NHL Free Agent Predictions: Projecting Where Top Available Stars Will Sign

NHL skies will look different next season, as stars are on the move.

The offseason has begun and free-agent rumors have started to swirl. Here are predictions for where the top players on the open market will land based on those rumblings.

3. Alexander Semin: New York Rangers

Larry Brooks of the New York Post reported that the Rangers will target Zach Parise and Alexander Semin in free agency. According to Sports Illustrated, though, Parise already said that he wouldn’t even consider signing in NY.

That leaves Semin, whom it sounds like the Rangers are determined to sign.

Rangers GM Glen Sather recently said he plans on being bold in free agency (via New York Post):

"

The closer to the top you are, you have to be a little more aggressive if you want to get better. If you trade, you have to give away assets, but in free agency you’re just giving away money and [taking] the chance the cap might shrink. I think we’re going to try to be as aggressive as possible in the free agent market.

"

2. Ryan Suter: Detroit Red Wings

Ken Campbell of Yahoo! Sports reported that the Red Wings and Penguins will attempt to snag Ryan Suter and Zach Parise. With each team in hot pursuit of the stars, don’t expect either team to out-snipe the other and reel in both of them. And with defenders Nick Lidstrom and Brad Stuart headed to free agency, Detroit is in desperate need for a replacement.

Suter just so happens to be the best defender available.

1. Zach Parise: Pittsburgh Penguins

That leaves Parise for the Pens.

John Buccigross of ESPN tweeted this news about the cap room that the Penguins gained by dealing Jordan Staal to the Carolina Hurricanes:

"

Penguins gained 2 million cap space in Staal trade. They are in position to offer front loaded contract to Zach Parise and pair him with #87

— John Buccigross (@Buccigross) June 23, 2012"

Pittsburgh needs to make a splash and none would be bigger than pairing Parise with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

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