NHL Free Agents 2012: The Top 16 Forwards on the Market and Where They'll Go

Free agency always starts a frenzy of activity in the NHL. Last year, teams were clamoring to sign Brad Richards because of his championship pedigree, leadership ability and talent at putting the puck in the net.

The New York Rangers came away with Richards and the acquisition was a vital one. The Rangers moved to the top of the Eastern Conference during the regular season last year and won two playoff rounds before they were eliminated by the New Jersey Devils in the conference finals.

This year, Zach Parise of the Devils is the big free-agent prize among forwards. Here's a look at the top 16 forwards on the market, along with a projection as to where they will go.

No. 16, Center Jason Arnott, St. Louis Blues

The 37-year-old Arnott is well past his prime, but he scored 17 goals and 17 assists for the St. Louis Blues. Arnott can assert himself down by the net and give you veteran leadership.

That means he can score a key goal in a very important situation. He's the kind of player who will fit in on a team that has a good chance to win the title that may lack a guy who can stand up in the locker room. Perhaps a team that struggled in 2011-12 after enjoying success the year before.

Arnott could be a good fit for a team like the Tampa Bay Lightning. He reportedly was unhappy about not being used enough by the Blues in the playoffs, but Arnott still has gas in the tank.

No. 15, Right Wing Brad Boyes, Buffalo Sabres

Boyes is no longer a threat to score 40 goals or more, but he should be able to rebound after scoring 39 goals over a three-season span.

Boyes, 30, is not to the point where he has to think about hanging up his skates. He is not the most physical player, nor is he the greatest skater, but he's a good shooter who can find the openings. He scored 33 goals in 2008-09, so there's no reason he shouldn't be able to approach 20 goals.

Look for Boyes to go to a team that needs goal scoring, like the Minnesota Wild.

No. 14, Left Wing Alexei Ponikarovsky, New Jersey Devils

While he's not going to win a spot among top-six forwards, Ponikarovsky has size and some skill. He scored 14 goals and 19 assists for the Devils last season and his biggest moment occurred when he scored the game-winning overtime goal against the Philadelphia Flyers in the third game of the second-round playoff series.

Ponikarovsky checks in at 6'4" and 226 pounds, and if he ever used that size to get physical with opponents, he might be a different player.

The Montreal Canadiens lack size, and new general manager Marc Bergevin may want to give him a call.

No. 13, Left Wing/Center Brian Rolston, Boston Bruins

Ignored by the New York Islanders, the defending Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins snagged Rolston at the trade deadline, and he provided energy, offense and leadership after returning to Boston following a seven-year absence.

Rolston, 39, still has an excellent shot, can take a key faceoff and simply knows how to play the game well. As a third- or fourth-line player, Rolston will help teams win. He's still got gas left in the tank and can win the occasional foot race.

Expect the Bruins to re-sign Rolston at some point during the summer.

No. 12, Center Kyle Wellwood, Winnipeg Jets

Wellwood is one of the most unappreciated players in the league. Primarily a defensive player, he scored 18 goals and had a career-high 47 points last year for the Winnipeg Jets. While he finished the season with a broken foot, he should not have any health issues next year. He does not have overwhelming talent and he is not a physically dominant player, but he is a try-hard type who gives you everything he has and appears to be getting better.

Look for the Jets to make a solid effort to re-sign him.

No. 11, Right Wing Teemu Selanne, Anaheim Ducks

It's getting to be a familiar refrain. At the end of the season, Teemu Selanne stops to consider his options, realizes that he's 41 years old and strongly considers retirement. However, his love of the game remains intact and he simply enjoys putting the puck in the net. He doesn't retire and he comes back and plays again.

Nothing is official, but Selanne has reportedly made up his mind to play again in 2012-13, and that means he'll be back with the Anaheim Ducks. Expect him to sign another one-year contract shortly.

No. 10, Left Wing Ryan Smyth, Edmonton Oilers

Throughout his career, Smyth has been known as a player who was inspirational to his teammates because he always dug deep and found a way to give his best effort. That was not necessarily the case in 2011-12 with the Oilers. It's not that the effort wasn't there, but his production was not what it has been.

Perhaps that should be expected from a player who is 36 years old, but he may be able to put last year's slump behind him. He still ended up with 19 goals, but a change of scenery may be best.

The Vancouver Canucks could use a player with Smyth's heart, and general manager Mike Gillis would be wise to give him consideration.

No. 9, Left Wing Dustin Penner, Los Angeles Kings

Penner is one of the most perplexing players in the NHL. He's got size, strength, a hard shot and speed. Yet his numbers are so pedestrian that you would think he doesn't care at all.

Penner scored all of seven goals during the regular season, yet he was a force for the Kings during the Stanley Cup playoff run. If that sounds familiar, it's because he was a factor when the Anaheim Ducks won the Stanley Cup in 2007. After that happened, Penner was thought to be a player on the rise and he signed a free-agent contract with the Edmonton Oilers. That didn't work out so well.

Penner will get a chance again, but it won't be for a huge price. The Calgary Flames know him well from playing against him and that may be a good spot for him.

