NHL Free Agents 2011: Most Likely Addition for Each Team Heading into Summer

The conclusion of the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs and NHL draft has ended an exciting season of hockey, and now it's time for all 30 teams to head into free agency and improve their roster for next season.

Free agency begins July 1, and there are several star players who are likely to change teams this summer.

Dallas Stars forward Brad Richards is the most coveted unrestricted free agent of the summer.

He is a quality goal scorer with championship experience, and will command a lot of attention from top teams who need a No. 1 center.

Every team has holes to fill this offseason, so let's look at who your team should add in the summer to improve its roster for the 2011-12 NHL season.

Authors Note: Defenseman Kevin Bieksa signed a new deal with Vancouver a few hours after I submitted this article (June 27), I will fix the teams' slides where I had him as an addition. 

Nicholas Goss is a Boston Bruins featured columnist for Bleacher Report and was the organization's on-site reporter for the Stanley Cup Finals in Boston. Follow him on Twitter for Bruins playoff news and analysis. 

Boston Bruins: Re-Sign Tomas Kaberle

Although not a true addition, Boston Bruins defenseman Tomas Kaberle is an unrestricted free agent, and should be brought back to the team for the upcoming season.

Kaberle was acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs in a February trade to bolster the Bruins power play. However, Kaberle did not look comfortable in Boston, and struggled in his first few weeks with the team.

The Bruins' defensive style did not suit Kaberle well, and it took time for him to adjust. By the Stanley Cup Finals, Kaberle found his groove and looked comfortable in a Bruins sweater.

The Bruins could use Kaberle's offensive skills, such as his passing and puck-handling at the blue line, and if he does not demand a huge salary, Boston should re-sign him this summer.

Montreal Canadiens: Sign Christian Ehrhoff

The Montreal Canadiens have two of their best defensemen heading into the summer as unrestricted free agents: James Wisniewski and Andrei Markov.

Markov is 32 years old and has gone through injury problems of late, so it may be best to let him walk. 

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Christian Ehrhoff would be a nice replacement for Markov. Ehrhoff is a tremendous puck-mover and a gifted offensive player, having scored at least 40 points in each of the last three seasons.

He would be a good addition to an already solid Canadiens defensive corps that included the likes of PK Subban. 

Buffalo Sabres: Sign a Veteran Defenseman

With an enthusiastic new ownership that's willing to spend money, it looks like the Buffalo Sabres will be active in free agency this summer.

The Sabres need a veteran defenseman to add depth in front of star goalie Ryan Miller, and Vancouver Canucks defenseman Sami Salo and Montreal Canadiens defenseman Roman Hamrlik are two possible options. 

Ottawa Senators: Sign Zenon Konopka

New York Islanders forward Zenon Konopka would be a nice addition to the Ottawa Senators' third or fourth lines.

He is a physical player who checks hard, fights and wins many faceoffs. Konopka would give the Sens depth at the center position, and an offensive boost on the third and fourth lines for a price that won't break the bank.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Sign Brad Richards

The Toronto Maple Leafs have salary cap space and fans who are expecting a better season in 2012. The Leafs acquired forward Phil Kessel from Boston before the 2009-10 season for two first-round picks, and Kessel hasn't lived up to the hype.

The Bruins ended up receiving the second overall pick in the 2010 NHL draft, and the ninth overall pick in the 2011 draft from the trade.

One of the biggest needs for the Maple Leafs is at center, and Brad Richards would be a great addition for them.

He is big, can score goals and brings playoff experience to a young roster. Richards will cost a lot for many seasons, but he is a top center the Leafs can build around for a long time.

New Jersey Devils: Re-Sign Zach Parise Long-Term

Although not a true addition, it is important for the Devils to re-sign young forward Zach Parise long-term. 

He is the only Devils players in team history to score 30 goals in four straight seasons (2006-07 to 2009-10), and has his best days ahead of him.

The knee injury he suffered last season does not appear to be a major issue after he had surgery to correct the problem.

New York Rangers: Sign Brad Richards

The New York Rangers have craved a No. 1 center for many years, and with top forward Marion Gaborik always battling injuries, the Blueshirts need another top forward to carry the offensive burden.

Richards is a goal scorer, an above-average passer and would instantly make the Rangers a better offensive team.

The Rangers have several bad contracts, so they may be hesitant to give Richards a huge deal since he's in his 30s.

But the Rangers need offense badly, and cannot expect star goaltender Henrik Lundqvist to carry them for an entire season and playoffs.

Pittsburgh Penguins: Sign Michael Ryder

Michael Ryder has spent the last few seasons with the Boston Bruins, and has shown flashes of being a top forward but his play is way too inconsistent.

