Predicting the 10 Biggest Spenders in 2015 NHL Free Agency

When the NHL's free-agent period opens on July 1, there will be the usual rush among general managers to sign the best available talent. Each year, a handful of teams outspend the others. 

Salary-cap space is the biggest factor in determining which clubs will be the most active in the free-agent market. Roster needs, cost of re-signing key players, available free-agent talent and willingness to spend toward the cap ceiling also play significant roles.

The following slideshow predicts the 10 teams that will be the biggest spenders in this year's NHL free-agent market. Free free to voice your opinion in the comments section.

10. San Jose Sharks

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Salary-cap space: The San Jose Sharks have over $14.9 million in cap space for 2015-16.

Notable players to be re-signed: Starting goalie Antti Niemi is an unrestricted free agent and could test the market this summer. Defenseman Brenden Dillon is a restricted free agent.

Roster needs: If Niemi departs, the Sharks need a starting goaltender. They could also use some depth on defense and their checking lines.

Free-agent targets: Minnesota's Devan Dubnyk is currently the best available goaltending option. Montreal's Jeff Petry, Boston's Adam McQuaid or Nashville's Cody Franson might be worthwhile defense options. Chicago's Antoine Vermette, Minnesota's Chris Stewart or Washington's Joel Ward could be third-line possibilities.

9. Nashville Predators

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Salary-cap space: The Nashville Predators have over $29.7 million in cap space for 2015-16. 

Notable players to be re-signed: Forwards Mike Fisher, Mike Ribeiro, Craig Smith and Colin Wilson are free agents. Retaining them could take a significant chunk out of that cap space. 

Roster needs: Management's willingness to spend, plus the remaining cap space after re-signing their key players, will determine the Predators' activity in the free-agent market. They should have enough to address their need for a scoring winger and depth on their checking lines.

Free-agent targets: Los Angeles right wing Justin Williams, Winnipeg's Drew Stafford or Anaheim's Matt Beleskey could be scoring options. Minnesota's Chris Stewart, Ottawa's Erik Condra or Washington's Jay Beagle could bolster the checking lines.

8. Winnipeg Jets

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Salary-cap space: The Winnipeg Jets have over $21 million in cap space for 2015-16. 

Notable players to be re-signed: Forwards Drew Stafford and Michael Frolik are unrestricted free agents. If both are re-signed, there should be sufficient cap space remaining to address other roster needs. That depends upon management's willingness to invest more money in their lineup. 

Roster needs: If the Jets fail to re-sign Stafford or Frolik or both, they'll be in the market for scoring wingers. The Jets could use more experienced checking-line depth, especially on the fourth line. 

Free-agent targets: Anaheim's Matt Beleskey could be a good fit if either Stafford or Frolik departs. They could also kick the tires on Los Angeles right wing Justin Williams. Checking-line options could include Florida's Tomas Kopecky, Ottawa's Erik Condra or Washington's Jay Beagle.

7. Washington Capitals

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Salary-cap space: The Washington Capitals have over $19.4 million in cap space for 2015-16.

Notable players to be re-signed: Restricted free agents include goaltender Braden Holtby and forwards Evgeny Kuznetsov and Marcus Johansson. While they could take up a considerable chunk of cap space, there should be enough space left to address other needs.

Roster needs: The Washington Post's Alex Prewitt reports that Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan said adding a top-line right wing is a priority this summer. If forwards Joel Ward, Eric Fehr and Jay Beagle depart via free agency, finding replacements will be necessary. 

Free-agent targets: Los Angeles' Justin Williams, as well as Winnipeg's Drew Stafford or Michael Frolik could be their best options at right wing. Ottawa's Erik Condra could be a worthy addition to their checking lines.

6. Dallas Stars

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Salary-cap space: The Dallas Stars have over $15 million in cap space for 2015-16. 

Notable players to be re-signed: None that are real musts. Backup goalie Jhonas Enroth and forwards Shawn Horcoff and Patrick Eaves are unrestricted free agents. It's unlikely they'll be back.

Roster needs: The Stars gave up the fourth-most goals this season and need a proven backup goalie for starter Kari Lehtonen. They also possess one of the youngest blue lines in the league and could use an experienced top-four defenseman.

Free-agent targets: Goaltending options could include Calgary's Karri Ramo, Columbus' Curtis McElhinney and Philadelphia's Ray Emery. Washington's Mike Green, Pittsburgh's Paul Martin and Los Angeles' Andrej Sekera could be prime blue-line targets.

