NHL Free Agents 2011: Predicting Where the Top 25 Remaining Free Agents Will Go

It's been almost two weeks since the start of NHL's Free Agency 2011. Since then, some of the most sought after free agents have been re-signed to their respective teams or signed to a new team.

For instance, Brad Richards found a new home with the New York Rangers for the next nine years, and Christian Ehrhoff with the Buffalo Sabres for the next ten.

However, for the teams who could still use more new players for 2011-12 and beyond, there are plenty of quality free agents left, from restricted free agents who are having difficulty signing with their respective team to unrestricted free agents who just haven't found a home yet, for whatever reason.

(Note: Restricted free agents were not included on this list.)

Here are the top 25 remaining free agents and possible destinations for them in 2011-12.

25. Chris Drury

The New York Rangers bought out the last $5 million of their injury-prone captain Chris Drury's five year contract.

Drury played only 24 games in 2010-11, missing the rest of the season while battling a knee injury.

He'll be 35 at the beginning of the season, but since he'll hopefully be healthy again, he'll be able to contribute to whatever team he ends up on.

Destination: Philadelphia Flyers

24. Alex Kovalev

Alex Kovalev returned to the Pittsburgh Penguins before the trade deadline 2010. In 20 games in Pittsburgh, he scored seven points and then two points in seven playoff games.

The 38-year-old didn't contribute as much as the Penguins would have liked, so they decided not to re-sign him.

He's still looking for another gig, but his older age will surely be a hindrance. Although, he may have a suitor in the Montreal Canadiens.

Destination: Montreal Canadiens

23. Nikolay Zherdev

Nikolay Zherdev has spent his career shuffling back and forth between playing in North America and playing in the KHL.

He doesn't put up great numbers, either.

In 56 games last season with the Philadelphia Flyers, Zherdev only put up 22 points. He only put up three points in eight playoff games.

Additionally, teams may not want to take a chance on him because of his reported off-ice issues this summer.  

Destination: KHL

22. Pascal Leclaire

Pascal Leclaire won't rejoin the Ottawa Senators, as he hasn't been productive for their team in years. His GAA hovers around 3, which for a team that doesn't score as much as they need to, they can't combat that.

Leclaire only played 14 games for the Sens last year.

He could make a good backup for another team, though.

Destination: St. Louis Blues

21. Marty Turco

Marty Turco has been rendered unnecessary for the Chicago Blackhawks after Corey Crawford's fantastic rookie season.

The veteran goaltender can still make a difference as a backup or veteran presence on a team, particularly one with a young or inconsistent starting goaltender.

Destination: Phoenix Coyotes

20. Ty Conklin

Ty Conklin spent 2010-11 backing up Jaroslav Halak in net for the St. Louis Blues.

The Blues don't seem interested in retaining Conklin's services in 2011-12, so he's hit the free agent market.

His GAA in 2010-11 was 3.22 and his save percentage was under .900; however, he could be better in the future, as a backup.

Destination: Detroit Red Wings

19. Jarkko Ruutu

Jarkko Ruutu's reputation is as more of a pest than as a useful forward. In 2010-11, Ruutu only had 12 points with the Ottawa Senators and Anaheim Ducks.

He didn't score in the three games he played in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

These are why there doesn't seem to be much, if any, interest in Ruutu. However, he could be good on a team's fourth line.

Destination: Finland

18. Nick Boynton

Nick Boynton hasn't had a stable home in his professional career, shuffling around between teams and the NHL and AHL.

However, if given the opportunity, Boynton could find ways to contribute to a team's blueline.

Plus, they could probably get him on a cheap, two-way contract, a good cap saver.

Destination: New York Islanders

17. Craig Rivet

After spending 14 years in the Montreal Canadiens organization (their system and in the NHL), Craig Rivet has played on three different teams in five years—the San Jose Sharks, Buffalo Sabres and Columbus Blue Jackets.

He didn't help the Blue Jackets defense as much as they were looking for, so the team is heading in another direction.

He could help on a team looking for a veteran defenseman.

Destination: New York Rangers

16. Shane O'Brien

Shane O'Brien has played for four different teams already in his NHL career, most recently playing with the Nashville Predators.

