10 Free Agents Worth a Look for Boston Bruins This Offseason

The Boston Bruins' season ended in utter disappointment as they fell to the No. 7 Washington Capitals in the opening round of the NHL playoffs. The No. 2 B's played a solid series, but the defending champions couldn't keep up with Alexander Ovechkin, losing to the Caps in a decisive Game 7.

Now it's time to address the roster and decide which players with expiring contracts will be brought back for the 2012-'13 season, which players to potentially trade and which free agents to pursue.

For now, let's just focus on who's available and who could contribute to a deep playoff run next season.

Here are 10 free agents that general manager Peter Chiarelli and the Boston Bruins should at least consider signing this offseason. 

*All statistics do not include playoff games*

Jarret Stoll, Center

2011-'12 Statistics: 6 G, 15 A, 21 P, +2 (Los Angeles Kings, 78 G)

The Boston Bruins have five forwards from last season entering free agency, whether they be restricted or unrestricted. Jarret Stoll, currently playing for the Stanley Cup with the Los Angeles Kings, could be a nice replacement. 

Stoll has been a points machine over the majority of his career, but this season was much different, only totaling 21. Both goals and assists were way down compared to his career averages, despite his average time on ice staying relatively the same.

That being said, Stoll will likely come much cheaper than if he had put up bigger point totals, something the Bruins can benefit from. Boston's mainly losing forwards off of its lower lines, and Stoll, currently playing on the Kings' third line, should at least get a call from the Bruins this offseason. 

Daniel Winnik, Center

2011-'12 Statistics: 8 G, 15 A, 23 P, -11 (Colorado Avalanche/San Jose Sharks, 84 G)

Daniel Winnik spent the majority of the 2011-'12 season with the Colorado Avalanche but was later shipped to the San Jose Sharks, where he finished the year. He's another quality forward that could fit well with many of the returning Bruins forwards.

He is a durable player, playing in nearly every game over the last few seasons, and has averaged between 16 and 17 minutes of ice time per game. Winnik isn't much of a goal scorer, but he's good at setting up his teammates for good shots and has assisted on 15 goals in four of his five seasons in the NHL.

Winnik was only making close to $1 million over the last two years and could be offered a deal around the same amount. He isn't going to cost a lot.

Even if a deal is higher, Winnik could be one of those guys who makes a big difference when you put him alongside some of the Bruins' stars.

Marc-Antoine Pouliot, Center

2011-'12 Statistics: 0 G, 4 A, 4 P, -2 (Phoenix Coyotes, 13 G)

The Bruins are likely to lose Benoit Pouliot to free agency, so why not add another Pouliot to the roster?

Marc-Antoine rarely played this season in the NHL but has seen some time during the playoffs with the Phoenix Coyotes. In those eight games, mainly replacing the suspended Martin Hanzal or going in the lineup to shake up the lines, Pouliot has played relatively well.

He's 27 years old and has never really played a full season, unless you count the 2008-'09 season when he played in 63 games with the Edmonton Oilers.

Pouliot is a fourth-line player and could be very cost-effective if he totals around 18 points with the Bruins. Fourteen Bruins skaters this past season had at least 18 points, so it's a very doable task.

Alexander Semin, Forward

2011-'12 Statistics: 21 G, 33 A, 54 P, +9 (Washigton Capitals, 77 G)

Unlike the previous players I've suggested, Alexander Semin is going to get a huge contract from whichever team he decides to play for. He's a game changer no matter who he plays for and who's on the ice with him. A change of scenery might be exactly what Semin needs in order to become one of the game's elites.

Semin has mainly played in the shadow of Alexander Ovechkin in his career and has really taken advantage of his teammate's skills. Over the last four seasons, Semin has put up assists totals of 45, 44, 26 and 33. Signing with a different team could definitely increase his goal totals as well, and with the Bruins, he'd be one of their leading scorers.

Semin is easily one of the top free agents on the market and should get calls from nearly every franchise. If the Bruins could add Semin to their lineup, they'd have a very good chance at a Stanley Cup appearance.

Zach Parise, Forward

2011-'12 Statistics: 31 G, 38 A, 69 P, -5 +/- (New Jersey Devils, 82 G)

Zach Parise is having an incredible season and has led his New Jersey Devils all the way to the Stanley Cup. The Devils' captain is also going to earn a big contract after this final series ends, and Boston should give his agent a call.

Parise is a great goalscorer and an even better passer. Despite missing all of last season, Parise has managed to put up point totals of at least 60 in each of his last six full seasons. In 2008-'09, arguably his best season, he scored 45 times and had 49 assists.

