2013 NHL Free Agency: Breaking Down the Boston Bruins' Wishlist

With Nathan Horton testing the market, the Boston Bruins are set to enter free agency as big time buyers for the first time since 2006. Forced to rebuild the right side of their top-six, the notoriously conservative Bruins could be on the brink of a big move or two. 

Back in '06, GM Peter Chiarelli's first year with the club, the Bruins acquired captain Zdeno Chara and Marc Savard. The two big money signings led the team into a new era of prominence, and although Marc Savard has not played a single game since 2011, Chara continues to be the foundation of the team. 

In the seven summers since, the Bruins have not once made a big splash on the open market. Of the 24 players deployed by the Bruins in the 2013 postseason only Shawn Thornton, Torey Krug and the aforementioned Chara were acquired via free agency. The other 21 arrived in Boston through the draft or as part of a trade. 

The Eastern Conference champions' strong core is certainly not far from another deep playoff run, so whichever pieces they opt to bring in could make or break their next shot at the cup. 

Here are a few targets that should be at the top of the Bruins' wishlist: 

1. Daniel Alfredsson

As tweeted by ESPN's Joe McDonald, Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli told members of the media that he sees Boston as "a destination for an older player looking for a place to win." 40-year-old Daniel Alfredsson has yet to hoist the Stanley Cup in his long career, so he could be tempted by Chiarelli's vision. 

The long-time Senators captain is likely to re-sign in Ottawa, but perhaps he could be enticed to join the Bruins if he believes that the Sens aren't ready to contend for a title. The Senators were the NHL's surprise team in 2013, reaching the second round of the playoffs despite missing stars Erik Karlsson, Jason Spezza and Craig Anderson for long stretches of the season. 

There is reason to believe that the young Senators are not far from a deep playoff run, but their embarrassment at the hands of the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round of the playoffs in May suggests that they might need more time than Alfredsson has.

According to ESPN's Pierre Lebrun, the Bruins have reached out to the highly-respected Swede, and he seems to be their top target at the moment. The winger had just 26 points in 47 games this season, but he kicked it up a notch in the playoffs with 10 points in as many games. 

Alfredsson seemed like a possible trade target for the Bruins during the regular season, but the Senators simply refused to fall out of playoff contention. With the door now wide open, Alfredsson could reunite with former teammate Zdeno Chara to chase a championship in Boston. 

2. Jarome Iginla

Jarome Iginla made the wrong call in April when he nixed a deal that would have sent him to Boston. Instead, Iginla chose to join the Pittsburgh Penguins, and he paid the price in the postseason. 

Just weeks after the Bruins responded to the snub with a sweep of the Penguins in the Eastern Conference Final, Iginla may be offered a second chance to play in Boston. Though fans might be slow to accept the former Calgary Flames captain, he fits Boston's needs to a tee. 

The 36-year-old reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2004, but he hasn't even come close to the Cup since losing to the Tampa Bay Lightning in seven games. He could probably get a bigger deal elsewhere, but his best shot at a title might be in Boston. 

The two-time "Rocket" Richard Trophy winner is a shoot-first right winger, who isn't afraid to battle down low. A consummate professional, he could be the missing piece to put Boston over the hump. 

He put up 33 points in 44 games this season, adding 12 more in the playoffs. As the most proven goal-scorer on the market, Iginla certainly merits a call from the Bruins at the very least. 

3. Michael Ryder

History could repeat itself for Michael Ryder and the Bruins this summer. Back in 2008, the Bruins made an uncharacteristic move to snag Ryder out of free agency following the winger's exit from Montreal. This July the Bruins are in the market to make a very similar move. 

Ryder left Boston after winning the Stanley Cup in 2011, going on to enjoy a career year with the Dallas Stars. Ryder kept up the good work this past season, with 16 goals and 35 points split between Dallas and Montreal, who acquired him in a mid-season trade. 

