NHL Free Agents: Power Ranking Shea Weber and the Top Defensemen on the Market

The NHL offseason is always a tumultuous affair that has feelings hurt and teams looking for answers.

One of the biggest keys to a successful team in today’s NHL is depth and skill on defense.

With a talented batch of free agents about to hit the market, teams will be on a feeding frenzy for quality defensemen to shore up their back end.

The following list is of the top defensemen on the market come the free agency period during this offseason. Enjoy.

10. Eric Brewer

Joel Auerbach/Getty Images

SUNRISE, FL - FEBRUARY 8: Eric Brewer #4 of the St. Louis Blues waits for a face off against the Florida Panthers on February 8, 2011 at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida. The Blues defeated the Panthers 2-1. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images

Eric Brewer was the leader for the Blues when the team was going through some really tough times.

He was shipped to Tampa Bay and depending on how far they go in the playoffs, he may want to stay with the Lightning.

If he does decide to test the free agency market, he will certainly draw interest, but it may not be the $4.25 million annually he made with the St. Louis Blues.

9. Scott Hannan

Paul Bereswill/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 22: Scott Hannan #23 of the Washington Capitals skates during an NHL hockey game against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center on March 22, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)

When the Washington Capitals went out and got Scott Hannan from the Avalanche, they knew he would probably be a rental player.

That is unless he decides to take less money than the $4.5 Million he made this season.

Hannan is one of the best defensive defenders in the league and would be a good addition to any team in the league, if the pay is right.

Hannan has fit in well in Washington, but he will have to take less money to stay with a contender.

8. Ed Jovanovski

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 14: Marcus Johansson #90 of the Washington Capitals avoids the sliding Ed Jovanovski #55 of the Phoenix Coyotes as he skates in to score during the second period of the NHL game at Jobing.com Arena on February 14, 2011 in Glendale

Ed Jovanovski is the backbone of the Phoenix defense and his injury has exposed the Coyotes a bit.

While Keith Yandle is the future, Jovanovski is their best shutdown defender and a great penalty killer. Any team would love to have him, but there is one glaring problem.

With Jovo about to turn 35 before his contract is signed, he will be guaranteed the money in his contract.

He will probably have to take a pay cut from the $6.5 million he makes annually, but there could be teams out there looking to overpay to bring in a veteran defender. It all depends on how much he wants to win the Stanley Cup.

7. James Wisniewski

Elsa/Getty Images

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 24: James Wisniewski #20 of the Montreal Canadiens takes the puck in the third period against the Boston Bruins on March 24, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Bruins defeated the Montreal Canadiens 7-0. (Phot

James Wisniewski will be looking for a long-term contract at the conclusion of this season. He has bounced around during the last few seasons and will be seeking stability.

Wisniewski will be one of the best offensive defenders on the market this year and will garnish plenty of interest across the NHL.

While he made $3.25 million last season, Wisniewki will probably get more than that from a team looking for help on the blue line and on the powerplay.

6. Andrei Markov

Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images

MONTREAL - NOVEMBER 9: Andrei Markov #79 of the Montreal Canadiens defends against Jannik Hansen #36 of the Vancouver Canucks during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on November 9, 2010 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images

Andrei Markov made almost $6 million dollars annually with the Montreal Canadiens, but I don’t see him making anywhere near that again.

When on the ice Markov is one of the best all around defensemen in the NHL and has an offensive prowess that is great.

Markov’s problem is that he hasn’t been able to stay healthy. Since turning 30 years old, Markov has only played 52 games and has multiple surgeries.

While he may be a health risk, his talent is too great for him not to get a contract somewhere.

5. Christian Ehrhoff

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 08: Christian Ehrhoff #4 of the Vancouver Canucks lays a body check onto Taylor Pyatt #14 of the Phoenix Coyotes during the first period of the NHL game at Jobing.com Arena on March 8, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian

Christian Ehrhoff has been a big part of Vancouver’s success this season and has been the most consistent defender on the team.

With injuries to blueliners all season, Ehrhoff was a steadying force on the backend for the Canucks.

Ehrhoff added 49 points this season and will probably command more than the $3.1 million he made this year. Whether Vancouver signs him or he signs elsewhere, he will be a big part of the team going forward.

4. Bryan McCabe

Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images

OTTAWA, CANADA - MARCH 04: Bryan McCabe #28 of the New York Rangers looks to make a pass up ice in a game against the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Place on March 4, 2011 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images)

Bryan McCabe will sign a 35+ contract as a free agent this offseason and will become a leader on whatever team he signs with.

Depending on his personal view of the importance of winning versus getting paid, that will determine his willingness to take a pay cut.

McCabe made $5.75 million last year and still has a lot to offer. He can be a treat on the powerplay and his leadership abilities are something a young team could really learn from.

3. Drew Doughty

Rich Lam/Getty Images

VANCOUVER, CANADA - MARCH 31: Henrik Sedin #33 of the Vancouver Canucks gets called for hooking Drew Doughty #8 of the Los Angeles Kings during the first period in NHL action on March 31, 2011 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/

Drew Doughty is the first player on this list who is a restricted free agent. That means if a team makes an offer to him, the Kings can match the offer or let him go and be compensated with quality picks.

While most believe that the Kings would never let him go, a team looking to make a splash could go all in and take the risk of losing a ton of picks to bring in a star defender.

The Kings will be trying to restructure the deal so that he stays in LA for a long time, but you better believe teams will be after him.

2. Tomas Kaberle

Elsa/Getty Images

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 24: Tomas Kaberle #12 of the Boston Bruins takes the puck as Travis Moen #32 of the Montreal Canadiens defends on March 24, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Tomas Kaberle is one of the most intriguing of the unrestricted free agent defenders of this upcoming offseason.

He has been stuck on a bad Maple Leafs for years and he has to decide where his best chance of winning will be.

Depending on how the Bruins do this postseason, they may have the inside track on re-signing him in the offseason.

Kaberle will garner around the $4.25 million he made this season, next season not matter where he goes.

1. Shea Weber

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

DENVER, CO - MARCH 31: Shea Weber #6 of the Nashville Predators warms up prior to facing the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center on March 31, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. Rinne had 27 saves as the Nashville Predators defeated the Colorado Avalanche 3-2.

While Nashville will be the most likely spot for Weber next season, you better believe that teams will be making offers. He will be a restricted free agent this offseason.

Weber is the most versatile defender on the market and could the cornerstone of a franchise. He is only 25 years old and is already one of the premier defensemen in the NHL.

He can add in the offensive zone with the best of them and play an absolute shut down game when it calls for it. Weber plays on the penalty kill and the powerplay and doesn’t mind doing anything for the team to win.