NHL Free Agents 2011: 10 Fan Favorites Who Likely Won't Be Returning Next Year

It's sometimes quite difficult to see a player whom you've grown fond of leave your team. You have to wonder if the team dynamic will be the same, or if anyone will step up to fill the void created by the loss.

There are some NHL players who have seemingly been around forever. You know that it's their time to go, but you hate to see it.

Other times, health is a concern. Careers are unfortunately cut short by injuries, and you wonder what could have been.

Sometimes when your favorite players leave your team, it's a matter of circumstance. Maybe the money they were looking for just wasn't to be had or perhaps they have grown weary with the management.

I've compiled a list of some fan favorites who probably won't—or, in some cases, definitely won't—return to their teams next season. 

Adam Foote, Colorado Avalanche

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GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 07: Adam Foote #52 of the Colorado Avalanche skates against the Phoenix Coyotes at the Jobing.com Arena on February 7, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The Colorado Avalanche's captain, Adam Foote, decided to retire after a 19-year career.

Foote was the only player left who had suited up for the Quebec Nordiques. He played all but two-and-a-half seasons (during which he played for the Columbus Blue Jackets) for the Nordiques/Avalanche, winning two Stanley Cups (in 1996 and 2001) in the process.

Foote was a hulking presence in the back end and was always keen to deliver a big hit.

Doug Weight, New York Islanders

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SAN JOSE, CA - NOVEMBER 11: Doug Weight #93 of the New York Islanders in action against the San Jose Sharks on November 11, 2010 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Doug Weight has had a long and prosperous career in the NHL. In his 19 years, he has won a Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes and participated in three Olympic Games, playing for the United States.

After playing a season with the New York Islanders, his teammates selected him as captain in a locker room vote.

Weight is the kind of player who garnered respect from players across the league as well as fans.

After suffering back spasms early this past season, Weight decided to call it in and not return.

I suspect that he will decide to retire.

Ray Emery, Anaheim Ducks

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ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 22: Goalie Ray Emery #29 of the Anaheim Ducks makes a save against the Nashville Predators in Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center on April 22, 2011 in Anaheim, Cal

Anaheim Ducks' fans were elated when Ray Emery made his triumphant return to the NHL. Emery posted a 7-2-0 record in the regular season combined with a .926 save percentage and a 2.28 goals against average.

His numbers in the playoffs certainly weren't as good (2-3, .897 SV%, 3.20 GAA), but the goalie was laboring through a lower-body injury.

Assuming that Jonas Hiller returns to start the 2011-2012 season after getting over his vertigo, Emery will have lost his starting job for the Ducks.

I'm thinking that Emery, after showing the league what he can still do, is not too keen on being a backup.

Kris Draper, Detroit Red Wings

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DETROIT, MI - FEBRUARY 24: Kris Draper #33 of the Detroit Red Wings skates against the Dallas Stars on February 24, 2011 at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Kris Draper has been a member of the Detroit Red Wings since he was famously traded from the Winnipeg Jets for $1.

Once the speediest guy on the ice, Draper's 39 years seem to catching up with him. During the 2010-2011 season, the four-time Stanley Cup winner was frequently left out of the lineup, only playing 47 games for the Wings.

Draper is turning 40 in May.

It seems likely that he will choose to retire rather than sometimes play on Detroit's fourth line.

James Wisniewski, Montreal Canadiens

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MONTREAL, QC - APRIL 21: James Wisniewski #20 of the Montreal Canadiens tries to clear the puck off the boards while being pursued by Brad Marchand #63 and Patrice Bergeron #37 of the Boston Bruins in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals dur

With rumors of the Montreal Canadiens' management having talks with Andrei Markov and his agent, one has to wonder where that leaves James Wisniewski.

The offensive-defenseman will certainly command a large salary when he becomes an unrestricted free agent after posting a career-high 51 points and being a stalwart presence on the Habs' powerplay.

I believe that the Canadiens will have to choose between he and Markov, and I'm just not quite sure that The Wiz won't end up with the short end of the stick.

Sami Salo, Vancouver Canucks

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - APRIL 15: Michael Frolik #67 of the Chicago Blackhawks watches as Sami Salo #6 of the Vancouver Canucks attack the puck during the second period in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playof

When Sami Salo is healthy, he is a very good NHL defensemen. Unfortunately for the Salo and the Vancouver Canucks, he can't seem to shake the injury bug.

Salo has never played a full 82-game season in 12 tries.

With the emergence of Alex Edler, the signing of Dan Hamhuis last year and Christian Ehrhoff and Kevin Bieksa becoming unrestricted free agents in July along with Salo, Sami may be the odd man out.

In all likelihood, he will retire. 

Ilya Bryzgalov, Phoenix Coyotes

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GLENDALE, AZ - APRIL 20: Goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov #30 of the Phoenix Coyotes reacts after allowing a third period goal to Danny Cleary (not picutred) of the Detroit Red Wings in Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanl

Ilya Bryzgalov has made it abundantly clear that he would rather play in the KHL than in Winnipeg if the Phoenix Coyotes were to move there.

Although a deal with the NHL and True North (the group that is trying to buy a franchise for Winnipeg) has been put on hold, the city of Glendale is on the hook for $25 million, the Coyotes' loss reported by the NHL.

If Matthew Hulsizer does, in fact, choose to buy the 'Yotes and keep them in Arizona, will he want to dish out the money it would take to keep a franchise goaltender like Bryzgalov on his team? 

Steve Sullivan, Nashville Predators

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NASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 17: Steve Sullivan #26 of the Nashville Predators carries the puck behind goalie Ray Emery #29 of the Anaheim Ducks in Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bridgestone A

Steve Sullivan isn't the same player as he used to be, though his effort is certainly still there.

After suffering a career-threatening back injury in February of 2007, Sullivan missed the remainder of the 2006-2007 season as well as the entire 2007-2008 season.

Sullivan came back and continued to give it all he had, winning the Bill Masterson Trophy, awarded to the player who most exemplifies perseverance and dedication to the game, along the way.

Sullivan is turning 37 in the summer. He no longer plays a primary role for the Nashville Predators and underwent groin surgery in March. His mind and heart are certainly still in the game, but can his body continue to take it?

He is going to be faced with a difficult decision once his playoffs are over. 

Brad Richards, Dallas Stars

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LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 02: Brad Richards #91 of the Dallas Stars skates against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center on April 2, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Brad Richards was already expressed his discontent with the Dallas Stars organization and its ownership status.

I think it is very unlikely that Richards, the Stars' leading point-scorer and overall best player, will re-sign with Dallas once his contract expires in July.

Unfortunately for Stars' fans, the franchise may be set back a long time because of it. 

Teemu Selanne, Anaheim Ducks

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NASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 20: Teemu Selanne #8 of the Anaheim Ducks skates against Shane O'Brien #55 of the Nashville Predators in Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on April 20, 20

Teemu Selanne has not made a decision on whether he will be returning to the NHL next season or not.

If he chooses to retire, he will surely be leaving on a high note.

The 41-year-old Selanne posted 80 points this season including 31 goals. Before the Ducks were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, the Finnish Flash scored six goals and added an assist in Anaheim's six games.

He has certainly had a remarkable career, and it is evident that he can still excel.

It remains to be seen if he wants to continue.