NHL Free Agents 2012: One Vital Free Agent Who Could Put Each Team over the Top

As we get closer to the start of NHL free agency on July 1, there is a lot of uncertainty because of the new collective-bargaining agreement and the possibility we might miss games due to another lockout.

One thing that will happen is teams still overpaying for players that they think will put them over the top. Let's look at one player that each team will pursue this summer to help reach its goals.

Anaheim Ducks: Olli Jokinen

With the need for more scoring in their top-nine forward group, adding a reliable center who can score goals and be a playmaker like Olli Jokinen wold be a smart signing for the Anaheim Ducks.

Boston Bruins: Ray Whitney

The Boston Bruins cannot afford to sign a big-name player to a large contract because young players such as Nathan Horton, Tyler Seguin, Milan Lucic and Brad Marchand are free agents after next season.

Signing a veteran like Ray Whitney to a smaller deal would be the perfect move for Boston.

Buffalo Sabres: Dustin Penner

Dustin Penner has really improved his game during the playoffs for the Los Angeles Kings and would be a good power-forward addition to a Buffalo Sabres team needing more size up front.

Calgary Flames: Bryan Allen

The Calgary Flames don't have a lot of salary cap space and need to get stronger on defense, which makes veteran blueliner Bryan Allen a perfect fit for them in free agency.

Carolina Hurricanes: Zach Parise

The Carolina Hurricanes aren't that far off from being a contending team, especially when you consider that they have an elite goalie in Cam Ward.

Signing an elite scoring winner, something the franchise hasn't had in a long time, would significantly improve the team's ability to score consistently.

Chicago Blackhawks: Bryan Allen

The Blackhawks are another team who could really use Bryan Allen's grit and size on the penalty kill. He's a veteran leader who add tremendous depth to the Chicago blue line.

Colorado Avalanche: Chris Kelly

Chris Kelly would give a young Colorado Avalanche team the leadership and two-way presence they need in the top-six forward group. He's also a quality playoff performer.

Columbus Blue Jackets: Dennis Wideman

The Columbus Blue Jackets won't find the No. 1 center they need in free agency, so building on their blue-line depth with an offensive-minded player such as Dennis Wideman would be a fantastic move.

Dallas Stars: Matt Carle

Matt Carle would give some good size and defensive play to a Dallas Stars team that needs more quality on the blue line.

Carle also has a lot of playoff experience, something the Stars also lack from many of their better players.

Detroit Red Wings: Ryan Suter

Ryan Suter would help the Detroit Red Wings remain as one of the top Stanley Cup contenders for many more years.

He's a franchise building block on defense and has strong offensive abilities too. Expect the Red Wings to pursue Suter as captain Nicklas Lidstrom's replacement in the near future.

Edmonton Oilers: Ryan Suter

The Edmonton Oilers are one of my dark-horse teams to sign Ryan Suter. The franchise hasn't had a top No. 1 defenseman since Chris Pronger in the 2005-06 season.

With all their great, young offensive talent, the Oilers just need a top-tier defenseman, and they are well on their way to playoff contention.

Florida Panthers: Kristian Huselius

Kristian Huselius would be the pure scorer that the Florida Panthers need to add in the offseason, provided he's healthy.

The Panthers don't need a huge offensive signing with elite prospect Jonathan Huburdeau ready to join the NHL roster next year.

Los Angeles Kings: Travis Moen

Travis Moen would add some quality depth and physical play to a Los Angeles Kings team that uses their strength to their advantage. He would also be an inexpensive signing for the Kings.

Minnesota Wild: Zach Parise

Zach Parise is from Minnesota and would be a major boost to the on- and off-the-ice success of the Minnesota Wild if he signed with them this summer.

Signing Parise would also prove to other free agents that the franchise is willing to spend the money needed to win championships.

Montreal Canadiens: Pavel Kubina

The Montreal Canadiens didn't have enough depth on the blue line to overcome multiple injuries they suffered to key defensemen last year, so adding more talent on defense is a priority for the franchise in free agency.

Veteran Pavel Kubina would be a nice addition to the team's defensive corps.

Nashville Predators: Re-Sign Ryan Suter

The Nashville Predators need to focus on re-signing Ryan Suter before they think about adding anyone else in free agency.

If they cannot convince Suter to pledge his future to the team, why would captain Shea Weber when he's an unrestricted free agent next summer?

New Jersey Devils: Re-Sign Zach Parise

Just like the Predators, the first priority for the New Jersey Devils is re-signing key players rather than making additions from outside the team.

Zach Parise is the face of the Devils, and it's very important that the Devils re-sign him for on- and off-ice reasons.

Maybe the Devils' run to the conference finals will make a decision to stay in New Jersey an easier one for him.

New York Islanders: Dennis Wideman

The New York Islanders need to add some more quality on the blue line during free agency, and Dennis Wideman's offensive ability would be a strong boost to the team's scoring production.

New York Rangers: Shane Doan

If Shane Doan decides to chase a Stanley Cup title, the best fit for him would be the New York Rangers, who could certainly use more depth on the wings.

It would be hard to see Doan leave the Coyotes, but the Rangers would be the best fit if he moves on from Phoenix.

Ottawa Senators: Alexander Semin

If Ottawa Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson retires this summer, then replacing him with a top-line talent like Alexander Semin would be a great idea.

Semin would thrive on a Senators team with several top-tier offensive players.

Philadelphia Flyers: Ryan Suter

Ryan Suter would make the Philadelphia Flyers one of the four teams with the best chance to win the Stanley Cup next year.

If captain Chris Pronger can't return from injury, then the Flyers need to add a No. 1 defenseman in the summer through free agency or via trade.

Phoenix Coyotes: Re-Sign Shane Doan

Re-signing Shane Doan, who is the captain and face of the franchise, must be priority one for the Phoenix Coyotes.

He is admired in the community and is still a top-tier player who can be productive offensively.

Pittsburgh Penguins: Brian Rolston

The Penguins have a star winger in James Neal signed long-term, but still need more quality scorers for centers Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal.

Brian Rolston is a veteran leader and would be a smart signing for Pittsburgh general manager Ray Shero.

San Jose Sharks: Brad Stuart

With Brad Stuart's ties to California and the Sharks' need for more physical defensemen, it's hard to imagine the Red Wings blueliner not signing with San Jose this summer.

St. Louis Blues: Alexander Semin

The Blues don't have many elite offensive talents who can score consistently and dominate the power play.

Alexander Semin would be a tremendous boost to the team's ability to put the puck in the net on a regular basis.

Tampa Bay Lightning: Tomas Vokoun

The Washington Capitals thought that Tomas Vokoun would solve their goaltending issues and lead them deep into the playoffs this year.

Injuries prevented him from doing that in Washington, but Vokoun could be that guy for the Lightning, who are a team not far away from being a Stanley Cup contender.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Chris Kelly

The Maple Leafs must address goaltending in the offseason, but they also need a strong two-way forward who can be a leader.

Chris Kelly fits that bill perfectly, but leaving Boston to go to Toronto might be hard for him considering the rivalry between the two teams.

Vancouver Canucks: Johnny Oduya

Johnny Oduya would give the Canucks another physical defenseman who can be productive offensively. He can also be a factor on the power play.

Washington Capitals: Dustin Penner

If the Capitals continue to use their "defense first" and physical style of play next season, adding a power forward such as Dustin Penner in free agency would be a great move.

Winnipeg Jets: Jamie Langenbrunner

The Winnipeg Jets should be able to make the playoffs next season, but they still need more players with postseason experience.

Adding a Stanley Cup winner that can play on special teams like Jamie Langenbrunner would be a smart move.