No. 8, Center Olli Jokinen, Calgary Flames

Jokinen underwent abdominal surgery in early May to repair a muscle, but the operation was successful and Jokinen should be in good shape to get the season started on time. Jokinen started feeling pain from the torn muscle in March, but he played through it because the Calgary Flames were in the midst of what turned out to be an unsuccessful playoff push.

Jokinen is a solid all-around player who can put the puck in the net, set up teammates and play on the defensive end. He scored 23 goals last year. He may not be able to reach his career high of 39 goals any longer, but he can still be a vital player.

Jokinen has had two tours of duty with the Flames and he should be in demand for a number teams. It seems that he appeals to teams in the Western Conference.

No. 7, Left Wing Ray Whitney, Phoenix Coyotes

Whitney, 40, is a solid veteran with a knack for putting the puck in the net. He scored 24 goals and had 53 assists for a Coyotes team that won two playoff series last season. Whitney has an understanding of timing and the ability to put the puck in the top corner when he is shooting. He is the kind of player that would be very valuable to any contending team that might be looking for additional scoring.

It seems almost certain he will leave Phoenix. He could go to an east coast team like the New York Rangers that has a strong need for players who can score.

No. 6, Right Wing Shane Doan, Phoenix Coyotes

The thought of Shane Doan leaving the desert has to be painful to any Phoenix Coyotes fan. Not only is Doan their captain, he is also their heartbeat. He plays the game with passion and that means he will hit anyone who gets in his way.

That edge allowed the Coyotes to get to the Western Conference finals this season, by far the best that the franchise has ever played in the postseason.

Doan is a solid scorer who had 22 goals this season despite playing with a hip injury. He has reached the 30-goal mark twice in his career. Doan, 36, may have lost a half-step of speed, but he is still a player who can help a team win.

Any team that is looking for a big-time contributor would love to have Doan. If the New Jersey Devils can't re-sign Zach Parise, look for them to make a run at Doan.

No. 5, Center Jiri Hudler, Detroit Red Wings

Hudler is a streaky scorer who uses his balance and skating ability to get in and out of tight places. Hudler had 25 goals and 25 assists in 2011-12, but it can be feast of famine with him. He went through one streak last season in which he scored just 10 points in 23 games and then turned it on after that.

At 5'9" and 178 pounds, he's not going to overpower anyone, but he will play with some jam.

He could possibly return to the Detroit Red Wings.

No. 4, Right Wing, P.A. Parenteau, New York Islanders

Parenteau, 29, is a good player with room for improvement. He moves well and has good instincts around the net, which allowed him to score 18 goals last season. He is especially good on the power play because he knows how to find the dead spots in the defense and then attack quickly.

Parenteau is not the most physical player and could stand to get stronger. He needs to do more work in the weight room.

He appears to have grown too expensive for the Islanders. A team like the Boston Bruins that struggles on the power play could use him.

No. 3, Right Wing Jaromir Jagr, Philadelphia Flyers

Jagr, 40, is one of the great players in the history of the game, and he made a successful return to the NHL after being away for three full seasons. He is no longer the speedy, swooping dynamo who created play after play during the prime of his career, but he was solid with the Philadelphia Flyers.

His size and strength make him a load to stop, and he finished the season with 19 goals and 35 assists. At this point in his career, he is a solid complementary player.

It seems likely that he will return to the Flyers, but he could also have some interest in playing with the Montreal Canadiens or the Detroit Red Wings. The Canadiens made him an offer last season and need players who can score.

No. 2, Left Wing Alex Semin, Washington Capitals

The enigmatic Semin has been a prolific scorer during his career, but there have been times when he appears lost on the ice.

When the Capitals played with an offensive flair, Alex Ovechkin and Semin were the two shooters who drove opposing goalies to question their career choices. Semin has a blistering slap shot and a superb wrister. However, when the Capitals decided that they weren't going to win championships by going for broke on offense and abandoning defense, Semin appeared to be a lost soul.

He indicated he was not happy with his role on the team at the end of the season. He was limited to 21 goals last season, after scoring 40 in 2009-10. He wants to play in a situation where he can put his offensive skills on display.

Could he sign with the goal-hungry Canadiens?

No. 1, Left Wing Zach Parise, New Jersey Devils

Zach Parise finds himself in a wonderful position as the start of free agency beckons. He is a complete player who can put the puck in the net, and he would clearly make any team in the league better. He has a gift for scoring, but he is a brilliant skater and forechecker, and he never shirks from his defensive responsibilities. He is a complete player and he led the New Jersey Devils on a brilliant run during the playoffs this year.

The Devils certainly want to keep him and he has expressed interest in staying, but teams like the Pittsburgh Penguins, Detroit Red Wings and the Minnesota Wild have all indicated that they will try to entice Parise. The Red Wings and Penguins have plenty of cap room. The Wild also have cap room and they will try to get the Minnesota-native son to come home.

The guess here is that the Penguins will end up making him the most attractive offer and that he will probably accept it.