NHL Free Agency 2011: The One Free Agent Piece That Puts Every Team over the Top

By
Ernest Hindman
(Contributor) on June 29, 2011

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VANCOUVER, BC - FEBRUARY 21: Jaromir Jagr of Czech Republic reacts next to goalkeeper Evgeni Nabokov of Russia during the ice hockey men's preliminary game between Russia and Czech Republic on day 10 of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics at Canada Hockey
Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

The NHL offseason is only a few weeks old. For those diehards in every NHL city and the spaces between, the wait for the 2011-2012 season has seemed like counting seconds between Feb. 29's on the calendar.

With the draft in our rear-view mirror and the Winnipeg Jets back where they belong, free agency is the next blip before a long summer of questions.

"Did my team make the right move?"

"I cannot believe we landed that guy!"

"How could they miss out on so-and-so?"

"Our cap is looking so bad, I hope the Mayans were right about 2012!!"

These are some of the questions and phrases that expect to be uttered by NHL followers after the first few days of July.

On the eve of free agency, it seems like a good idea to pair a player up with every NHL team. The purpose is to find a guy who helps put every team over the top.

What does "over the top" mean?

It could mean the difference between making the playoffs or not.

For some it means changing the culture in a losing dressing room.

Others it could be the one guy needed to stay near the top of the mountain. 

Honestly, for this slideshow, believe it to mean whatever you want it to be.

Anaheim Ducks

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 06: Teemu Selanne #8 of the Anaheim Ducks celebrates his second period goal against the San Jose Sharks at Honda Center on April 6, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
Jeff Gross/Getty Images

Player: Teemu Selanne

Height: 6'0"

Weight: 196 lbs.

Position: RW

2010-2011 Team: Anaheim Ducks

2010-2011 Stats: 73 games, 31 goals, 49 assists, 49 PIM (regular season); 6 games, 6 goals, 1 assist, 12 PIM (playoffs)

What He Adds: Selanne is a sure Hall of Famer who can still fill up the net.

Boston Bruins

ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 13: Erik Cole #26 of the Carolina Hurricanes reacts after scoring the go-ahead goal in the final seconds of regulation against Bryan Little #10 and the Atlanta Thrashers at Philips Arena on February 13, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Player: Erik Cole

Height: 6'2"

Weight: 205 lbs.

Position: LW/RW

2010-2011 Team: Carolina Hurricanes

2010-2011 Stats: 82 games, 26 goals, 26 assists, 49 PIM (regular season)

What He Adds: A team that won the Cup does not need much tweaking, but Cole is a Recchi-type who could fit in well.

Buffalo Sabres

VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 10: Christian Ehrhoff #5 of the Vancouver Canucks looks on during Game Five of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Arena on June 10, 2011 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Player: Christian Ehrhoff

Height: 6'2"

Weight: 203 lbs.

Position: D

2010-2011 Team: Vancouver Canucks

2010-2011 Stats: 79 games, 14 goals, 36 assists, 52 PIM (regular season); 23 games, 2 goals, 10 assists, 16 PIM (playoffs)

What He Adds: Ehrhoff is a star on the blue line.

Calgary Flames

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 16: Steve Montador #4 of the Buffalo Sabres skates against the Philadelphia Flyers in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on April 16, 2011 in Philadelph
Paul Bereswill/Getty Images

Player: Steve Montador

Height: 6'0"

Weight: 211 lbs.

Position: D

2010-2011 Team: Buffalo Sabres

2010-2011 Stats: 73 games, 5 goals, 21 assists, 83 PIM (regular season); 6 games, 0 goals, 1 assist, 8 PIM (playoffs)

What He Adds: Montador has solid NHL blue-line work.

Carolina Hurricanes

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 17: Brian Boyle #22 of the New York Rangers is checked by Matt Bradley #10 of the Washington Capitals in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 17
Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Player: Matt Bradley

Height: 6'3"

Weight: 205 lbs.

