NHL Free Agency: Preview and Big Board for All Free-Agent Signings

The NHL free agency period starts on July 1, but teams are already starting to take care of some of their in-house free agents. However, all the big-name players are set to test the free agent waters on July 1.

Here is a big board for some of the top free agents and information about each player. As each player signs a new deal, the board will be updated, so you can keep track of all the lunacy of NHL free agency.

Salary Cap Information for Each Team (via Cap Geek)

Team		Payroll	Bonuses	Cap Space	Roster
Colorado Avalanche		$30,208,333	$2,860,000	$40,091,667	12
Nashville Predators		$32,154,167	$885,000	$38,145,833	12
Phoenix Coyotes		$34,858,333	$1,062,500	$35,441,667	17
St. Louis Blues		$35,895,833	$3,600,000	$34,404,167	16
Winnipeg Jets		$36,867,959	$912,500	$33,432,042	14
Ottawa Senators		$37,285,833	$425,000	$33,014,167	15
New York Islanders		$39,132,333	$2,035,000	$31,167,667	15
Florida Panthers		$40,644,500	$2,300,000	$29,655,500	16
New Jersey Devils		$42,254,166	$262,500	$28,045,834	13
Edmonton Oilers		$42,849,999	$6,337,500	$27,450,001	16
Dallas Stars		$43,970,000	$1,105,000	$26,330,000	16
Detroit Red Wings		$44,042,045	$37,500	$26,257,955	18
Montreal Canadiens		$44,735,476	$300,000	$25,564,524	13
Anaheim Ducks		$44,860,000	$1,440,000	$25,440,000	15
Washington Capitals		$45,032,349	$320,000	$25,267,651	17
Carolina Hurricanes		$45,736,667	$560,000	$24,563,333	19
Tampa Bay Lightning		$47,746,916	$1,600,000	$22,553,084	15
Minnesota Wild		$48,630,277	$1,705,000	$21,669,723	17
New York Rangers		$49,183,334	$1,250,000	$21,116,666	15
Columbus Blue Jackets		$49,883,809	$1,425,000	$20,416,191	19
Calgary Flames		$50,293,332	$3,105,000	$20,006,668	16
Los Angeles Kings		$54,245,227	$130,000	$16,054,773	20
Vancouver Canucks		$55,078,333	$0	$15,221,667	17
San Jose Sharks		$55,564,167	$0	$14,735,833	14
Toronto Maple Leafs		$56,703,333	$212,500	$13,596,667	17
Buffalo Sabres		$58,537,856	$1,060,000	$11,762,144	19
Philadelphia Flyers		$61,218,373	$3,555,000	$9,081,627	20
Chicago Blackhawks		$61,490,128	$697,500	$8,809,872	22
Pittsburgh Penguins		$61,566,667	$0	$8,733,333	19
Boston Bruins		$64,927,976	$3,700,000	$5,372,024	21

Now that you know how much each team has to work with this off-season, here is a short breakdown on some off the biggest names on the board.

Biggest Names:

• Zach Parise - Parise is the top forward in the free agent class. He is a former 40-goal scorer with tons of speed and talent. The Devils likely cannot afford to keep him, so he should get a huge pay day.

• Ryan Suter - Suter is the top defenseman in the free agency pool. The Nashville Predators are attempting to re-sign him, but it is expected that he will hit free agency on July 1.

• Justin Schultz - Schultz is property of the Anaheim Ducks, but he is set to become a U.F.A. shortly before the NHL Draft. At that point, he is free to negotiate with any team he wants, but he can't sign a deal until July 1.

• Alex Semin - The Russian superstar will not be back in Washington, and there is a strong chance he could end up in the KHL next year.

• Matt Carle - Carle assumed the role of the Philadelphia Flyers' top defenseman when Chris Pronger suffered a season-ending injury. He is an offensive-minded defenseman, a minutes eater and a player due for a good raise this offseason.

Aged Veterans:

• Shane Doan - Doan has played his entire career with the Coyotes, so don't expect him to sign anywhere else unless he is blown away with a massive offer.

• Teemu Selanne - The Finnish Flash is one of the league's greatest players of all time. However, will he return for one more season with the Anaheim Ducks, will he jump ship to another team or will he retire and ride off into the sunset?

• Ray Whitney - Whitney is the most likely veteran to change teams. He had an explosive season and could join a bona fide contender for one last run at the Stanley Cup.

• Jaromir Jagr - Jagr returned from the KHL and had a solid season for the Flyers. Will he return to Philly for another year or will he hit the market ?

Wild Cards:

• P.A. Parenteau - Parenteau had an explosive 2011-12 campaign and based on his point totals, he is currently underpaid by the Islanders. If Parenteau signs with another team, he is certain to get a massive payday, but will he still be successful on a different team?

• Dustin Penner - Penner had a horrid regular season but a great playoff run with the Kings. If Los Angeles looks to cut salary in an attempt to free up space for Zach Parise, Penner could get a solid pay day with a new franchise.

Potential Steals:

•Jarret Stoll - Stoll is fresh off a Stanley Cup win with the L.A. Kings, and there is a chance the team could cut salary. Stoll is a versatile player, a face-off specialist and can play on special teams. Teams looking for a solid second/third line center could get Stoll early while other teams pursue the big names.

•Jiri Hudler - Hudler is a solid two-way player who can provide offensively. He had 50 points in the 2011-12 season and can play special teams if needed. Hudler could be a really nice pickup.

•Paul Gaustad - Gaustad is a face-off ace and a solid grinder. He was acquired for a premium at the deadline, but will go for less this offseason.

• Samuel Pahlsson - Pahlsson is a grizzled veteran with Stanley Cup experience. He is a solid third line player who would add leadership and depth to any team.

•Olli Jokinen - Jokinen rebounded well during his second stint with the Calgary Flames. He is coming off a solid season and could generate interest from a team desperate for secondary scoring.

Player	Team	11-12 Cap Hit	12-13 Cap Hit	New Contract	New Team
Zach Parise	NJD	$6.0
Ryan Suter	NSH	$3.5
Alex Semin	WSH	$6.7
Ryan Smyth	EDM	$6.25
Martin Brodeur	NJD	$5.2
Shane Doan	PHX	$4.55
Dustin Penner	LAK	$4.25
Teemu Selanne	ANA	$4.0
Jarret Stoll	LAK	$3.6
Barret Jackman	STL	$3.625
Matt Carle	PHI	$3.437
Jaromir Jagr	PHI	$3.3
Olli Jokinen	CGY	$3.0
Ray Whitney	PHX	$3.0
Jiri Hudler	DET	$2.875
Paul Gaustad	NSH	$2.3
Samuel Pahlsson	VAN	$2.65
P.A. Parenteau	NYI	$1.25
Jordan Schultz	ANA	N/A

The free agency period is always exciting, so bookmark this on your computer to check back once the free agency fun begins. If there is a player that should be included on the big board, leave a comment below.