O'Brien could be a good fit for a team's lower defensive pairings.

Destination: AHL

15. Sami Lepisto

Sami Lepisto was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets by the Phoenix Coyotes at the trade deadline.

This past season was only his second full season in the NHL. He's still a young defenseman with lots of potential in front of him.

Destination: Back to the Phoenix Coyotes

14. Steve Staios

At 37 years old, Steve Staios is nearing the end of his professional career.

Still, the veteran defenseman still has something left to offer a new team: leadership and experience.

Destination: Re-signs with Calgary Flames

13. Brent Sopel

Brent Sopel played for the Atlanta Thrashers and Montreal Canadiens last year, registering only seven points.

However, the 34-year-old defenseman probably still has a few good years ahead of him and can bring leadership to his new team.

Destination: Chicago Blackhawks

12. J.P. Dumont

The Nashville Predators bought out the last year and $4 million of J.P. Dumont's contract this offseason, freeing him to enter free agency.

His production dropped tremendously from 2009-10 to 2010-11, but there's still hope for the 33-year-old forward.

He could be a good addition to a team's third or fourth line.

Destination: San Jose Sharks

11. Brendan Morrison

After years with the Vancouver Canucks, Brendan Morrison has moved around quite a bit, most recently playing for the Calgary Flames.

The 36-year-old forward brings experience to his position and to a team.

Destination: Re-signs with Calgary Flames

10. Mike Grier

Mike Grier is a veteran forward still available.

He's 36, and his production hovers around 20 points a season, but he has experience and could be a great addition to a third or fourth line.

Destination: Edmonton Oilers

9. Corey Stillman

Corey Stillman played for the Florida Panthers before being traded to the Carolina Hurricanes this past season.

Stillman's point totals have hovered around 40 points the past few years, which is more than many of the other free agents still left on the market.

At 37, he brings experience to the table as well.

Destination: Re-signs with the Carolina Hurricanes

8. Sergei Samsonov

Sergei Samsonov won the Calder Trophy after his rookie season, where he scored 22 goals and 47 points.

He's a had a few seasons shortened by injuries; however, when healthy, he generally averages about 40 points, at least.

Destination: Los Angeles Kings

7. Vaclav "Vinny" Prospal

Vinny Prospal is 36 years old, but he still puts up good numbers when healthy.

He averages around 50 points when healthy but only scored 23 in 29 games this past year. That's almost a point per game, though.

Destination: Re-signs with the New York Rangers

6. Kris Draper

Kris Draper is still available.

The 40-year-old forward may or may not be re-signed by Detroit. He has spent the majority of his career playing with the Wings, winning four Stanley Cups with them.

It's hard to imagine him playing anywhere else.

Destination: Re-signs with the Detroit Red Wings or retires

5. Scott Hannan

Scott Hannan is a quality defenseman. He doesn't put up a lot of points, as many of the best defensemen do, but he's good on defense.

It doesn't seem like Hannan will be re-signed by the Washington Capitals, so he's on the market.

Destination: Minnesota Wild

4. John Madden

John Madden's point production has gone down considerably in the past three seasons.

However, the 38-year-old center has the veteran presence many teams need down the middle.

Destination: Toronto Maple Leafs

3. Bryan McCabe

Bryan McCabe was a top defensive target at the trade deadline, and the New York Rangers grabbed him. However, McCabe didn't perform as they would have liked, so now the 36-year old veteran is looking for work again.

He's a great power play quarterback, too.

Destination: Boston Bruins

2. Ray Emery

Ray Emery made a comeback from a career-threatening injury to help the Anaheim Ducks get through the absence of Jonas Hiller this past season.

Despite coming back and playing well, Emery is surprisingly still on the market.

Destination: Minnesota Wild

1. Teemu Selanne

At 41 years old, Teemu Selanne may be one of the oldest players still active; however, he's still one of the best players period.

Last season, Selanne tallied 80 points, his best total since 2006-07. His 80 points was good for second on the team in points, behind Corey Perry.

After that kind of year, I don't know how you let him go.

Destination: Re-signs for another year in Anaheim