Position: W

2010-2011 Team: Washington Capitals

2010-2011 Stats: 61 games, 4 goals, 7 assists, 68 PIM (regular season); 9 games, 0 goals, 0 assists, 4 PIM (playoffs)

What He Adds: Bradley brings size, leadership and a do-it-the-right-way approach.

Chicago Blackhawks

OTTAWA, CANADA - MARCH 15: Michael Rupp #17 of the Pittsburgh Penguins interferes with Craig Anderson #41 of the Ottawa Senators while trying to provide a screen during a game at Scotiabank Place on March 15, 2011 in Ottawa, Canada. (Photo by Phillip Ma
Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images

Player: Mike Rupp

Height: 6'5"

Weight: 230 lbs.

Position: C/LW

2010-2011 Team: Pittsburgh Penguins

2010-2011 Stats: 81 games, 9 goals, 8 assists, 124 PIM (regular season); 7 games, 1 goal, 1 assist, 4 PIM (playoffs)

What He Adds: Rupp is a great guy to have in the room, with size, grit and a potential screen on the power play.

Colorado Avalanche

BUFFALO, NY - FEBRUARY 16: Jean-Sebastien Giguere #35 of the Toronto Maple Leafs covers up on a shot by Tim Connolly #19 of the Buffalo Sabres at HSBC Arena on February 16, 2011 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)
Rick Stewart/Getty Images

Player: Jean-Sebastien Giguere

Height: 6'1"

Weight: 201 lbs.

Position: G

2010-2011 Team: Toronto Maple Leafs

2010-2011 Stats: 33 games, 11 wins, 1,633 MIN, 2.87 GAA, .900 SV percentage

What He Adds: A fresh start in goal, both for the team and Giguere.

Columbus Blue Jackets

MONTREAL, CANADA - APRIL 18: James Wisniewski #20 of the Montreal Canadiens turns up ice with the puck in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Boston Bruins during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre on April 18
Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images

Player: James Wisniewski

Height: 5'11"

Weight: 205 lbs.

Position: D

2010-2011 Team: New York Islanders, Montreal Canadiens

2010-2011 Stats: 75 games, 10 goals, 41 assists, 38 PIM (regular season); 6 games, 0 goals, 2 assists, 7 PIM (playoffs)

What He Adds: Wisniewski would be a spark on the blue line to go with the newly-acquired Jeff Carter up front.

Dallas Stars

NEW YORK - MARCH 22: Steve Eminger #44 of the New York Rangers skates against the Florida Panthers on March 22, 2011 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Rangers defeated the Islanders 1-0. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
Mike Stobe/Getty Images

Player: Steve Eminger

Height: 6'1"

Weight: 202 lbs.

Position: D

2010-2011 Team: New York Rangers

2010-2011 Stats: 65 games, 2 goals, 4 assists, 22 PIM (regular season)

What He Adds: Eminger is a relatively young defenseman to add to the lineup.

Detroit Red Wings

CHICAGO - MAY 23: Goaltender Evgeni Nabokov #20 of the San Jose Sharks makes a second period save while taking on the Chicago Blackhawks in Game Four of the Western Conference Finals during the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center on May 23
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Player: Evgeni Nabokov

Height: 6'0"

Weight: 200 lbs.

Position: G

2010-2011 Team: SKA Saint Petersburg (KHL)

2010-2011 Stats: 22 games, 8 wins, 1,230 MIN, 3.02 GAA, .888 SV percentage

What He Adds: Nabokov is a player who wants back in to the NHL, just not for the Islanders. While not a free agent, the Isles would send him packing for Detroit for the right price.

Edmonton Oilers

DETROIT, MI - APRIL 16: Ed Jovanovski #55 of the Phoenix Coyotes puts a glove in the face of Darren Helm #43 of the Detroit Red Wings in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Joe Louis Arena on April 16,
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Player: Ed Jovanovski

Height: 6'2"

Weight: 210 lbs.

Position: D

2010-2011 Teams: Phoenix Coyotes

2010-2011 Stats: 50 games, 5 goals, 9 assists, 39 PIM (regular season); 4 games, 0 goals, 1 assist, 2 PIM (playoffs)

What He Adds: Jovanovski has more than 1,000 games of NHL experience and leadership.

