NHL Free Agent Rumors: Zach Parise and the Top 18 Players Likely Changing Teams

NHL free agency begins in a little over two weeks, on July 1st. There are plenty of interesting storylines waiting to happen, including where top free-agent Brad Richards will end up.

It is also looking to be a very interesting offseason regarding the high-profile RFAs on the market.

Plenty of the top free agents will remain with their 2010-11 teams, but it looks like many of them will be changing uniforms too.

Here are the top 18 players likely changing teams this offseason.

18. Sami Salo

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VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 10: Sami Salo #6 of the Vancouver Canucks skates during Game Five of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Arena on June 10, 2011 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Sami Salo will not be a member of the Vancouver Canucks again next season.

Some say that Salo will hang up his skates after the season, but I see him returning, just with a different team. The Canucks won't re-sign him, as they'll need to re-sign both Kevin Bieksa and Christian Ehrhoff.

One possible destination for Salo could be with the Detroit Red Wings. The Wings are supposedly interested in Kevin Bieksa and Christian Ehrhoff, but if both are re-signed by Vancouver, the Wings could turn to Salo.

17. Scottie Upshall

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GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 24: Scottie Upshall #9 of the Columbus Blue Jackets during the NHL game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena on March 24, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Blue Jackets 3-0. (Photo by Christian Petersen

The Columbus Blue Jackets acquired forward Scottie Upshall from the Phoenix Coyotes before the trade deadline this past year, along with Sami Lepisto, in exchange for Rotislav Klesla.

Upshall will become a UFA next month and The Columbus Dispatch doesn't expect him to be re-signed and I don't either.

Upshall scored 22 goals and 34 points in 2010-11. He made $2.25 million this past year and will probably be looking for another contract in the same ballpark.

He'll probably be a late sign, as teams will be going after the star free agents first.

16. Jean-Sebastien Giguere

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TORONTO, CAN - FEBRUARY 7: Jean-Sebastien Giguere #35 of the Toronto Maple Leafs watches for a shot in a game against the Atlanta Thrashers on February 7, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. The Leafs defeated the Thrashers 5-4. (Photo by C

The Toronto Maple Leafs signed James Reimer to a three-year contract, cementing his status as starter. This means Jean-Sebastien Giguere is on his way out of town.

Where will the veteran goaltender end up?

Phoenix could be one destination. As part of their plan for goaltenders next season, the Coyotes are after a veteran.

Giguere fits that bill.

15. Ray Emery

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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

Ray Emery made his comeback from his career-threatening injury for the Anaheim Ducks this past season.

Emery, along with Dan Ellis, helped fill in while Jonas Hiller was battling vertigo. However, Hiller should be back as starter next season. With Ellis backing him up, there is probably no need for Emery.

Ducks GM Bob Murray told the OC Register that he hadn't spoken with Emery's agent about the prospect of re-signing him.

Emery will want to be a starter anyways, with a few options still out there for him, including Phoenix.

14. Devin Setoguchi

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - MAY 15: Devin Setoguchi #16 of the San Jose Sharks shoots the puck in Game One of the Western Conference Finals against the Vancouver Canucks during the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Arena on May 15, 2011 in Vancouver, British C

Devin Setoguchi is set to become an RFA next month and his name has come up in a lot of different trade scenarios already.

While the Sharks would probably like to keep Setoguchi, since there seems to be so much interest in him, it might be in their better interest to deal him.

The most notable trade partner suggested has been the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Since Leafs GM Brian Burke is trying to build a younger team, Setoguchi could work out. He played well for the Sharks in the playoffs and could be a good addition to the Leafs.

13. Kris Versteeg

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 02: Kris Versteeg #10 of the Philadelphia Flyers skates in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Boston Bruins during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on May 2, 2011 in Philadelphia, Penns

The Philadelphia Flyers traded for Kris Versteeg and now it looks like they're trying to trade him away.

The New York Islanders were reportedly interested in Versteeg, however, that deal seems unlikely since the teams are in the same division. Plus, that was amidst talks of Evgeni Nabokov going to Philly and now, obviously, the Flyers are trying to sign Ilya Bryzgalov.

Another possibility could be dealing Versteeg to Columbus, if they'll take him, rather than moving Jeff Carter.

Either way, the Flyers want to move Versteeg and his just over $3 million cap hit to help make room to sign Bryzgalov.

12. James Wisniewski

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MONTREAL, CANADA - APRIL 18: James Wisniewski #20 of the Montreal Canadiens turns up ice with the puck in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Boston Bruins during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre on April 18

It looks like the Montreal Canadiens are going to let defenseman James Wisniewski test the free-agent market come July 1.

Wisniewski could become a prime defensive target this offseason, especially if other top defensive targets Shea Weber, Kevin Bieksa and Christian Ehrhoff re-sign with their respective teams.

One team that could target Wisniewski is the Detroit Red Wings. Since they're looking for defense to replace Brian Rafalski, Wisniewski could bring it.

Wisniewski just might be able to garner more on the free-agent market than from the Canadiens.

11. Jeff Carter

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 16: Jeff Carter #17 of the Philadelphia Flyers skates in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Buffalo Sabres during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on April 16, 2011 in Philadelphia

The Jeff Carter trade rumors are hard to predict. First, when the talks of how the Philadelphia Flyers could secure a top goaltender, Carter's name came up as far as moving salary to sign one.

Then, once the Flyers traded for Ilya Bryzgalov's rights, everyone had Carter out of town, in order to sign Bryz.

There have been many interested parties in Carter, including reportedly the Toronto Maple Leafs and Columbus Blue Jackets.

However, it is possible that the Flyers won't move Carter and find other salary to move. Still, Carter might be the easiest and quickest to move.

