NHL Free Agency: Predicting Where the Top 10 Free Agents Will Sign

With teams starting to be eliminated from the 2012 NHL playoffs, it's time to look at the top free agents of the summer and predict where they will sign.

Even though the class of unrestricted free agents this season isn't very deep, there are quite a few stars who could really change the fortunes of a team around.

Let's look at the top UFAs and where they will sign in the offseason.

Ryan Suter: Detroit Red Wings

Ryan Suter helped the Nashville Predators eliminate the Detroit Red Wings from the playoffs in five games last week, but the star defenseman could be playing in Hockeytown next year.

With Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom possibly retiring and veteran defenseman Brad Stuart set to hit free agency, Detroit will have a need on the blueline in the offseason.

Suter is a franchise defenseman with his strong defensive skills, physical play and offensive abilities on the powerplay.

With a lot of salary cap space, a winning tradition and a need for a top pairing d-man, expect Suter to sign in Detroit.

Zach Parise: Minnesota Wild

Zach Parise will sign with the Minnesota Wild and be an NHL star in his home state, just like his Dad was for the old Minnesota North Stars franchise.

Parise is a legitimate 35-goal scorer and a quality playmaker as well. He's just hitting the prime of his career and will be a star forward for many more years.

With Parise on their roster, along with some talented prospects like Mikael Granlund, the Wild would make the playoffs next year.

Alexander Semin: Colorado Avalanche

The Colorado Avalanche would be a playoff team next year if they added a talented veteran scorer such as Alexander Semin.

With Matt Duchene, Ryan O'Reilly and Gabriel Landeskog already in the mix, the Avalanche have a solid core of young forwards who would really benefit from having another veteran around.

Tomas Vokoun: Toronto Maple Leafs

Since I can't imagine either Vancouver Canucks goalies going to the Toronto Maple Leafs this season, general manager Brian Burke might be willing to sign Tomas Vokoun on a one-year deal until he can find a young goaltender to build around.

Shane Doan: New York Rangers

I expect the New York Rangers to make a play for Zach Parise, but if they miss on him, then veteran winger Shane Doan would be a good fit with the Blueshirts on a short-term contract.

Doan is loved in Phoenix and has been a solid Coyotes player for many years, but he has yet to win a Stanley Cup—as a 35-year-old player his time to do that is running out.

The Rangers will be title contenders for the remainder of Doan's NHL career.

Ray Whitney: Boston Bruins

The Boston Bruins need a reliable goal scorer and since players like Brian Rolston and Benoit Pouliot have expiring contracts this summer, the Bruins will need depth on the wing badly this summer.

With the uncertainty surrounding Nathan Horton's career because of his battle with concussions, the Bruins must sign a top six forward in the offseason.

Whitney is 39 years old but has proven that he can still be a fantastic playmaker and a consistent offensive player. His veteran presence and leadership would fit in great on the Bruins.

Brad Stuart: San Jose Sharks

After failing to win the Stanley Cup again this season,the San Jose Sharks might blow up their team come summer time—one area they must improve is their talent on defense.

Brad Stuart is a veteran player who plays physical and excels in his own zone. He would be a great fit in San Jose on a short-term deal.

Chris Kelly: Re-Signs with Boston Bruins

Chris Kelly is one of the more underrated forwards in the NHL and is a fabulous defensive player with many leadership qualities.

He scored a career-high 20 goals this season for the Bruins and played on the powerplay and penalty kill units as well.

Kelly has tremendous value to the Bruins, who need to re-sign him in the offseason unless he demands crazy money.

Olli Jokinen: Re-Signs with Calgary Flames

The Calgary Flames might enter a full rebuild next season, which is probably best for the organization, but considering their lack of talent at center, re-signing veteran Olli Jokinen makes sense.

He led the team in points this year and will be a solid offensive contributor for several more seasons.

Dustin Penner: Toronto Maple Leafs

Dustin Penner's tenure with the Los Angeles Kings has been a disaster, but since he hasn't produced at a high level this season, he wouldn't cost the Toronto Maple Leafs a ton of money.

Penner still has a high level of offensive ability and would give the Leafs another top-six forward, which they really need.

He also has some toughness and likes to play in front of the net and score the dirty goals, which are two things lacking from many Leafs players.