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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.