NHL Free Agents 2012: Shane Doan and Best Veteran Forwards Available

Phoenix Coyotes captain Shane Doan is one of the top veteran forwards in the 2012 free-agent class who will give Stanley Cup contenders a reliable player who is willing to work hard to win a championship.

Oftentimes, the most successful free-agent signings are veterans who provide strong two-way play and leadership on and off the ice. To use a common sports cliche, these players are normally referred to as "the final piece of the puzzle."

Let's look at the three best veteran forwards available this summer.

Olli Jokinen, Center

The Calgary Flames will reportedly lose a key part of their offense this summer with veteran center Olli Jokinen tests the free-agent market, according to Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun.

"

Source tells me it's official: Olli Jokinen's days with the Flames are over and he will head to free agency July 1.

— Eric Francis (@EricFrancis) June 28, 2012"

Jokinen finished this past season with 61 points, and on a team with a better supporting cast, Jokinen could certainly reach 70-plus points next year.

He's still a top-tier playmaker and would be a fantastic second-line center on many playoff-caliber teams. The one concern about Jokinen is his lack of playoff experience. He has been to the playoffs just once in his career, which came in the 2008-09 season with the Flames in a six-game, first-round defeat.

On a one- or two-year contract, Jokinen is certainly worth anywhere from $3.5 to $4 million per season.

Dustin Penner, Left Wing

Dustin Penner boosted his free-agent value in a huge way by having a fantastic playoff performance for the Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings. He finished the postseason with three goals and eight assists in 20 games.

While it's hard to look at his recent regular-season statistics and be optimistic, the fact that he has two Stanley Cup titles and is a solid power forward is tough to ignore.

Any team needing a physical player for their second or third line should consider making Penner an offer. His playoff experience and toughness on the ice would be valuable additions to several contending teams.

Shane Doan, Right Wing

One of the most loyal players is the NHL is Phoenix Coyotes captain Shane Doan, but as an unrestricted free agent at 35 years old, his time to win a Stanley Cup title is starting to run out.

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Shane Doan wants to stay in Arizona, but ownership instability may force him to test free agency. The list of interested teams will be long.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) June 27, 2012"

Doan would be a great fit on a contending team like the New York Rangers or the Boston Bruins—both of whom play a physical style of hockey that Doan would thrive in. The Coyotes winger hasn't scored fewer than 50 points in a season since 2002 and would be able to reach 20 goals again with quality teammates around him.

It's tough to imagine Doan leaving the Coyotes, but will he sign a long-term deal with a club that has ownership issues year after year?

If Doan sees what's available on the open market, he won't have to look far to find teams willing to sign him.

Follow @NicholasGoss35