10. Ville Leino

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 02: Ville Leino #22 of the Philadelphia Flyers skates during Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Boston Bruins during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on May 2, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pen

Another Philadelphia Flyer that might be sacrificed in order to sign Ilya Bryzgalov may be Ville Leino. Since the Philadelphia Flyers are going to have to let some guys walk, one of the most likely is pending UFA Leino. 

Leino has drawn a lot of interest already as one of the better forwards left after Brad Richards signs.

Possible new teams for Leino include the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings.

9. Chris Drury

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NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 09: Chris Drury #23 of the New York Rangers skates in warmups prior to the game against the New Jersey Devils at Madison Square Garden on April 9, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Jonathan Klein/Getty Images)

The New York Rangers intend to buy out the remainder of Chris Drury's contract and part ways with their captain.

Drury should find another home elsewhere, bringing veteran leadership, as well as skill on faceoffs and the penalty kill to the table. It'll come at a much lower price than the $7,050,000 price tag he would have with the Rangers.

Drury will probably be bought out very soon after buyout begins, this Wednesday.

8. Stephen Weiss

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UNIONDALE, NY - FEBRUARY 21: Stephen Weiss #9 of the Florida Panthers waits for a faceoff during an NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders at the Nassau Coliseum on February 21, 2011 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)

Brad Richards may be the most sought-after center this offseason, but Stephen Weiss of the Florida Panthers may have quite a few potential suitors as well.

The New York Rangers obviously really want to sign Richards, but if they can't, Weiss may fill their needs. Same could be said for Toronto.

While the Panthers may not want to part ways with Weiss, they could be offered a trade that they can't resist.

For a team looking to rebuild, it seems very likely that Weiss will wear a different uniform next season.

7. Clarke MacArthur

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PHILADELPHIA - MARCH 03: Clarke MacArthur #16 of the Toronto Maple Leafs in action against oThe Philadelphia Flyers during their game on March 3, 2011 at The Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Clarke MacArthur is a great young forward, who the Toronto Maple Leafs would like to keep.

However, there is considerable interest in MacArthur and Brian Burke may take advantage of one of the offers.

After a career year in Toronto, MacArthur is looking really good to a lot of teams not in the Brad Richards race.

Plus, if the Leafs get Richards or another top center, they could afford to trade MacArthur for the top return that he would garner for the team.

6. Tomas Kaberle

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BOSTON, MA - JUNE 06: Tomas Kaberle #12 of the Boston Bruins skates against of the Vancouver Canucks during Game Three of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final at TD Garden on June 6, 2011 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

It would be great for the Boston Bruins if they could keep Tomas Kaberle. Unfortunately, Kaberle can probably get paid what he wants on the free-agent market and he'll probably take it.

Teams like the Detroit Red Wings will likely be very interested in Kaberle, especially since Brian Rafalski retired.

The Bruins can let Kaberle walk and re-sign Michael Ryder instead.

5. Simon Gagne

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BOSTON, MA - MAY 17: Simon Gagne #12 of the Tampa Bay Lightning looks on in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Bruins during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on May 17, 2011 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Bru

Steve Yzerman and the Tampa Bay Lightning have a lot of players that they need to re-sign this offseason. First and foremost is Steven Stamkos, who will command a large contract.

The Lightning would like to keep Simon Gagne, but unfortunately, they can't re-sign everybody.

Gagne seems like the one to go, especially with the uncertainty of his health following his concussions.

Gagne will get snatched up on the free-agent market though.

4. Brooks Laich

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WASHINGTON , DC - APRIL 23: Brooks Laich #21 of the Washington Capitals celebrates being named the third star of the game against the New York Rangers in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Ve

The Washington Capitals are looking to make some changes this offseason, following another unsuccessful postseason.

They'll probably let some free agents go and this might include Brooks Laich.

Laich isn't a superstar forward, but he gets the job done. He's a hard worker and finds success on the ice, whether offensively or defensively.

He's garnering a lot of interest on the free-agent market, with teams like the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs reportedly interested.

3. Zach Parise

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NEWARK, NJ - APRIL 02: Zach Parise #9 of the New Jersey Devils skates during an NHL hockey game against the Montreal Canadians at the Prudential Center on April 2, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)

Zach Parise has said that the New Jersey Devils have yet to contact him regarding a contract, which leads to a lot of speculation that he will not be a Devil next season.

Although the rumors have the Devils filing for arbitration, that isn't the best-case scenario for the Devils and allows Parise to become a UFA next summer.

If they can't sign him to a long-term deal, they should trade him, as they'll get a great deal for the star forward and there will be a lot of interest.

2. Ilya Bryzgalov

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GLENDALE, AZ - APRIL 20: Goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov #30 of the Phoenix Coyotes in action during Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Detroit Red Wings during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Jobing.com Arena on April 20, 2011

The Phoenix Coyotes recognized that they wouldn’t be able to give Ilya Bryzgalov the contract that he desires. So, they traded his rights to the Philadelphia Flyers, thus getting something for him.

In order to sign him, the Flyers need to make some moves to make the cap room for him.

The Flyers will probably find a way to sign Bryzgalov and if they don't, another lucky team will snatch him up and give him the contract he desires.

1. Brad Richards

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 05: Brad Richards #91 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)

We know for sure that he is changing teams, since the Dallas Stars announced that they can’t re-sign him given their financial situation.

Now it’s just a matter of where he will end up.

The New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs are the biggest contenders, with the sleeper being Tampa Bay Lightning.

The New York Rangers seem to be inching closer to Richards, after the news broke that they are looking to buy out both Chris Drury and Wojtek Wolski, freeing some of the cap space that Richards will require.