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Top 30 Unrestricted Free Agents
As of July 13, 2012 :: 8:20pm ET

With the NHL Free Agent market quickly approaching (July 1, 2012), TFP's Top 30 UFA List, presented by Mark's, has returned. We have outlined the 30 unrestricted free agents rumored to be attracting the most interest, with information collected from various newspaper, radio and television reports, cyberspace and our own league-wide sources. This page will be updated frequently, as teams may be added and/or removed based on how everything plays out.

To celebrate the Free Agent season, in conjunction with all the hoopla from the Euro Cup,
Mark's is giving away an amazing package that includes their new Denver Hayes line and tickets to watch Liverpool play the Toronto FC. Click here to enter!

No. Player

Player Info.

Teams Reportedly Showing Interest Status
1
Zach Parise, LW
2011-12 Cap Hit: $6 million | Age: 27

There should be some news coming out this week regarding Parise and the Devils, but all signs point to the young sniper testing the UFA waters on July 1.

He's the most coveted free agent potentially available this summer, and he wants to sign with a winner.

Signed with MINNESOTA
2
Ryan Suter, D
2011-12 Cap Hit: $3.5 million | Age: 27

First prize for a lot of teams, Suter is the best defenseman on the market this July. He's ready to take calls and field offers, and you can be sure they'll be flying in left, right and center.

Several teams need help on the backend, and Suter's going to cash in large this summer.

  Signed with MINNESOTA
3
Alexander Semin, RW
2011-12 Cap Hit: $6.7 million | Age: 28

If you can't sign Parise, Semin might be your backup plan. Yes, he can be a pain in the ass at times, but when he's on, he can score likely nobody's business.

Semin's decision will come down to dollars and potential teammates. If he feels he can click with a couple of guys on a team, there's a better chance he'll sign there.

Free Agent
4
PA Parenteau, RW
2011-12 Cap Hit: $1.25 million | Age: 29

While Semin might be No. 2 on some team's lists, Parenteau is the Parise backup plan for everyone else.

After a breakthrough season with the Islanders, there's a good chance Parenteau will see some significant dollars coming his way. The market is thin, and that's good news for this young playmaker.

Signed with COLORADO
5
Ray Whitney, LW
2011-12 Cap Hit: $3 million | Age: 40

As much as Whitney loves playing in Phoenix, there's a good chance he'll see some much larger offers coming his way from other teams on the open market.

This next contract will likely be his last, and it might be in his best interest, on a personal/family standpoint, to take the cash.

Signed with DALLAS
6
Jaromir Jagr, RW
2011-12 Cap Hit: $3.3 million | Age: 40

Oh, this guy, again? Yeah, that's right, Jaromir Jagr will be playing teams against each other this summer, as he's set to field offers starting July 1.

While he's not against re-signing with Philadelphia, teams like Detroit and Boston could come back with a higher offer.

Signed with DALLAS
7
Shane Doan, RW
2011-12 Cap Hit: $4.55 million | Age: 35

At first glance, it looked as if Doan was a lock to re-sign with the Coyotes. However, given all of the uncertainty still surrounding team ownership, speculation is starting to run wild over Doan's future with the club. If Doan decides to part ways, several teams will be jumping at the chance to sign him, but he's not making his decision until July 8, at the earliest.

Free Agent
8
Matt Carle, D
2011-12 Cap Hit: $3.4375 million | Age: 27

Another stud blueliner, Carle wasn't able to sign a new deal with the Flyers. As a result, they brought in Luke Schenn from Toronto, presumably spelling the end of Carle in Philadelphia. Presumably.

No worries, though. He'll find a new home soon enough, and it'll come with a higher paycheck.

Signed with TAMPA BAY
9
Jason Garrison, D
2011-12 Cap Hit: $675,000 | Age: 27

As much as the Panthers want Garrison back in South Florida next season, he'll likely find more money via free agency.

He boasts an absolute friggin' laser beam from the point, and that has a number of teams drooling over him.

Signed with VANCOUVER
10
Jiri Hudler, RW
2011-12 Cap Hit: $2.875 million | Age: 28

It seems like Hudler's tenure in Detroit will officially come to an end this July, as the 28-year-old winger is expected to sign elsewhere.

Hudler should find his new annual salary well above the $3 million mark, which should be even more if he ever decides to play defense.

Signed with CALGARY
11
Martin Brodeur, G
2011-12 Cap Hit: $5.2 million | Age: 40

Believe it or not, Brodeur could be fielding offers from other teams July 1. It seems the financial struggles and ownership woes in New Jersey might make it problematic for the Devils to re-sign Brodeur.

