NHL Free Agents: Where Will the Top Remaining Free Agents Land?

There were over 50 players signed on day one of NHL free agency, but many of the top players have yet to pick their teams for next year.

Ryan Suter and Zach Parise, the two best players available, decided to examine the offers they received and not make a decision on day one.

Let's predict where those two stars and the other top free agents will land.

Ryan Suter: Detroit Red Wings

According to Nick Kypreos of Sportsnet.ca, the top free agent available might be leaning toward choosing the Detroit Red Wings.

"

Nothing confirmed as it appears Suter will won't make anything official till 2morrow but some oninside say he's leaned toward #Redwings

— Nick Kypreos (@RealKyper) July 1, 2012"

It would be surprising if Ryan Suter doesn't choose the Detroit Red Wings. He would play on the most consistent team in hockey with an ownership dedicated to winning if he chose Detroit. It would be hard to pass on a situation like that.

Zach Parise: Pittsburgh Penguins

Zach Parise would be wise to choose the Pittsburgh Penguins in free agency if he wants to win now and play with amazing centers like Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby.

It would be hard for a goal-scoring winger like Parise to turn down playing with two of the best playmakers in the NHL.

There are some other teams, such as the Minnesota Wild, that would be good fits for Parise, but the Penguins make the most sense.

Jaromir Jagr: Philadelphia Flyers

Even though he's drawing a lot of interest from around the league, Jaromir Jagr should choose to stay in Philadelphia.

The Flyers need his goal scoring and championship experience, and the development of Claude Giroux as a superstar player last season was helped by the presence of Jagr.

Jagr would also be foolish to leave a team where Scott Hartnell and Giroux are his linemates. He looked happy in Philly this past season and shouldn't leave this summer.

One team to watch in this process is the Montreal Canadiens:

"

Jagr will wait until big boys get signed before he decides. As many as 12 teams interested, incl Mtl. Jagr would love to play with Habs.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 2, 2012"

The Canadiens could certainly use another reliable offensive player like Jagr.

Shane Doan: Los Angeles Kings

Even though it may sound crazy to think Shane Doan would go to the Kings after they eliminated the Phoenix Coyotes in the Western Conference finals last season (remember his issue with Dustin Brown in the handshake line?), the fact of the matter is the Kings are a good fit for the 35-year-old veteran.

With Ray Whitney signing with the Dallas Stars on Sunday, the Coyotes offense will be much worse next season.

If Doan wants to win, he should sign with the Kings and play on a Stanley Cup contender for the rest of his career.

Matt Carle: Philadelphia Flyers

Matt Carle will probably wait and make his decision on who to sign with after Ryan Suter makes his choice.

If the Philadelphia Flyers don't get Suter, then they almost have to re-sign Carle because, if they don't, their blue line will have serious problems.

Alex Semin: Pittsburgh Penguins or Detroit Red Wings

If the Penguins don't sign Zach Parise, their best option for a goal-scoring winger is Washington Capitals star Alex Semin.

Even though he was disappointing in Washington this season, he did play pretty well in the playoffs and has elite offensive talent. His production would certainly improve with Malkin or Crosby alongside him.

If he doesn't sign with the Penguins, then the Detroit Red Wings would be a nice fit for the Russian forward.

Olli Jokinen: Florida Panthers

UPDATE: Jokinen has reportedly agreed to a deal with the Winnipeg Jets.

The Florida Panthers are a good fit for Olli Jokinen because he used to play there and they need more center depth.

If the Panthers want to replace defenseman Jason Garrison's goal scoring, then they must add another impact player on offense.

Jokinen isn't a defenseman, but he is the best scoring option for the Panthers, because any of the remaining offensive defensemen are either too expensive or not a good fit.

Jason Arnott: Boston Bruins

The Boston Bruins have tried to find a Mark Recchi-type player since the veteran retired after the team's Stanley Cup title in 2011, and Jason Arnott would be a good fit for that role.

He scored 34 points last season and brings Stanley Cup experience to a Bruins team that needs a third-line player who can excel at both ends of the ice.

Pavel Kubina: Nashville Predators

The Nashville Predators need to start looking at backup plans on defense in case Ryan Suter and/or Shea Weber depart this summer through free agency.

Veteran Pavel Kubina would be a good signing for Nashville and probably would be an inexpensive player to add to the roster.