Florida Panthers

CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 23: Tomas Kopecky #82 of the Chicago Blackhawks moves to the puck under pressure from Sergei Samsonov #14 of the Florida Panthers at the United Center on March 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Blackhawks defeated the Panthers 4-0. (P
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Player: Tomas Kopecky

Height: 6'3"

Weight: 200 lbs.

Position: C/RW

2010-2011 Teams: Chicago Blackhawks

2010-2011 Stats: 81 games, 15 goals, 27 assists, 60 PIM (regular season); 1 game, 0 goals, 0 assists, 0 PIM (playoffs)

What He Adds: Kopecky is a skill player the team hopes can take the next step.

Los Angeles Kings

BOSTON, MA - MAY 23: Simon Gagne #12 of the Tampa Bay Lightning controls the puck against David Krejci #46 of the Boston Bruins in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on May 23, 2011 in Boston,
Elsa/Getty Images

Player: Simon Gagne

Height: 6'1"

Weight: 193 lbs.

Position: LW

2010-2011 Teams: Tampa Bay Lightning

2010-2011 Stats: 63 games, 17 goals, 23 assists, 20 PIM (regular season); 15 games, 5 goals, 7 assists, 4 PIM (playoffs)

What He Adds: Gagne is a talented but enigmatic player to pair with their set of skilled forwards.

Minnesota Wild

NEWARK, NJ - FEBRUARY 16: Jussi Jokinen #36 of the Carolina Hurricanes skates against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on February 16, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Player: Jussi Jokinen

Height: 5'11"

Weight: 190 lbs.

Position: LW

2010-2011 Team: Carolina Hurricanes

2010-2011 Stats: 70 games, 19 goals, 33 assists, 24 PIM (regular season)

What He Adds: Jokinen is a talented forward who can also earn some extra points in the shootout.

Montreal Canadiens

TAMPA, FL - APRIL 25: Maxime Talbot #25 of the Pittsburgh Penguins has a disagreement with Teddy Purcell #16 of the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the St. Pete Times Foru
Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images

Player: Maxime Talbot

Height: 5'11"

Weight: 191 lbs.

Position: C/W

2010-2011 Teams: Pittsburgh Penguins

2010-2011 Stats: 82 games, 8 goals, 13 assists, 66 PIM (regular season); 7 games, 1 goal, 3 assists, 14 PIM (playoffs)

What He Adds: Talbot brings hustle, penalty killing, timely goals and leadership.

Nashville Predators

WASHINGTON , DC - APRIL 23: Jason Arnott #44 of the Washington Capitals looks on during a face off against of the New York Rangers in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Verizon Center on Apri
Len Redkoles/Getty Images

Player: Jason Arnott

Height: 6'5"

Weight: 220 lbs.

Position: C

2010-2011 Teams: New Jersey Devils, Washington Capitals

2010-2011 Stats: 73 games, 17 goals, 14 assists, 40 PIM (regular season); 9 games, 1 goal, 5 assists, 2 PIM (playoffs)

What He Adds: Arnott adds leadership, potential for additional needed goal-scoring and defensive responsibility.

New Jersey Devils

NEWARK, NJ - APRIL 02: Zach Parise #9 of the New Jersey Devils waits for a faceoff during an NHL hockey game against the Montreal Canadians at the Prudential Center on April 2, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)
Paul Bereswill/Getty Images

Player: Zach Parise

Height: 5'11"

Weight: 195 lbs.

Position: LW

2010-2011 Team: New Jersey Devils

2010-2011 Stats: 13 games, 3 goals, 3 assists, 6 PIM (regular season)

What He Adds: When healthy, Parise is a legitimate scoring threat and top-tier player.

New York Islanders

TAMPA, FL - MAY 21: Sean Bergenheim #10 of the Tampa Bay Lightning controls the puck in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Bruins during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at St Pete Times Forum on May 21, 2011 in Tampa, Florida
Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

Player: Sean Bergenheim

Height: 5'10"

Weight: 205 lbs.

