NY Rangers Free Agency 2012: Wait for 2013! Corey Perry & 4 More Potential UFAs

“It’s tough to make predictions. Especially about the future.”

Leave it to Yogi Berra to come up with a gem like that. But just for argument's sake, let’s take an opposing viewpoint to the New York Yankees Hall of Fame Catcher and make some bold predictions. 

Prediction #1: There will be a National Hockey League season in 2012, in spite of some extremely intense labor pains. 

Prediction #2: At the end of the upcoming season, fast-forwarding to next July 1st, five superb players will become Unrestricted Free Agents. Five players with tons of offensive flair and plenty of grit and character to spare.

Prediction #3: The New York Rangers will be interesting in signing all of these players. And three of them are integral parts of two of the Rangers' most-hated rivals.

So now that we’ve scored a prediction hat trick, are you ready to find out who these players are?

Read on.

Player salaries courtesy of capgeek.com

Player statistics courtesy of eliteprospects.com and nhl.com

Perry Can Put the Puck Away

Corey Perry, 27

Right Wing

Anaheim Ducks

Current Cap Hit: $5,325,000

The Rangers are looking for goals, and Corey Perry of the Anaheim Ducks can put the biscuit on the basket like nobody’s business. This super sniper and former Stanley Cup Champion collected 87 goals the last two seasons. 

Val Can Add Plenty of Value

Valtteri Filppula, 28

Left Wing

Detroit Red Wings

Current Cap Hit: $3,000,000

The Detroit Red Wings know how to select and develop strong, all-around players, and Valtteri Filppula is certainly no exception. Another former Stanley Cup winner, he scored 23 goals to go along with 43 assists last season. 

Blueshirts Could Zero in on Zajac

Travis Zajac, 27

Center

New Jersey Devils

Current Cap Hit: $3,887,500

Another player from the New Jersey Devils on Broadway? Why not? Travis Zajac is a terrific two-way center who would give the Rangers a big, strong playmaking pivot.

After missing most of this past season due to injury, he had seven goals and seven helpers in 24 playoff games, as the Devils advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Clarkson Clearly Knows How to Get It Done

David Clarkson, 28

Right Wing

New Jersey Devils

Current Cap Hit: $2,666,667

Yes, Ranger fans, that David Clarkson. A tough and talented player who is just now hitting the surface of his offensive potential; he potted 30 goals in 80 games this past season.

Plus, he tallied 12 points in 24 playoff games and was an integral component of the Devils Stanley Cup playoff march.

You may hate him now, but he'd become a fan favorite in no time.

A Hartnell and Soul Player

Scott Hartnell, 30

Left Wing

Philadelphia Flyers

Current Cap Hit: $4,200,000

A hair-raising thought? Perhaps.

But there's no denying that Scott Hartnell of the Philadelphia Flyers is an outstanding hockey player.

A guy with a super character who gives everything he's got on every shift, Hartnell also knows how to hit the back of the net with regularity. He scored 37 goals in 82 games this past season.

As much as the fans at Madison Square Garden love to boo him now, they'd adopt him as one of their own rather quickly if he were to become a Ranger.