If a deal isn't worked out with the Devils, teams like Tampa Bay and Chicago will come calling.

Signed with
NEW JERSEY
12
Ryan Smyth, LW
2011-12 Cap Hit: $6.25 million | Age: 36

This time, a trade might not result in Smyth's departure from Edmonton (sniff). He wants to re-sign with the Oilers, but GM Steve Tambellini isn't prepared to pay him what he wants, which is believed to be around $4M.

Expect Smyth to sign for around $3M - somewhere.

Signed with EDMONTON
13
Olli Jokinen, C
2011-12 Cap Hit: $3 million | Age: 33

Jokinen will be testing the waters. He could still re-sign with Calgary, but it seems more likely that he will sign a contract with a higher salary via free agency.

Teams looking for quality depth could use a player of Jokinen's abilities.

Signed with WINNIPEG
14
Guillaume Latendresse, LW
2011-12 Cap Hit: $2.5 million | Age: 25

The Wild opted not to tender Latendresse a qualifying offer, making him a UFA July 1. However, the two sides continue to work on a one-year deal.

Latendresse's concussion history has been a major concern for the Wild, and that could result in the 25-year-old testing the waters and signing elsewhere.

Signed with OTTAWA
15
Filip Kuba, D
2011-12 Cap Hit: $3.7 million | Age: 35

Kuba won't be back in Ottawa next season, but he's still a very valuable asset for a Stanley Cup contender.

His playoff experience is somewhat limited, but his veteran presence on the blueline should attract interest from several teams.

Signed with FLORIDA
16
Andrei Kostitsyn, RW/LW
2011-12 Cap Hit: $3.25 million | Age: 27

You can cross Nashville and Montreal off the list of teams interested in this young man. But other than those two clubs, there are others willing to take a big chance on this quasi-goal-scorer.

Kostitsyn possesses all the tools, he just can't seem to get them to work on a regular basis.

Free Agent
17
Kyle Wellwood, C
Cap Hit: $700,000 | Age: 29

A surprise this past season, Wellwood finally woke up and performed the way many had first envisioned. And rather than sticking around with the club that rejuvenated his career, he's going to test the market, which is within his rights to do so. Teams might be hesitant, though, to pay him big bucks until he can perform well on a consistent basis.

Signed with WINNIPEG
18
Jonas Gustavsson, G
2011-12 Cap Hit: $1.35 million | Age: 27

Gustavsson might not hit the open market if he comes to terms on a deal with the Jets, who acquired his rights from Toronto, but there seems to be some difficulties after the team re-signed Ondrej Pavelec.

However, if he can't agree to a new contract, a few teams will be interested in speaking with him July 1.

Signed with DETROIT
19
Dominic Moore, C
Cap Hit: $1.1 million | Age: 31

Another solid two-way asset, Moore was highly coveted at the trade deadline and should attract plenty of interest this summer.

Moore's next contract could be in the three-year range, hovering around $2.2 million in annual salary.

  Free Agent
20
Brandon Prust, LW
2011-12 Cap Hit: $800,000 | Age: 28

As much as Prust wants to re-sign with the Rangers, it seems his salary demands are too high for GM Glen Sather's liking.

As a result, Prust is poised to hit the UFA market and should be able to obtain his desired salary, believed to be in the $2 million range.

Signed with MONTREAL
21
Dustin Penner, LW
2011-12 Cap Hit: $4.25 million | Age: 29

It looks as if Penner will be testing the market July 1, even though he's already met with the Kings about re-signing at a much lesser salary.

Wherever he ends up, he'll have to take about half of what he earned this season, which likely means he'll sign a one- or two-year contract and prove his worth.

Signed with
LOS ANGELES
22
Sami Salo, D
2011-12 Cap Hit: $2 million | Age: 37

A veteran defenseman with two Olympic medals is an attractive asset for some teams, and Salo should receive plenty of attention July 1.

His salary should hover around the $2M mark, as teams are concerned over his health - he hasn't played in over 70 games in a single season in his last 7 seasons.

Signed with TAMPA BAY
23
Jordin Tootoo, RW
2011-12 Cap Hit: $1.25 million | Age: 29

An affective agitator, Tootoo might not be brought back by the Predators this summer.

There are a bunch of organizations that could use a plenty of his caliber, though many clubs would like to see his offensive production kicked up a few notches.

Signed with DETROIT
24
Carlo Colaiacovo, D
2011-12 Cap Hit: $2.125 million | Age: 29

Colaiacovo won't be back in St. Louis next season. The team wants to go in another direction, and as a result, the blueliner will be fielding offers from other clubs this summer.