Position: W

2010-2011 Team: Tampa Bay Lightning

2010-2011 Stats: 80 games, 14 goals, 15 assists, 56 PIM (regular season); 16 games, 9 goals, 2 assists, 8 PIM (playoffs)

What He Adds: Bergenheim adds timely goals, grit and hard work.

New York Rangers

VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 15: Michael Ryder #73 celebrates with the Stanley Cup after defeating the Vancouver Canucks in Game Seven of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Arena on June 15, 2011 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The Boston Bruins de
Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Player: Michael Ryder

Height: 6'0"

Weight: 186 lbs.

Position: RW

2010-2011 Team: Boston Bruins

2010-2011 Stats: 79 games, 18 goals, 23 assists, 26 PIM (regular season); 25 games, 8 goals, 9 assists, 8 PIM (playoffs)

What He Adds: Ryder brings talent at forward, potential help on the power play and championship experience. He may not be Brad Richards, but he is one of the top players available in this year's free agent class.

Ottawa Senators

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 30: Nikolay Zherdev #93 of the Philadelphia Flyers skates against the Boston Bruins in Game One of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Wells Fargo Center on April 30, 2011 in Philadelp
Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Player: Nikolay Zherdev

Height: 6'2"

Weight: 203 lbs.

Position: RW

2010-2011 Team: Philadelphia Flyers

2010-2011 Stats: 56 games, 16 goals, 6 assists, 22 PIM (regular season); 8 games, 1 goal, 2 assists, 2 PIM (playoffs)

What He Adds: Zherdev is a talented, but enigmatic forward. To turn things around, Ottawa may have to take a chance like this.

Philadelphia Flyers

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 02: Ville Leino #22 of the Philadelphia Flyers sets up in front of the net in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Boston Bruins during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on May 2, 2011 in
Paul Bereswill/Getty Images

Player: Ville Leino

Height: 6'1"

Weight: 183 lbs.

Position: F

2010-2011 Team: Philadelphia Flyers

2010-2011 Stats: 81 games, 19 goals, 34 assists, 22 PIM (regular season); 11 games, 3 goals, 2 assists, 0 PIM (playoffs)

What He Adds: Leino is a skilled forward who should see an increased role based on the amount of goals traded away from the Philly lineup in the past few weeks.

Phoenix Coyotes

PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 27: Tomas Vokoun #29 of the Florida Panthers makes a save against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Consol Energy Center on March 27, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

Player: Tomas Vokoun

Height: 6'0"

Weight: 195 lbs.

Position: G

2010-2011 Team: Florida Panthers

2010-2011 Stats: 57 games, 22 wins, 3,224 MIN, 2.55 GAA, .922 SV percentage

What He Adds: Vokoun could replace Ilya Bryzgalov and give the team a chance to stay afloat—on the ice, I mean.

Pittsburgh Penguins

1 Dec 2000: A close up of Jaromir Jagr #68 of the Pittsburgh Penguins as he is ready on the ice during the game against the Buffalo Sabres at the HSBC Arena in Buffalo, New York. The Penguins defeated the Sabres 6-4.Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart /Allsp
Rick Stewart/Getty Images

Player: Jaromir Jagr

Height: 6'3"

Weight: 242 lbs.

Position: RW

2010-2011 Team: Avangard Omsk (KHL)

2010-2011 Stats: 49 games, 19 goals, 31 assists, 48 PIM (regular season); 14 games, 2 goals, 7 assists, 8 PIM

What He Adds: Jagr is a capable scoring threat to play on either of the top two lines and power play; it might also repair his image going back to the city where his NHL career started.

San Jose Sharks

VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 15: Tomas Kaberle #12 of the Boston Bruins celebrates in the locker room after defeating the Vancouver Canucks in Game Seven of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Arena on June 15, 2011 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. T
Harry How/Getty Images

Player: Tomas Kaberle

Height: 6'1"

Weight: 214 lbs.

