NHL Free Agent Rumors: Top 15 First-Line Scorers and Where They'll Go

With many NHL teams emphasizing defense and shot blocking more than ever these days, having top-line goal scorers to combat this strategy is crucial to playoff success.

This year's free-agent class has several first-line caliber offensive players who will make a strong addition to the teams that sign them.

Let's look at the top 15 free-agent scorers and where they will play next season.

Zach Parise: Detroit Red Wings

The New Jersey Devils are one win away from the Stanley Cup Final, but Zach Parise may not be with the team next year even if they win the cup.

Parise has a chance to make a lot of money and play on a title contender for many years by exploring free agency this summer.

With the Detroit Red Wings needing a young scorer in his prime, look for them to be major players in the Parise sweepstakes.

Alexander Semin: KHL

Alexander Semin is a phenomenal talent, but too often he takes long stretches of games off and doesn't show the level of consistency you would expect from a star scorer.

No team will give him a massive contract when he's just not reliable. I expect him to sign with a KHL team in Russia where he can get a ton of ice time and make a ton of money.

Olli Jokinen: Calgary Flames

Unless the Flames want their offense to be abysmal next year, they will re-sign their second-best scorer this season, Olli Jokinen.

Shane Doan: Vancouver Canucks

With all the uncertainty surrounding the Phoenix Coyotes franchise, it's time for Shane Doan to move on from the team and find a team that he can win the Stanley Cup with.

The Vancouver Canucks need a physical forward who can provide offense and leadership, making Doan a perfect fit for them.

Ray Whitney: Boston Bruins

Ray Whitney is one of those veterans who can be the final piece of a championship puzzle with his veteran savvy and offensive talents.

The Bruins need another scoring winger with Nathan Horton still recovering from a concussion.

Dustin Penner: Toronto Maple Leafs

Dustin Penner's fantastic performances in the playoffs this year should make the Toronto Maple Leafs have interest in him this summer as a talented power forward.

Jaromir Jagr: Philadelphia Flyers

I can't see Jaromir Jagr leaving the Philadelphia Flyers after a very successful season, considering the strong chemistry he built with linemates Claude Giroux and Scott Hartnell.

Kris Versteeg: Florida Panthers

The Florida Panthers cannot allow their success this season to take a hit by letting talented winger Kris Versteeg walk in free agency, especially as a restricted free agent.

Matt Duchene: Colorado Avalanche

Matt Duchene is going to be an elite center in the near future and the Colorado Avalanche would be foolish not to re-sign him to a long-term deal this summer.

He will be a restricted free agent on July 1.

Chris Stewart: Vancouver Canucks

If the Vancouver Canucks can't sign Shane Doan, then Chris Stewart would be a solid addition to the Canucks squad that is in need of more physical players on the top two lines.

Chris Stewart is a restricted free agent, but after a disappointing year offensively, the Blues may not want to re-sign him to a long-term deal at a good-sized salary cap hit.

T.J. Oshie: St. Louis Blues

T.J. Oshie is a good, young center who the Blues cannot give up on. He has a solid two-way game and is a productive offensive player when healthy.

As a restricted free agent, I don't envision Oshie leaving the Blues this summer.

Evander Kane: Winnipeg Jets

The Winnipeg Jets don't have much offensive firepower, so signing leading goal scorer and restricted free-agent Evander Kane to a long-term deal would be a smart move.

Kane has improved his goal scoring in each of the past three seasons, scoring 14 in 2009-10, 19 in 2010-11 and 30 this year.

Jamie Benn: Dallas Stars

Jamie Benn is a superstar in the making and there's no chance that the Dallas Stars allow him to leave this summer as a restricted free agent when he's a franchise player.

Kristian Huselius: Pittsburgh Penguins

Kristian Huselius would score a lot of goals alongside playmaking centers Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby on the Pittsburgh Penguins if he could stay healthy.

He's set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

Sam Gagner: Edmonton Oilers

Sam Gagner's improvement this season will probably be enough to convince the Edmonton Oilers to re-sign him as a restricted free agent despite having several other young forwards to re-sign in the near future like Jordan Eberle.

I would expect a two-year deal for Gagner.