Ryder is a pure scorer, and a true sniper. He would benefit greatly on the wing for the Penguins alongside excellent passers such as Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

Those two will give the puck to Ryder in places where can score using his lethal wrist shot.

Philadelphia Flyers: Sign Brooks Laich

The Philadelphia Flyers have made two big trades to start their offseason, dealing away Jeff Carter in a trade with Columbus Blue Jackets, and departing with captain Mike Richards in a deal with the Los Angeles Kings.

The Flyers need an offensive boost to their third line, and someone who will be a physical presence on the ice.

Washington Capitals forward Brooks Laich is a good player for the Flyers to add in free agency, and at age 28, has many good seasons ahead of him.

Laich is a good offensive player, but is also a high-character guy and a great locker-room presence.

New York Islanders: Sign Sami Salo

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Sami Salo would give the New York Islanders a veteran defenseman to add to their young roster.

Salo is a leader and playoff-tested veteran, and would help the Islanders move the puck and score on the power play.

Carolina Hurricanes: Sign Jeff Halpern

The Carolina Hurricanes need a fourth-line center who will play well offensively, win faceoffs and be a part of the penalty-killing unit.

Montreal Canadiens forward Jeff Halpern fits that role well. The 35-year-old veteran can give the Hurricanes about 20-25 points next season, and would be effective at killing penalties.

He will not cost a lot to sign, likely under $1 million, and the young players on the 'Canes roster will be able to learn from him too.

Washington Capitals: Sign Chris Higgins

If the Washington Capitals lose forward Brooks Laich to free agency, signing Vancouver Canucks forward Chris Higgins would be a good replacement.

Higgins is a versatile player who can play left wing or center, and has scored 20 goals in a season multiple times in his career.

His playoff experience would greatly help the Capitals, who have struggled to get out of the second round of the playoffs in recent seasons.

Higgins also can be effective on both the power-play and penalty-kill units.

Tampa Bay Lightning: Re-Sign Steven Stamkos

The Tampa Bay Lightning have many offseason tasks this summer to remain a top Eastern Conference team, but re-signing restricted free agent forward Steven Stamkos is priority No. 1.

Stamkos is a top NHL goal scorer who is barely old enough to legally drink in the United States. He is capable of scoring 45-55 goals in a season.

The Lightning will have to match any offer Stamkos gets, but there may be one team willing to go up to around $140 million over 10 or 12 seasons.

Stamkos is a top-three offensive talent in the NHL, and has to be re-signed long-term to keep the Lightning a top team.

Florida Panthers: Sign Jim Vandermeer

The Florida Panthers are always a bottom feeder in the Southeast Division and the NHL as a whole.

One would wonder why South Florida still has an NHL team when there is little interest in the Panthers.

Either way, a defenseman is a strong need for Florida.

Edmonton Oilers defenseman Jim Vandermeer would add a veteran presence to the Panthers, and would help their penalty kill.

Winnepeg Jets: Sign Jason Arnott

The Winnepeg Jets have been re-established as a franchise, and have made Canada the new home of the Atlanta Thrashers franchise.

The Jets are a young team who need a veteran presence.

Centerman Jason Arnott is a playoff-tested veteran who has played 17 NHL seasons, and will be able to help the young Jets players.

He has scored 20 goals multiple times in his career, and would make a solid third or fourth-line center.

Chicago Blackhawks: Sign Sami Salo

The Chicago Blackhawks need a veteran defenseman now that Brian Campbell has been traded to the Florida Panthers.

Signing Vancouver Canucks defenseman Sami Salo would be a good choice for Chicago.

Salo is an experienced defenseman that plays well at both ends of the ice.

He would also help the Blackhawks power-play and penalty-killing units.

Columbus Blue Jackets: Sign James Wisniewski

The Columbus Blue Jackets finally acquired a talented offensive player in Jeff Carter from the Philadelphia Flyers to help Rick Nash shoulder the scoring burden.

Now they need a player who can boost the offense from the defensive corps, and Montreal Canadiens defenseman James Wisniewski is that kind of player.

Wisniewski had an impressive 51-point season last year, and is a good puck-moving defenseman.

He also would add toughness to the Blue Jackets blue line.

Detroit Red Wings: Sign Christian Ehrhoff

The Detroit Red Wings lost veteran defenseman Brian Rafalski to retirement this summer, so filling a spot on the top two defensive pairings is a priority this summer.

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Christian Ehrhoff would be a great fit in Detroit, and has the offensive skills to boost the Wings power play.

Nashville Predators: Re-Sign Shea Weber

The Nashville Predators need to add offensive help this summer, but re-signing their captain and Norris Trophy finalist Shea Weber is a must.