Position: D

2010-2011 Teams: Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins

2010-2011 Stats: 82 games, 4 goals, 43 assists, 18 PIM (regular season); 25 games, 0 goals, 11 assists, 4 PIM (playoffs)

What He Adds: Kaberle is a skilled defenseman who could help reshape the blue-line, help on power play and add championship experience.

St. Louis Blues

VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 15: Raffi Torres #13 of the Vancouver Canucks fights with Shawn Thornton #22 of the Boston Bruins during Game Seven of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Arena on June 15, 2011 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by
Rich Lam/Getty Images

Player: Raffi Torres

Height: 6'0"

Weight: 216 lbs.

Position: LW

2010-2011 Team: Vancouver Canucks

2010-2011 Stats: 80 games, 14 goals, 15 assists, 78 PIM (regular season); 23 games, 3 goals, 4 assists, 28 PIM (playoffs)

What He Adds: A pot-stirring forward, Torres adds character to a young lineup.

Tampa Bay Lightning

LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 22: Steve Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning poses with the cover of EA Sports' NHL 12 video game during the 2011 NHL Awards at The Pearl concert theater at the Palms Casino Resort June 22, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Bruce
Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Player: Steven Stamkos

Height: 6'1"

Weight: 188 lbs.

Position: C

2010-2011 Team: Tampa Bay Lightning

2010-2011 Stats: 82 games, 45 goals, 46 assists, 74 PIM (regular season); 18 games, 6 goals, 7 assists, 6 PIM (playoffs)

What He Adds: Stamkos will be a perennial Art Ross, Maurice Richard and Hart Memorial Trophy candidate.

Toronto Maple Leafs

GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 29: Brad Richards #91 of the Dallas Stars during the NHL game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena on March 29, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Stars 2-1 in an overtime shoot out. (Photo by Christian
Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Player: Brad Richards

Height: 6'0"

Weight: 198 lbs.

Position: C

2010-2011 Team: Dallas Stars

2010-2011 Stats: 72 games, 28 goals, 49 assists, 24 PIM (regular season)

What He Adds: Richards is an excellent playmaker and the top free agent of this class.

Vancouver Canucks

DETROIT, MI- APRIL 13: Radim Vrbata #17 of the Phoenix Coyotes skates against the Detroit Red Wings in Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Joe Louis Arena on April 13, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan.(Pho
Dave Sandford/Getty Images

Player: Radim Vrbata

Height: 6'1"

Weight: 190 lbs.

Position: RW

2010-2011 Team: Phoenix Coyotes

2010-2011 Stats: 79 games, 19 goals, 29 assists, 20 PIM (regular season); 4 games, 2 goals, 3 assists, 0 PIM (playoffs)

What He Adds: Vrbata is a player with good scoring ability who may raise his game with new surroundings and linemates.

Washington Capitals

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 19: Troy Brouwer #22 of the Chicago Blackhawks checks Keith Ballard #4 of the Vancouver Canucks in Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center on April 19, 2011 in Chi
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Player: Troy Brouwer

Height: 6'2"

Weight: 214 lbs.

Position: LW

2010-2011 Team: Chicago Blackhawks

2010-2011 Stats: 79 games, 17 goals, 19 assists, 38 PIM (regular season); 7 games, 0 goals, 0 assists, 11 PIM (playoffs)

What He Adds: Brouwer brings size and ability, along with championship experience.

Winnipeg Jets

16 Jan 1993: Rightwinger Teemu Selanne of the Winnipeg Jets looks on during a game against the Los Angeles Kings at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. Mandatory Credit: Ken Levine /Allsport
Ken Levine/Getty Images

Player: Teemu Selanne

Height: 6'0"

Weight: 196 lbs.

Position: RW

2010-2011 Team: Anaheim Ducks

2010-2011 Stats: 73 games, 31 goals, 49 assists, 49 PIM (regular season); 6 games, 6 goals, 1 assist, 12 PIM (playoffs)

What He Adds: Selanne is a sure Hall of Famer who can fill up the net still.

Okay, so I used him twice. If Winnipeg can get their team back, I say dream big and go for "The Finnish Flash" for one last run.

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