NHL Free Agency: Shea Weber and 10 Players That Will Be Too Expensive To Keep

As the playoffs approach, the coaches and players will be gearing up for the long playoff haul while the owners start to worry about other things.

Free agency is one of the hardest things for small market teams to deal with, and this offseason may see some of the biggest names switch teams.

Veteran players may start to get fed up with losing and try to force their way out of town, while other players have outgrown their contracts and their team can’t afford them anymore.

The following list is of the biggest names that may be on new teams next season. Enjoy!

10. Zach Parise

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NEWARK, NJ - OCTOBER 23: Zach Parise #9 of the New Jersey Devils skates against the Buffalo Sabres on October 23, 2010 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Sabres defeated the Devils 6-1. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

Zach Parise is one of the best young forwards in the league, but his contract may be too much for the cap-strapped New Jersey Devils.

With the $100-million contract of Ilya Kovalchuk on the books for a while, the Devils may be forced to let Parise go.

The Devils may look to move him before the deadline because Parise will be a free agent at the end of this season.

He had 94 and 82 points the last two years respectively, and he will be a very hot commodity on the free-agent market.

9. Tuukka Rask

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UNIONDALE, NY - FEBRUARY 17: Goalie Tuukka Rask #40 of the Boston Bruins makes a save during an NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders at the Nassau Coliseum on February 17, 2011 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)

This town ain’t big enough for the two of us.

In a showdown between Tom Thomas and Tuukka Rask, Rask is the lily liver laying dead in the streets.

Enough western jargon: Rask is as good as out in Boston.

Thomas has secured himself the starting job and it would be wise for the Bruins to consider moving Rask. They won’t be able to re-sign Tomas Kaberle if they don’t trade Rask.

8. Ville Leino

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 05: Ville Leino #22 of the Dallas Stars skates against the Philadelphia Flyers on February 5, 2011 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Flyers defeated the Stars 3-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Ville Leino is the prime example of a player outperforming his salary.

Leino will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and the cap-strapped Flyers may not be able to afford his services.

The Philadelphia Flyers should do everything in their power to lock Leino up long term. They can’t stand to lose his production; he has 41 points and is a plus-19 overall this season.

7. Ilya Bryzgalov

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GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 14: Goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov #30 of the Phoenix Coyotes is introduced before the NHL game against the Washington Capitals at Jobing.com Arena on February 14, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Capitals 3-2. (Phot

Ilya Bryzgalov has been one of the best goaltenders in the league since he signed on with the Phoenix Coyotes, and he wants to stay.

He is making $4.5 million and the next contract will be in the same vicinity.

The problem with the Coyotes is that they are funded by the NHL and they may not have the money to keep him aboard.

6. Bryan McCabe

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SUNRISE, FL - DECEMBER 27: Bryan McCabe #24 of the Florida Panthers takes his position in the face off circle against the Boston Bruins on December 27, 2010 at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida. The Bruins defeated the Panthers 3-2 in a shoot-ou

Bryan McCabe is one of the best offensive defensemen in the game, and he will probably not be a Panther.

McCabe will be a hot commodity at the trade deadline and the fact that he may leave as a free agent this summer may make a trade inevitable.

Any team looking for a big-time two-way threat for a deep playoff run may need to look no further than the Panthers and Bryan McCabe.

5. Brent Seabrook

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GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 12: Brent Seabrook #7 of the Chicago Blackhawks passes the puck during the NHL game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena on February 12, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Blackhawks 3-2 in an overtim

The Chicago Blackhawks will have a tough time paying free agents this offseason again, and Brent Seabrook may be the player left in the cold.

Seabrook makes $3.5 million this year and he will be in line to make more than that next season.

With the market being alive and the Blackhawks out of the playoffs right now, a move might be wise before they have to let him walk.

4. Tomas Kaberle

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OTTAWA, ON - FEBRUARY 18: Tomas Kaberle #12 of the Boston Bruins controls the puck at the blueline during a game against the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Place on February 18, 2011 in Ottawa, Canada. (Photo by Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images)

With all of the drama Tomas Kaberle has dealt with in Toronto, he will be looking for stability in the offseason.

The Boston Bruins obtained him for the playoff run, but they also have the inside line on re-signing him long term.

The problem is that he will garner heavy attention on the open market and that much money and freedom may be too intriguing for Kaberle to turn down.

3. Jarome Iginla

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CALGARY, CANADA - FEBRUARY 9: Jarome Iginla #12 of the Calgary Flames skates against the Ottawa Senators on February 9, 2011 at Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Dale MacMillan/Getty Images)

While it appears the Calgary Flames are making a real push for the playoffs, this might be the last run for Jarome Iginla in Calgary.

With a price tag of $7 million, the process of rebuilding a franchise will be greatly hampered by such a mammoth contract on the books.

I think a change would be good for both parties. Iginla would have a chance to win a Stanley Cup and the Flames could get some great pieces to rebuild with.

2. Brad Richards

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DALLAS, TX - FEBRUARY 13: Center Brad Richards #91 of the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center on February 13, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Brad Richards could be the biggest name on the free agency market this summer, and you'd better believe teams will be vying for his services.

Richards is the ultimate facilitator and he can make a team’s best player even better.

Besides his offensive prowess, he adds playoff and Stanley Cup experience as well as an ability to play well at both ends of the ice.

Putting Richards with a bona fide scorer could boost both into the top of the league's scoring.

1. Shea Weber

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COLUMBUS, OHIO - NOVEMBER 22: Shea Weber #6 of the Nashville Predators looks on during the game against Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Areana on November 22, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Of all of the decisions that need to be made this offseason, the most important decision lies in the hands of the Nashville Predators.

Shea Weber will become a restricted free agent, and there will be teams lined up around the block for his services.

Weber is making $4.5 million this year and will be due for a heavy pay raise. His 37 points leads the Predators, and with a better offensive team, his point totals will skyrocket.