A fairly consistent goal scorer on the right wing, Ryder struggled in his final two seasons with the Bruins, but he is a proven commodity in the playoffs. Familiar with the Boston roster, he could fit right in on either of Boston's top two lines, which have remained unchanged at center and left wing since his departure. 

A cheaper alternative to Iginla, though less desperate for a championship, Ryder could be a very nice fit in Beantown once again. 

4. Danny Briere

After years of tormenting the Bruins as a member of the Buffalo Sabres and Philadelphia Flyers, Danny Briere could end up tying his skates in the home locker room at the TD Garden come October. The Flyers used one of their compliance buyouts to rid themselves of the final three years of Briere's eight-year pact, forcing him to find a new home. 

The Flyers snagged Boston-target Vinny Lecavalier on Tuesday evening, making Briere a legitimate option for the Bruins. The 35-year-old Briere stumbled through the lockout- shortened season, scoring just six goals. However, Briere may not be done just yet. 

He is only two seasons removed from a 34 goal season, and a change of scenery might be just what he needs to revive his career. The four-time 30-goal scorer has never won a Stanley Cup, suggesting that he should be looking to join a contender. 

It is unclear what level of interest Briere will attract. If teams are reluctant to throw money at him, the Bruins might be able to get a steal. 

5. Brad Boyes

One under-the-radar player available this summer is former Bruin Brad Boyes. Boyes enjoyed a superb rookie year with the Bruins back in 2005-06, scoring 26 goals and chipping in 43 assists. At 31-years-old, he could provide solid value as a second-line winger. 

Boyes quietly enjoyed a great season with the up-and-coming New York Islanders. Playing alongside John Tavares and Matt Moulson, Boyes scored 10 goals and totaled 35 points. After two awful seasons in Buffalo, Boyes proved that he can succeed when combined with talented linemates. 

In Boston he could complement either David Krejci or Patrice Bergeron nicely. Boyes would also improve the Bruins consistently disappointing power play. His 13 powerplay points this season dwarfed Krejci's team leading total of seven. 

Boyes has scored 26 or more goals three times in his career, lighting the lamp 43 times in 2007-08 as a member of the St. Louis Blues. 

If Boyes is overlooked at the start of free agency, the Bruins might be smart to make an offer. 

6. David Clarkson

David Clarkson is exactly what the Bruins are looking for, unfortunately there is almost no chance that he will sign in Boston. The former New Jersey Devil started the 2013 season on a remarkable tear, scoring 10 goals in the first 14 games of the season. 

Despite the fact that he hit the back of the net only five times in the remaining 34 contests, Clarkson is set to demand a huge raise, and the Bruins are most likely not in a position to afford his services.

The 29-year-old bruiser would be a superb fit in Boston with his enthusiasm for banging bodies and his willingness to grind in front of the net. If the Bruins break the bank to acquire him, he could become one half of a formidable duo of power forwards with Milan Lucic.  

However, Clarkson is far more likely to be overpaid by a team with tons of cap room. 

6. Jaromir Jagr

Following Jagr's inexplicable failure to score a single goal in 22 playoff games, Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli told the 41-year-old legend to start looking for work elsewhere. However, Nathan Horton's surprising decision to leave town might make Chiarelli eat his words. 

Per ESPN's Joe McDonald, Chiarelli offered the following comment about potentially resigning Jagr on Wednesday morning: "We have thought about circling back. We may re-visit."

The hard-working Jagr was visibly frustrated with his goal drought throughout the playoffs, but he was still a valuable winger for the Bruins after coming over from Dallas at the trade deadline in exchange for Lane MacDermid and a first round pick. 

Well into his second decade of professional hockey, Jagr seems intent to keep playing until the day he dies, and his remarkable ability to possess the puck will guarantee that he gets a few phone calls this month. 

Although he is hardly an ideal option for the Bruins, the future Hall of Famer could be back for another go around in the fall.