NHL Free Agents 2011: The Biggest Free-Agent Draw for Each NHL Franchise

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There are many reasons a prized free agent will choose a team.

Playing time and money are important, but the organization's reputation and location are also important.

Big-market teams tend to push the bright lights or great weather.

Small-market teams tend to lean on fan loyalty and team tradition.

Each team has a unique appeal, which is broken down in the next 30 slides.

Anaheim Ducks

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It's hard not to mention the weather in Anaheim.

However, the team has a history (2007 Championship) and name-brand players (George Parros, Teemu Selanne, etc.).

They've also got a great young core with players like Bobby Ryan and Cam Fowler that will keep the team competitive for years to come.

Boston Bruins

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The Bruins are an Original 6 team (joined in 1924) and the defending Stanley Cup Champions.

They are also located in sports-crazy Massachusetts.

Boston will have no trouble wooing anyone they can fit under the cap.

Buffalo Sabres

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Buffalo and most of Western New York loves this team.

Anyone who makes an impact as a Sabre will be well-appreciated.

Calgary Flames

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Another small-market team that is embraced by its fans, the Calgary Flames have a history of winning (1989) and name-brand players (Jarome Iginla).

The only knack against Calgary is that the pressure has forced the team to rebuild on the run, and the aging team can only play well for so long.

Carolina Hurricanes

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Being a part of the Research Triangle is intriguing for many players.

Additionally, the team has established a strong history since moving from Hartford, Conn.

The team has been to the Stanley Cup twice (2002: loss, 2006: win) and has had hockey legends Ron Francis and Rod Brind'Amour donning their unis.

Current stars Eric Staal, Cam Ward and Jeff Skinner are the next generation to carry along the tradition.

Chicago Blackhawks

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An Original Six team (joined 1926) in a big city that has been revived with strong management, the Blackhawks have become a popular destination for free agents.

The Madhouse on Madison is one of the loudest arenas in the league and has a unique tradition of standing and cheering during the National Anthem.

Colorado Avalanche

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Colorado has a (somewhat absurd) expectation of winning because they won in their first year after moving from Quebec (1996) and another five years later.

The Avs may not be selling out like they did early in their history; however, they have a great young core and are close to returning winning ways to the franchise.

Columbus Blue Jackets

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Columbus is a sports-crazy town, but obviously, "The" Ohio State is in the state's capital.

However, if the Blue Jackets can win more consistently, they could potentially captivate the entire city, something teams in Cleveland or Cincinnati would have a more difficult time doing.

Dallas Stars

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Nothing compares to football for the people of Dallas, but the Stars were a popular team at the turn of the century.

Their back-to-back Cups (1999: win, 2000: loss) are becoming a distant memory for all but the die-hard fans, but a young core should help the team make the American Airlines Center the place to be on hockey nights.

Detroit Red Wings

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The Detroit Red Wings are synonymous with winning in the NHL.

That alone will bring free agents to Motown.

Edmonton Oilers

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Five Stanley Cup Championships (1984, '85, '87, '88, '90, most of an expansion team) and a recent appearance in 2006 have created an expectation of winning in Edmonton.

The fans are upset with the team's recent performance, but Taylor Hall, Linus Omark, Jordan Eberle and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins should turn the team around in the near future.

Florida Panthers

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The Cats went to the Stanley Cup in 1996, but the main draw for this long-time bottom dweller (last playoff appearance: 1999-2000) is the location.

Sunny beaches and nightlife are a draw, but the team needs to start winning in order to get talented players to come to Miami.

Los Angeles Kings

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The Kings are one of four Second Six teams remaining from the 1967 Expansion Draft.

Great weather and the Hollywood atmosphere are big draws, but the team is also in position to get past the first round and could remind locals of the Wayne Gretzky era.

Minnesota Wild

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Minnesota has some of the most pure hockey fans in the world.

The state hockey championship fills up the Xcel Energy Center, and fans are still upset that the North Stars left.

Any player who wants to play in an arena full of hockey-crazed people would love to join the Wild.

