paid him $1.25 million per year.

He told the Arizona Republic that he loves Phoenix but needs to think about his family:

“I’ve been here five years now, and I really enjoy myself around this team, and I like the city, made some great friends, and it would be tough leaving,” Michalek said. “But at the same time, I know I have to think about my family. I worked so hard my whole life to deserve this chance and opportunity, and we’ll have to make some fairly tough decisions . . . and whatever happens, happens.”

…Seems like he may be ready to leave Phoenix and the uncertainty of it all. He is a good player and a defensive guy, sort of like Anton Volcehnkov. In fact, Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal thinks that Michalek will end up in Ottawa, most likely replacing Volchenkov so that he can play with his older brother Milan.

His brother is one of my favorite players in the league and is signed in Ottawa through 2014. Seems to make sense as a fit