Teams could use a sturdy defenseman to add to their roster, and Colaiacovo could fit the bill.

Free Agent
25
Colby Armstrong, RW
2011-12 Cap Hit: $3 million | Age: 29

Armstrong's had his battles with injuries over the last two seasons, his only two in Toronto, and that's a reason why the Maple Leafs are buying out his contract, making him a UFA.

Teams will be interested in taking a chance on him, though a shorter-term deal at less cash seems likely.

Signed with MONTREAL
26
Steve Sullivan, RW
2011-12 Cap Hit: $1.5 million | Age: 37

Sullivan wants to play at least one more season in the NHL, and he proved he can still perform well this year.

A number of clubs will have interest in Sullivan, who should see a slight raise after making $1.5 million with Pittsburgh.

Signed with PHOENIX
27
Petr Sykora, RW
2011-12 Cap Hit: $650,000 | Age: 35

Like Sullivan, Sykora proved his worth this year and should attract interest on the open market.

There's a chance he re-signs with the Devils, but another Cup contender could scoop him away from New Jersey this summer.

Free Agent
28
Ruslan Fedotenko, LW
2011-12 Cap Hit: $1.4 million | Age: 33

Fedotenko could sign a one-year deal with the Rangers this summer after testing the waters.

The two-time Cup champion led the Blueshirts with a plus-7 rating during the playoffs, and that'll help in making a case for himself as a strong, reliable two-way forward.

Signed with PHILADELPHIA
29
Daniel Winnik, LW
2011-12 Cap Hit: $950,000 | Age: 27

Winnik didn't light the lamp in San Jose after being traded there from Colorado, but his two-way play helped the club push their way into the playoffs.

It doesn't look like the Sharks will re-sign him in time, which means Winnik will be getting a few calls on July 1 about his services.

Free Agent
30
George Parros, RW
2011-12 Cap Hit: $875,000 | Age: 32

It's unclear if Parros will be back with the Ducks next season, which is a shame considering how huge of a fan favorite he is in Anaheim.

Several teams could use a healthy Parros for their fourth line. The energy and physicality he brings to the table can play a huge role for any contending club.

Signed with FLORIDA
THE WILDCARD
-
Kristian Huselius, LW/RW
2011-12 Cap Hit: $4.75 million | Age: 33

This one is a mystery. Teams would love to have him, when he's healthy. But there is a crapload of concern over his health, having injured his groin, pectoral muscle, ankle and hand (that we know of) over the last two seasons, playing in just 41 combined games. Someone will take a chance on him -- likely a one-year deal -- and it could pay huge dividends.

Free Agent

 

SIGNED/AGREED TO TERMS BEFORE JULY 1
5
Justin Schultz, D
2011-12 Cap Hit: N/A | Age: 21

Considered one of the best defensemen not in the NHL, Schultz is in a unique position -- he gets to test the UFA market at just 21 (he'll be 22 on July 6).

The Ducks weren't able to sign him, and their loss will be some team's gigantic gain.

Signed with EDMONTON
8
Dennis Wideman, D
2011-12 Cap Hit: $3.9375 million | Age: 29

After a solid All-Star performance this past season, Wideman should cash in significantly. There are plenty of teams interested in him, as he could see his salary climb into the $5 million range if a team can't land Suter.

Note: Capitals traded Wideman's rights to Calgary, who signed him to a 5-year contract.

Signed with CALGARY
12
Travis Moen, LW
2011-12 Cap Hit: $1.5 million | Age: 30

Considered one of the best physical, two-way forward available this summer, Moen could obtain a hefty contract if he hits the market.

The Canadiens want to get him locked up to a new deal, and he wants to stay, but whether the two sides can agree to terms before July 1 remains to be seen.

Signed with MONTREAL
21
Paul Gaustad, C
2011-12 Cap Hit: $2.3 million | Age: 30

Like Moore, Gaustad was a hot topic at the trade deadline. Though he didn't play exceptionally well when dealt to Nashville, several teams could use a pivot with his faceoff abilities.

It's unclear what type of salary Gaustad will command, though a slight raise is in order.

Signed with NASHVILLE
29
Shane O'Brien, D
2011-12 Cap Hit: $1.1 million | Age: 28

O'Brien wants to re-sign with the Avalanche, but it's unclear with he'll be able to agree to terms on a new contract with the club.

His gritty, hard-nosed style will catch the eyes of a number of teams, which will certainly play in O'Brien's favor when evaluating offers.

Signed with COLORADO

 

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