NHL Free Agents 2012: Best Landing Spots for Top Players Available

NHL free agency doesn't exist in an ideal world. Players don't end up on teams where they fit in perfectly, big money can trump all other factors and teams that helped certain players reach star status are left in the dust.

That's just how it works.

But what if it did work in an ideal world? What if players would make free agency decisions that perfectly mirrored what they wanted in a team, city and, yes, a paycheck?

Where would Ryan Suter and Zazh Parise end up in that world?

Let's find out.

Ryan Suter: Pittsburgh Penguins

Believe me, I do not want to admit that Suter and the Penguins are a match made in heaven. I'm a Philadelphia Flayers fan, and my disdain for the Pens runs deep.

But given what Suter is looking for, Pittsburgh makes a ton of sense.

Pittsburgh is a smaller market where the media pressure isn't crazy. The Penguins have plenty of cap space to break the bank and bring him in. The team is sure to be good for years to come with players like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, James Neal and Marc-Andre Fleury.

If it is true that Suter isn't looking to go to a huge market, Pittsburgh makes a lot of sense. So does staying with the Nashville Predators, still a possibility.

Zach Parise: New Jersey Devils

Parise is the heart-and-soul of the Devils, and he's flourished in New Jersey. While he'll have a ton of offers to play elsewhere, will there really be a better fit for him?

Money wise, perhaps. Both the Penguins and Detroit Red Wings could offer intriguing offensive teammates to pair with Parise. The Minnesota Wild would offer a chance for him to play in his native state. The Flyers, if they clear the cap space, are an intriguing young team where his talents would fit.

But in the end, the Devils remain the best combination of all factors. If the Devils don't fall too behind the bidding war, I think he should return.

Justin Schultz: Edmonton Oilers

If Schultz wants to be a top-four defensemen immediately, see playing time, remain relatively close to his home town in British Columbia and join forces with a young, up-and-coming team rife with explosive forward prospects, Edmonton is the logical choice.

He will have his pick of the litter, since he can only be offered an entry contract and most teams will offer it. But in Edmonton, he would see ice time immediately and could help form a young core that could be truly scary in years to come. Schultz should go with the Oilers.

Jason Garrison: Detroit Red Wings

Garrison is the second-best defensemen available, and he'll likely cash in on that fact paired with the five-year, $26.25 million contract Dennis Wideman signed with the Calgary Flames.

The Wings, in need of a solid defensemen after missing out on Suter (in my version of NHL free agency) and Matt Carle (he'll resign with Philly) will overpay to land Garrison's services. And you could certainly do worse than end up in Hockeytown from Garrison's perspective.

I think he'll try to make things work with the Florida Panthers. But in the end, Detroit will make him an offer he can't refuse.

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