5. Edmonton Oilers

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Salary-cap space: The Edmonton Oilers have over $18 million in cap space for 2015-16. 

Notable players to be re-signed: Center Derek Roy is an unrestricted free agent, while young defensemen Justin Schultz and Martin Marincin are restricted free agents. Re-signing them should still leave sufficient room to address other needs via free agency.

Roster needs: The Oilers need a proven starting goaltender and a top-two defenseman. They could also use skilled depth on their checking lines.

Free-agent targets: It's unlikely Minnesota's Devan Dubnyk will return to Edmonton, so that leaves San Jose's Antti Niemi as the best available starting goalie. Los Angeles' Andrej Sekera, Pittsburgh's Paul Martin or perhaps Washington's Mike Green could be their blue-line targets.

4. Calgary Flames

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Salary-cap space: The Calgary Flames have over $23 million in cap space for 2015-16. 

Notable players to be re-signed: Goalie Karri Ramo is unrestricted, while forwards Mikael Backlund, Lance Bouma and Josh Jooris are restricted free agents. All should be affordable re-signings, leaving the Flames with considerable space to pursue veteran depth.

Roster needs: Regarding the Flames' defense, Kristen Odland of the Calgary Herald reports they still need “another workhorse or a prime-time blueliner.” She also notes that the Flames are thin at right wing.

Free-agent targets: Pittsburgh's Paul Martin, Montreal's Jeff Petry, Los Angeles' Andrej Sekera or Anaheim's Francois Beauchemin could be among the Flames' rearguard targets. Scoring forward options could include Anaheim's Matt Beleskey, Los Angeles' Justin Williams or Winnipeg's Michael Frolik.

3. New Jersey Devils

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Salary-cap space: The New Jersey Devils have over $21 million in cap space for 2015-16. 

Notable players to be re-signed: Defensemen Eric Gelinas and Adam Larsson are restricted free agents and should prove affordable re-signings. 

Roster needs: While sound defensively, the Devils were among the league's lowest-scoring teams this season. If the Devils hope to reach the playoffs next season, new general manager Ray Shero must bolster their offense.

Free-agent targets: Options include Los Angeles' Justin Williams, Nashville's Mike Ribeiro, Anaheim's Matt Beleskey or Winnipeg wingers Michael Frolik or Drew Stafford.

2. Arizona Coyotes

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Salary-cap space: The Arizona Coyotes have over $34.7 million in cap space for 2015-16. 

Notable players to be re-signed: Right wing Mikkel Boedker and defenseman John Moore. Boedker, coming off a two-year deal worth $2.55 million annually, could get double that on a long-term extension. 

Roster needs: On April 13, Fox Sports Arizona's Craig Morgan reported that the Coyotes intend to search for veterans to complement their young players. General manager Don Maloney and coach Dave Tippett told Morgan the club must find a center and at least one physical defenseman. They also need a backup goaltender.

Free-agent targets: Center options could include Chicago's Brad Richards, Edmonton's Derek Roy, Nashville's Mike Fisher or Vancouver's Shawn Matthias. Defensemen could include Anaheim's Francois Beauchemin or Boston's Adam McQuaid. Edmonton's Viktor Fasth and Philadelphia's Ray Emery could be backup goalie targets.

1. Buffalo Sabres

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Salary-cap space: The Buffalo Sabres have over $25.2 million in cap space for 2015-16. 

Notable players to be re-signed: Goaltender Anders Lindback is an unrestricted free agent. Fellow netminder Matt Hackett is a restricted free agent. If re-signed, they won't put much of a dent in the Sabres' cap space. 

Roster needs: The Sabres had the league's worst record this season and need help at every position. While possessing plenty of promising youth, the Sabres lack an experienced starting goaltender, skilled defensemen and scoring forwards.

Free-agent targets: Starting goalies include Minnesota's Devan Dubnyk and San Jose's Antti Niemi. Defensemen such as Washington's Mike Green, Pittsburgh's Paul Martin, Montreal's Jeff Petry or Nashville's Cody Franson could be in the Sabres' sights. Offensive forwards could include Los Angeles' Justin Williams, Winnipeg's Michael Frolik or Anaheim's Matt Beleskey.

Players stats via NHL.com. Salary information via NHLNumbers.com. Available cap space for each club is based upon the current $69 million ceiling effective May 22, 2015.