This postseason he's also been untouchable, scoring seven times and having seven assists in 18 games. If the Devils win the Stanley Cup, it will most likely because of the play of Parise. Putting him on a line with Patrice Bergeron, Tyler Seguin, Milan Lucic, or Brad Marchand would only make Parise better.

Ray Whitney, Forward

2011-'12 Statistics: 24 G, 53 A, 77 P, +26 (Phoenix Coyotes, 82 G)

Ray Whitney, a veteran of the game, failed to win a Stanley Cup this season with the Phoenix Coyotes and could have a much better chance next season should he sign with the Boston Bruins. It's obvious that Whitney is at the end of his career, yet he keeps putting up staggering numbers each season.

This season, at 40 years old, Whitney put up 77 points. It was the fifth time in his career that he's had a point total of over 70, and he's done it three times over the last six seasons.

One statistic that may not usually be relevant for forwards is plus-minus, but this year Whitney was a plus-26, setting a new career high. His previous career high was plus-10. 

The Bruins should look to squeeze the last remaining years out of this potential future Hall of Famer. He will definitely be a huge addition to their already stellar team and could put them over the top for the playoffs.

Mike Knuble, Forward

2011-'12 Statistics: 6 G, 12 A, 18 P, -15 (Washington Capitals, 72 G)

Mike Knuble is another veteran who should get a look from the Boston Bruins. His numbers have severely dipped this season playing for the Washington Capitals, which could be a good and bad thing.

His dropping numbers could mean that the Bruins, or any team with interest of signing him, could get him at a discount. Sure, he's put up great numbers in previous seasons, but he still played in 72 games so why aren't they as high this season?

The numbers decrease could also be a bad thing, though, because if they sign him to a somewhat lucrative deal and his numbers don't rebound to what they have been, it will be a waste. The Bruins have to make sure he is still able to put points on the board if they're going to sign him.

Regardless, he'd provide a nice veteran presence to the team if they can get him at the right price.

Ryan Suter, Defenseman

2011-'12 Statistics: 7 G, 39 A, 46 P, +15 (Nashville Predators, 79 G)

Ryan Suter would be a good fit with the Boston Bruins because he isn't really a goal-scorer but more of a team player who will get you at least 30 assists in a season. He's had over 30 assists in each of the last four seasons and set career highs in assists and points this past season.

The good thing about Suter is that he can play on any of the three defense pairings. He could end up playing on the first pairing with Zdeno Chara or even as low as the third line with Adam McQuaid. He's very flexible with where he could play because he's that good of a defenseman.

He also plays well with other great defenders as this season he's been paired with Norris Trophy finalist Shea Weber. Suter could end up playing with him again next season or another finalist in Chara.

The Bruins need to focus on their defense, and Suter would be a great addition despite his high cost.

Barret Jackman, Defenseman

2011-'12 Statistics: 1 G, 12 A, 13 P, +20 (St. Louis Blues, 81 G)

The alternate captain for the St. Louis Blues, Barret Jackman, would be another good addition to the Bruins' defense. His play was a huge part of why the Blues were the No. 2 seed going into the playoffs this season, and he's been consistent over the course of his career.

He tied a career high in plus-minus this season at plus-20, the twenty-fifth best in the league. His point totals aren't exciting at all, and he is definitely not a goal scorer, only scoring 20 times over nine seasons, but he could be a good fit on Boston's second defensive pairing. 

Jackman's salary cap hit has been $3.6 million over the last three seasons and could see higher numbers going forward. He's an established defenseman in the league and could want a big deal.

The Bruins don't have a ton of cap space so if they wanted to sign him, he would probably need to take a discount or they'd have to juggle some of their players around.

Martin Biron, Goalie

2011-'12 Statistics: 12-6, .904 SV%, 2.46 GAA (New York Rangers, 21 G)

Who knows what's going to happen with the Boston Bruins' goalie situation? Tim Thomas had another solid year, but he's only getting older and is also very expensive. It may be time to go with Tuukka Rask in net, despite the injury he suffered towards the end of last season that kept him out of the playoffs.

With Rask's injury, the Bruins signed veteran goalie Marty Turco to back up Thomas. Turco is now an unrestricted free agent, and Boston may want another insurance policy. In comes Martin Biron. Biron was solid as the New York Rangers' backup goalie the past two seasons.

He might get some offers to be a starter this season, but if not, he would be the kind of backup you can trust if Rask were to need a game off here and there. You could see Claude Julien platoon the two goalies like he did two years ago with Thomas and Rask.

Another good thing about Biron is that his cap hit hasn't been big at all for a while. At the least, the Bruins should take a look at him.