Montreal Canadiens

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In a big-time hockey market in Canada, the Bell Centre is a hockey cathedral in Quebec.

The fans can be over-bearing for some players, but for the best of the best, this is one of the biggest and brightest stages in hockey.

Nashville Predators

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The Predators are a franchise on the rise and are becoming more appealing for free agents.

Nashville's culture and die-hard fans in the Cellblock are the biggest draw for the Preds.

New Jersey Devils

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The Devils have many championships (1995, 2000, 2003) and brand-name players (Martin Brodeur, Patrik Elias, Colin White) since arriving from Colorado in 1982.

The only problem with New Jersey is that the city is flooded with Rangers and Flyers fans, making sellouts few and far between.

However, recent woes will become overlooked, and sellouts will be more frequent if the team starts winning again.

New York Islanders

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The Islanders organization is far from their dominance in the early 1980s (won four-straight from 1980-83).

They have not won their division since 1988 and play in a shoddy arena.

However, the Islanders are committed to turning things around and already have many pieces (notably Jon Tavares, Kyle Okposo and Matt Moulson) in place to do so.

A player willing to take a risk on a rising East Coast team will definitely look at the Islanders.

New York Rangers

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It's the Big Apple, the Empire State.

New York is typically a top destination for free agents in any sport, and the Rangers have the personnel in place to be good for a long time.

Brad Richards, a top free agent this year, just joined this Original Six (joined 1926) team and could be the piece they need to get into the next round.

Ottawa Senators

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Playing in Canada's capital is appealing for many players and until recently, this team was winning regularly (President's Trophy: 2002-03).

There is work to be done for this expansion franchise (joined 1992), but winning is an expectation in Ottawa and things should turn around soon.

Philadelphia Flyers

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It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (or so they say), but odds are players want to play in front of the Flyers' nutcase fans that give the Wells Fargo Center a prison-like atmosphere.

The current team underwent a major overhaul in the offseason, but JVR and Claude Giroux have the capability of leading a team that will remind the Philly faithful of the Broad Street Bullies who won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1974-75.

Phoenix Coyotes

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Sunshine, simply put, is probably the biggest (most likely, only) draw to Phoenix.

The last two seasons have shown promise, but this franchise has a big hole to dig out of.

Pittsburgh Penguins

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Pittsburgh is a great sports town and the Penguins are well-loved.

Also, a player's ability to be part of the Mario Lemieux-saved the franchise has an appeal of its own.

 

UPDATE: It was brought to my attention by Bleacher Report member Chuck Gaston that Pittsburgh coach Dan Bylsma has been named "Coach most players want to play for" in a recent poll.

San Jose Sharks

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San Jose has great weather, but that is only half the story.

The Sharks have a rabid fanbase and an expectation to win every year.

The last time the team missed the playoffs was 2002-03.

St. Louis Blues

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From 1980-2004 the Blues made the playoffs every year...

but never won a Stanley Cup.

The Blues re-vamped their core last year, shipping off Erik Johnson for Chris Stewart and Kevin Shattenkirk.

St. Louis is a great sports town, and the Blues are a bubble team that is only going to get better.

Tampa Bay Lightning

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The Lightning franchise has recovered from the 2008 ownership fiasco and looks like it is coming closer to another Stanley Cup Championship (first: 2004) every year.

They've got to keep Stammer in town, however.

Odds are the weather, winning atmosphere and a new video game contract will keep him in Florida.

Toronto Maple Leafs

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Astonishingly loyal fans and the team's tradition (Original Six, joined: 1917) make Toronto the place to be for any hockey player that can handle the pressure.

Vancouver Canucks

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The Canucks also have great fans and are extremely close to a Stanley Cup Championship.

Players just need to remember to keep their cars in a garage.

Washington Capitals

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The Capitals have captured the hearts of sports fans in the DC area and Virgina.

Washington always enters the year with high expectations and are one good season away from accomplishing them.

Winnipeg Jets

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It will be passionate fans and a culture of winning, not location or a large arena (capacity: 15,015) that brings players to Winnipeg.