Weber is one of the finest young defensemen in the NHL, and is a physical player with good offensive skills too.

He is a also a leader and plays the game hard.

Weber is perfectly suited in Nashville's defense-first style of hockey, and losing him would cripple their chances of being a contender for years to come.

St. Louis Blues: Sign Ed Jovanovski

The St. Louis Blues need a veteran defenseman, and Phoenix Coyotes alternate captain Ed Jovanovski is a good fit.

Jovanovski is a physical player with a high hockey IQ, and can also add about 15-20 points for the Blues.

Calgary Flames: Sign Ville Leino

Philadelphia Flyers forward Ville Leino would make a nice addition to the Calgary Flames, who need an offensive boost at the wing positions.

Leino scored 19 goals and dished out 34 assists for 53 total points for the Flyers in 2011, and likely wouldn't cost the Flames too much to sign.

Colorado Avalanche: Sign Brooks Laich

The Colorado Avalanche need goal scoring, and Washington Capitals free-agent forward Brooks Laich would be a great fit in the Mile High City.

Laich dished out 113 hits in 2011 and scored 48 points. He was also a plus-14. 

He is a solid offensive player, and at age 28, has many good years ahead of him. Laich would add toughness and offense to the Avalanche's second or third lines.

Edmonton Oilers: Sign Steve Montandor

The Edmonton Oilers need to add depth to their defensive corps, and Steven Montador would be a veteran who could be acquired for cheap money.

Montador is a good all-around defenseman, and blocks a lot of shots.

He scored 21 points last season with the Buffalo Sabres, tallying five goals and 16 assists.

Minnesota Wild: Sign Joni Pitkanen

The Minnesota Wild need a veteran defenseman to fill in for Brent Burns, who was traded to the San Jose Sharks on draft night.

The Wild had to either extend Burns long-term or trade him, and now that they've decided to part ways, they need another defenseman for the top pairing.

Joni Pitkanen of the Carolina Hurricanes is a good choice for the Wild, and will help them offensively too.

Vancouver Canucks: Re-Sign Christian Ehrhoff

Kevin Bieksa and Christian Ehrhoff were two important defensemen for the Vancouver Canucks' run to the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals, and both are unrestricted free agents this summer.

Bieksa is the better of the two, and was one of the few bright spots on defense for the Canucks in the Cup Finals versus the Boston Bruins.

He just signed with the Canucks today to a long term deal, so retaining Ehrhoff is the top priority for Vancouver.

Ehrhoff is a very good offensive defenseman and fits in well with the Canucks style of play.

Anaheim Ducks: Trade for Canucks Backup Goalie Cory Schneider

The Anaheim Ducks have good depth on defense, and good offense in the form of Ryan Getzlaf, Bobby Ryan and 2011 Hart Trophy winner Corey Perry.

With that said, the Ducks need an upgrade in net, and trading for Vancouver Canucks backup goaltender Cory Schneider is a good solution.

Schneider is a solid goalie, and played better than star goalie Roberto Luongo at times against the Boston Bruins in this year's Stanley Cup Finals.

Schneider is ready to be a starting goalie, and shows the composure and mental strength to excel during the playoffs.

Dallas Stars: Sign Marcel Goc

The Dallas Stars have the most coveted free agent of the summer in center Brad Richards, and it is highly unlikely they re-sign him.

In that case, they need another center to fill his spot.

Marcel Goc of the Nashville Predators does not have the offensive prowess of Richards, but he's a physical player who is good at killing penalties.

Goc had 24 points for Nashville this season.

Los Angeles Kings: Sign Michael Ryder

The Los Angeles Kings made a blockbuster trade with the Philadelphia Flyers prior to the NHL draft last week by sending Wayne Simmonds, Brayden Schenn and a second-round pick in exchange for Mike Richards.

Now that they have depth at center, the Kings need a winger, and Boston Bruins winger Michael Ryder would be a great fit for L.A.

Ryder is a sniper and pure scorer, and would work well with the exceptional passing of Anze Kopitar and Richards.

Phoenix Coyotes: Sign James Wisniewski

The Phoenix Coyotes need an offensive defenseman that can score goals and boost the power play, and Montreal Canadiens defenseman James Wisniewski is that kind of player.

Wisniewski tallied 51 points last season, and is a physical presence on the blue line.

San Jose Sharks: Trade Joe Thornton

My addition for the San Jose Sharks this summer is an addition by subtraction. Veteran center Joe Thornton has been a top NHL player for many years, but he is unable to carry his team to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Thornton had a decent playoffs this season while battling injuries, but it's time for the Sharks to realize they aren't going anywhere with him.

The team is getting older, and acquiring some good young talent in exchange for Thornton is a good way to build for the future.