5 NHL Free Agents Worth Big Money in 2013 Offseason

The 2013 NHL free agency crop might be one of the weakest in recent memory, but there are still players that are going to be paid like top-tier players because they will take advantage of the weak market.

The market was weakened originally because of teams retaining their own pending free agents.

While not all free agents are worth top money, even though they will be signed to said money, there are still a handful of free agents that are worth breaking the bank for during free agency.

Here are the top five free agents who are worth big money this offseason.

For the purpose of avoiding arbitrary numbers, "big" money is defined as $5 million or more.

Honorable Mention: Valtteri Filppula

The Detroit Red Wings might find out that keeping Valtteri Filppula and re-signing other key free agents will be too much of a challenge.

By no means did Filppula have a good year in 2013 with just 17 points in 41 games. But Filppula did have a career high in points the season before with 66 in 81 games.

If general managers are going by his career-high numbers and banking on a bounce-back season, Filppula will be worth big money.

Look for Filppula to get the big money that he is looking for, according to Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News, in the free-agent market, 

Filppula almost qualifies for this list, but because of his injury-riddled, offensively inconsistent season, Filppula doesn't truly deserve big money. But he will be paid that money because of the shallowness of free agency.

5. Ryane Clowe

Ryane Clowe could have been viewed as washed up by fans and hockey pundits after just 11 points (and no goals) in San Jose before being traded to the Rangers.

But Clowe proved his doubters wrong with three goals and eight points in the last 12 games of the season with the Rangers. He had one point in two playoff games before sitting out the rest of the Rangers' games with an injury.

The Newfoundland native is still one of the premiere power forwards and pests in the NHL at age 30. He made $4 million in the last year of his current deal, per CapGeek, and has proven that he can hit anywhere between 50 and 60 points (sometimes more) in a single season.

When Clowe is on his game, he is one of the most dynamic power forwards in the NHL. If he isn't retained by the Rangers, expect at least 15 teams looking to add size to consider what Clowe could bring to their team.

4. Nathan Horton

The Boston Bruins' physically imposing game stems from the players that they had on their roster over the past three years. One of those players, Nathan Horton, played an instrumental part in the Bruins' winning ways.

When Boston won the Cup in 2011, Horton had 17 points in 21 games. This year, although Boston lost in the final, Horton put up 19 points in 22 playoff games.

What makes that point total even more incredible is the fact that Horton played through most of the Stanley Cup Final with a shoulder injury that he re-aggravated in Game 1.

Horton will need surgery, per TSN, but there will be more than a few GMs banging on Horton's agent's door.

Horton has proven that he can play through pain and that his shoulder isn't an issue, despite it being injured. When he gets his shoulder repaired, he will be that much more effective.

Horton made $5.5 million in the last year of his current contract, per CapGeek, so expect that to be the starting price for this power forward.

3. Vincent Lecavalier

Vincent Lecavalier was bought out by the Tampa Bay Lightning following the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Final. It didn't take him long to sign a new five-year deal with Philadelphia, as reported by Pierre LeBrun of ESPN.

Although the cap hit, per CapGeek, is just $4.5 million over the deal, the fact remains that Lecavalier is still receiving buyout money from Tampa Bay for the next 13 seasons, so his contract under non-bought out circumstances would be a lot higher.

Lecavalier established himself as a top player in the NHL, but he became a buyout candidate after he was being paid No. 1 center money when Steven Stamkos was playing in that No. 1 center spot.

The face of the Lightning franchise was bought out, and his deal with the Flyers represents a mere fraction of what he would get if he weren't getting money from a buyout.

The Quebec native is worth top money, despite receiving a buyout, as he is just six seasons removed from a Rocket Richard trophy.

2. Jarome Iginla

Jarome Iginla is now 36 years old. The Edmonton, Alberta native just celebrated his birthday on July 1.

But the former Calgary Flames captain is worth big money. He can still put up points for his next team.

The question is whether Iginla will accept less than the $7 million, per CapGeek, that he has made in every season since the season-cancelling lockout.

Iginla is a complete player. Although he is no longer at the top of his game in terms of putting up 90 points a season, he will still be putting up 60-70 points in a full season next season and possibly in subsequent seasons as well.

The big question surrounding Iginla is whether he can find a Cup contender that has the kind of cap space that it could take to sign him. Last time he wanted to go to a contender, he made the wrong choice.

1. Mike Ribeiro

Mike Ribeiro has quietly been having one of the most consistent careers in the past decade. With 572 points over the last 10 years, Ribeiro had not failed to score 50 points until this lockout-shortened season.

The former second-round pick put up 49 points in 48 games this season, with 27 of those points coming on the power play.

The reason Ribeiro tops this list is because of his power-play points. While it can certainly be argued that he has benefited from playing alongside the likes of Alexander Ovechkin and other snipers in Washington, Ribeiro has been setting up players like Ovechkin on a consistent basis over the past season.

He has proven that he can play with top-line talent, despite often being overshadowed by the Capitals' No. 1 center, Nicklas Backstrom. Per CapGeek, Ribeiro made $5 million in each of the last five years in his expiring contract.

At just 33 years of age, Ribeiro still has plenty of productive years ahead of him and will likely find a place as a center on the first or second line with a new team.

All numbers via NHL.com or CapGeek.com unless otherwise noted.

For more article updates, Follow @Isaac_Smith91