2012 NHL Free Agents: Veterans Who Can Turn Around Struggling Franchises

The NHL's free-agency period opens up on July 1st, and there is an impressive crop of veteran players ready to get back on the ice and possibly into a new town. Now that the postseason has come to a close with the L.A. Kings taking home their first Stanley Cup, it’s time for the teams to start looking at their free-agent options.

Struggling franchises who finished at the bottom ends of each conference will be looking for players to bolster their teams and rejuvenate their rosters. Teams like Dallas, Columbus, Montreal, Tampa Bay and Toronto could all use some help.

There are a number of veteran players who are far from throwing in the towel and leaving the ice. Their experience and leadership have the potential to turn a team around to take an effective run at being a forceful competitor next season.

Alexander Semin

The former Washington Capitals player will be one of the most desired free agents come July 1st. With six years of experience, Semin still has a lot of playing time left. His skills were left unused by the Capitals towards the end of the season.

Semin averaged 16:04 minutes of time on the ice, and the left wing leaves the nation’s capital with hopes to sign with a team who will give him more playing time.

The Capitals may not have been utilizing Semin’s full potential. He had 21 goals and 54 points this season with Washington.

Semin took a backseat in the spotlight to his teammate Alex Ovechkin, but he has the abilities to be star for another team and bring his game back up to speed.

Ryan Suter

The Nashville Predators had a great run in the playoffs this season, making it to the final eight. It was a good year for the team, which has been consistently strong in the Western Conference for the past three years.

Long-time Nashville veteran Ryan Suter, has been a key figure in Nashville’s success. The Wisconsin native helps to maintain a strong Nashville defense.

Suter would offer essential defensive leadership for teams who struggled against powerhouse teams this past season. According to Josh Lile from Dallas Stars Analysis, the north Texas team could really use a boost from a player like Suter.

The Predators relied on Suter for a good amount of time on the ice, and it was time well used. Suter reached a career high in points and scored a total of seven goals this season—a significant improvement within the last three years.

Andrei Kostitsyn

Ryan Suter’s teammate on the Nashville Predators, Andrei Kostitsyn is also up for free agency and ranked 17th on CBSSports.com. The right wing would be a powerful offensive tool for a team in need. Kostitsyn had 16 goals this past season despite only averaging 15 minutes of playing time.

After being suspended in Game 3 during the playoffs, Kostitsyn might be looking forward to a fresh start on a new team (via Josh Cooper of The Tennessean, h/t USAToday.com). Kostitsyn will have the opportunity to build on his experience and mature with a team looking for a strong, attacking forward.

Zach Parise

CBSSports.com ranked the New Jersey Devil as the top free-agent pick in 2012. No question about that.

Parise led the Devils during the regular season as the team made their way to the Stanley Cup Final. Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur called Parise “a franchise player” (via CBSSports.com), and he is certainly right about that.

After six years with New Jersey and getting so close to a championship win this year, Parise could flourish on a team who really needs him. The left wing is powerful and smart on the ice. He can blow past defenders and release rocket-like shots—qualities that a struggling team could use and would do well to snatch up in free agency.

Dustin Penner

Dustin Penner is entering the free agency after coming off of the first Stanley Cup win for the L.A. Kings. The Kings’ forward had a lackluster season, seeing some his lowest numbers within the past five seasons. But based on his past performance, Penner could turn a struggling team around.

His time on the Kings may just be used up. Penner’s biggest issue right now is his inconsistency, but when given opportunities in front of the net, he is able to tip the puck in and score goals.

Penner has six years of experience under his belt and could likely see more playing time and hopefully more opportunities to score on a new team.