NHL Free Agency 2012: One Player from Each Team Who'll Be on the Move

With the NHL salary cap expected to go down after the completion of the new CBA this summer, teams will have to be even more strict with their spending when it comes to retaining their own free agents and signing ones from outside the organization.

This opens the door for some inevitable departures on every team. Let's look at one player from each NHL franchise who will be on the move this summer.

Anaheim Ducks: Jason Blake

Jason Blake is 38 years old and is no longer the offensive threat he used to be. The Anaheim Ducks need to get younger at forward, and bringing back Blake with a cap hit above $2.5 just isn't smart.

Boston Bruins: Joe Corvo

Joe Corvo has been awful for the Bruins this season and has been turning the puck over way too often in the defensive zone.

He's a liability on defense and isn't giving the team much offensively. He's been a healthy scratch for nearly every game over the last two weeks for Boston.

Buffalo Sabres: Brad Boyes

The Buffalo Sabres will gladly get rid of underachieving forward Brad Boyes and his $4 million salary cap hit this summer. 

He has scored just six goals in 64 games this season.

Calgary Flames: Cory Sarich

The Calgary Flames should turn to someone younger at Cory Sarich's spot on the blue line because Sarich isn't giving the team a physical presence in the defensive zone or adding much offensively.

Carolina Hurricanes: Bryan Allen

A veteran defenseman who is physical and kills penalties like Bryan Allen will be in high demand this summer, so expect the Carolina Hurricanes to be unwilling to match the price when someone overpays to sign him.

Chicago Blackhawks: Andrew Brunette

With just 27 points in 78 games this season, expect the Chicago Blackhawks to let 38-year-old forward Andrew Brunette walk in free agency. The team is better off calling up a young player to take his spot next year.

Colorado Avalanche: Matt Hunwick

With so many more valuable free agents to sign this summer, the Colorado Avalanche will not re-sign Matt Hunwick, especially since the team already has solid depth on the blue line.

Columbus Blue Jackets: Kristian Huselius

Kristian Huselius has fought with injuries this season and isn't giving the Columbus Blue Jackets enough offensive production when he's on the ice. Letting him go in the summer is a no-brainer for general manager Scott Howson.

Dallas Stars: Sheldon Souray

Expect a contending team that is unable to acquire veteran defenseman Sheldon Souray at the trade deadline to overpay to sign him in the summer. The Dallas Stars won't give a 35-year-old defenseman a ton of money, and rightly so.

Detroit Red Wings: Brad Stuart

After spending the last four years away from his children who live in California, it's unlikely Brad Stuart will re-sign with the Detroit Red Wings this summer. 

The San Jose Sharks could be a destination for Stuart in the offseason.

Edmonton Oilers: Sam Gagner

This is a tough one, because Sam Gagner is a really good top-six forward. However, with three high draft picks that will need new contracts soon, Gagner becomes expendable. If they get the No. 1 overall draft pick again, then Edmonton might need to hand out another big deal in a few years.

Florida Panthers: Scott Clemmensen

When elite goaltending prospect Jakub Markstrom becomes the starter next season, there will be no need for Scott Clemmensen, even as a backup for the Florida Panthers.

Los Angeles Kings: Dustin Penner

Of all the players in this article, Dustin Pennger of the Los Angeles Kings might be the least likely to re-sign with his current team.

His terrible play on offense, and an injury while eating pancakes, will spell the end of Penner's tenure in Los Angeles.

Montreal Canadiens: Travis Moen

Montreal Canadiens forward Travis Moen will receive a lot of interest from contending teams with the UFA market not very deep. The Canadiens must focus on re-signing goaltender Carey Price and defenseman PK Subban.

Minnesota Wild: Josh Harding

The Minnesota Wild will face a lot of competition to sign young goaltender Josh Harding, who could start on a number of NHL teams. The Wild would be better off finding a cheaper solution to back up for starter Niklas Backstrom.

Nashville Predators: Andrei Kostitsyn

Ryan Suter is an elite defenseman, but he won't re-sign with the team because they won't be Stanley Cup contenders in the future when they don't have offensive talent.

If the Predators give him a ton of money, they might not be able to re-sign Norris Trophy-caliber defenseman Shea Weber. 

Suter would be better off signing in Detroit or Philadelphia, where he would have a greater chance to win a championship and still make a ton of money.

New Jersey Devils: Zach Parise

Zach Parise wants to win a Stanley Cup and he won't do that with the New Jersey Devils. The Red Wings could be a fit for him, as well as the Minnesota Wild, who are close to his home. His Dad also used to be the captain of the old Minnesota North Stars.

New York Islanders: Steve Staios

The New York Islanders have no reason to bring 38-year-old defenseman Steve Staios back next season. He has just eight points in 64 games, and the team would be better off signing a younger defenseman that can develop into a fine player.

New York Rangers: John Scott

John Scott is nothing more than an enforcer, and with Brandon Prust being a reliable tough guy this season, the New York Rangers have absolutely no reason to bring Scott back.

Ottawa Senators: Alex Auld

The Ottawa Senators have solid goaltending depth in their organization, especially after the Ben Bishop trade with St. Louis. There's no reason for the Senators to re-sign backup goalie Alex Auld.

Philadelphia Flyers: Matt Carle

The Philadelphia Flyers would be better off giving Nicklas Grossman and Pavel Kubina extensions, or signing Ryan Suter from Nashville, than re-signing defenseman Matt Carle this offseason. 

Phoenix Coyotes: Ray Whitney

Ray Whitney is still an elite offensive player, which means he will receive a contract in the summer too rich for the Phoenix Coyotes, who are on a strict budget due to their ownership problems.

Pittsburgh Penguins: Brent Johnson

Brent Johnson is not a good backup goalie and cannot be a reliable performer when starter Marc-Andre Fleury needs a break. The Penguins need to find a better backup in the summer.

San Jose Sharks: Dominic Moore

The San Jose Sharks need to get younger for next season and some veteran players may be on their way out in the summer. Veteran forward Dominic Moore may be one of the older players to go, especially considering he's no longer a reliable top-six forward.

St. Louis Blues: Jason Arnott

The St. Louis Blues have some solid forward depth and don't really need veteran center Jason Arnott next season, especially if the team gains valuable experience with a deep playoff run this year.

Tampa Bay Lightning: Dwayne Roloson

Dwayne Roloson has been bad this season for the Tampa Bay Lightning, but it's the team's own fault for trusting a 42-year-old goalie to lead them to the playoffs.

It's clear that the Lightning will not re-sign him in the summer.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Jonas Gustavsson

It's no secret that the Toronto Maple Leafs are going to go after a top-tier goalie in the summer, and that will likely have to be done by trade.

Bringing back struggling netminder Jonas Gustavsson would be a bad idea for general manager Brian Burke.

Vancouver Canucks: Aaron Rome

If the Vancouver Canucks can be assured that Keith Ballard will be good to go at the start of next season, then there's no reason to bring Aaron Rome back. The Canucks can spend their money on better players than Rome, who is not a legitimate top-four defenseman.

Washington Capitals: Alexander Semin

The Washington Capitals won't re-sign Alexanser Semin if he wants $6 million or more per season in his new contract this summer. He's not worth that kind of money, especially given the goaltending issues the Capitals have.

When you look at the other overpaid deals given to forwards less talented than Semin so far this season, it's hard to imagine someone not giving Semin $6 million per season.

Winnipeg Jets: Eric Fehr

Eric Fehr's 2011 season has been plagued with injury, and that's a risk that makes bringing him back next year not worth it. The Winnipeg Jets need to find a reliable forward who can score consistently.