NHL Free Agents 2012: Latest Rumblings Surrounding Top Available Players

Although most of the big-name NHL free agents have already signed this summer, there are still a handful of notable players available. 

If teams are looking to bolster their offense, then they should look no further than veterans Shane Doan and Jason Arnott—two players who can bring tremendous skill and invaluable experience to the table. 

Despite their wealth of career accomplishments on the ice, both players are still floating around the free agency pool in 2012. 

Will any team sign them in time for the start of the new season?

Here are the latest rumblings surrounding the top available names this summer.

Shane Doan, RW

Shane Doan has played for the Phoenix Coyotes franchise since they were the Winnipeg Jets, but his production has certainly taken a bit of a hit over the years as he has gotten older. 

Still, the free agent right wing has plenty to offer a franchise in need of an added punch up front, and according to Sports 620 KTAR Phoenix's John Gambadoro via Twitter, Doan recently met with the Canucks:

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Coyotes Captain Shane Doan is in Vancouver meeting with the Canucks

— John Gambadoro (@Gambo620) August 1, 2012"

Doan scored 50 points for the Coyotes last season, missing just three games all regular season. Doan has played all 82 regular season games three different times during his career and is no doubt one of the toughest wingers in the league.

Vancouver could obviously benefit from signing Doan, but only if they can get him for a reasonable cost. Otherwise, it's hard to see why they would add an aging winger to an offense that is already one of the NHL's best. 

According to CBSSports.com, Doan is looking for a deal in the ballpark of four years, $30 million. It's certainly not a surprising request for a 35-year-old athlete who is smart enough to know how to capitalize on elite play. Still though, he looks to be turning off potential suitors, and it's without question the reason he has remained on the market this summer. 

Jason Arnott, C

According to NBC Pro Hockey Talk's Mike Halford via Twitter, the Vancouver Canucks are showing interest in free agent center Jason Arnott:

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Report: Canucks in talks with Jason Arnott wp.me/p14QU5-3tph

— Mike Halford (@HalfordPHT) August 1, 2012"

Arnott last played with the St. Louis Blues. He scored 17 goals and tallied 17 additional assists for St. Louis in 72 games. Arnott has been a consistent point scorer since he came into the league in 1993, and he still has plenty of skill and experience to offer a team like Vancouver. 

The Canucks are wise to engage in talks with Arnott. After last season's playoff implosion in the first round as the Western Conference's No. 1 seed, they could use a veteran to plug in on occasion in order to keep their third unit grounded. 

Arnott has 122 games of playoff experience and would be a beneficial locker room presence for the Canucks. Vancouver is definitely looking to add some pieces this offseason in hopes of getting back into the Stanley Cup picture next season, and who can blame them after their recent heartbreak over the years. 

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter For More Take on the Latest NHL Free Agent Buzz.