NHL Free Agents 2011: Predicting the Biggest Contracts for the NHL Free Agency

There are some high profile players set to become either unrestricted or restricted free agents on Friday.

Some of these star players are looking at large contracts for the coming season, including Brad Richards and Steven Stamkos.

Last year's free agency saw Ilya Kovalchuk demand a huge contract from the New Jersey Devils, and all the controversy that followed.

None of these players' contracts should be as controversial, but many of them will be quite substantial nonetheless.

Here are seven players who should garner the largest contracts in this year's free agent class.

7. Teemu Selanne

At just about 41 years old, Teemu Selanne is one of the oldest players in the NHL and on the free agent market.

However, he is still one of the top scorers on his team and in the league.

He and the Ducks seem to be in agreement about him staying with the team, but there are probably a few other teams that would love to sign the veteran forward for a year or two (at the most) for a high price.

The Ducks will need to match or almost match that.

Of course, Selanne could decide to hang up his skates this summer, but why would he if he could come back for another season?

6. Drew Doughty

Drew Doughty is set to become an RFA, but the Los Angeles Kings will almost certainly lock him up.

The Kings have reportedly issued a "major offer" to the young defenseman, but the exact numbers are unknown.

If teammate and fellow defenseman Jack Johnson's contract this past season is any indication, Doughty is in for a big raise.

Johnson signed a seven-year, $30.5 million deal, putting his cap hit at about $4.3 million per season.

One has to assume that Doughty, who was a Norris Trophy finalist in 2009-10, will be getting a contract in the same ballpark, if not higher.

5. Christian Ehrhoff

The Vancouver Canucks sent the negotiating rights to defenseman Christian Ehrhoff to the New York Islanders in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick. Then, after Ehrhoff made it clear he wouldn't sign with the Islanders, his rights were moved to the Buffalo Sabres.

Ehrhoff will command a large contract as one of the few top free agent defensemen who hasn't been signed yet.

Andrei Markov of the Montreal Canadiens received a three-year, $17.25 million deal. Kevin Bieksa of the Vancouver Canucks received a five-year, $23 million deal and Joni Pitkanen's three-year deal with the Carolina Hurricanes is worth $13.5 million.

Ehrhoff's contract will likely be in the ballpark of Markov or Bieksa money.

4. Zach Parise

The New Jersey Devils filed for arbitration so that they will retain Zach Parise for at least another season. GM Lou Lamoriello said that they are looking to sign Parise to a long-term deal.

Parise will get at least $4.25 million a year and is probably in for a pay raise, perhaps up to $7 million per year.

If Parise can't get what he wants from the Devils, he could take it to arbitration and only sign a one-year deal, thus entering free agency next summer.

The Devils aren't likely to let that happen, as Parise is their best player.

3. Shea Weber

Like the Devils, the Nashville Predators filed for arbitration with Shea Weber, meaning they have until late July to reach a deal.

The Predators had said they would match any offers Weber received on the free market, so it sounds like they're looking to get him a long-term, hefty deal at the price Weber is looking for.

He'll probably get around $6 million per year, especially considering that he's younger than players like Andrei Markov or Kevin Bieksa and is a vital part of his team's success.

2. Steven Stamkos

Steven Stamkos is in for a large payout, as he's one of the top-five players in the NHL.

There has been interest in Stamkos as expected, but the Tampa Bay Lightning have not filed for arbitration with the center in order to prevent incoming offer sheets.

This probably means that the two sides are close to striking a deal, or that they are confident that Stamkos wants to remain in Tampa.

Many people argue that Stamkos is along the same lines as stars Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin. Crosby has a cap hit of $8.7 million per year and Ovechkin of over $9.5 million.

Since the Lightning have so many players to sign, it is highly unlikely that Stamkos will make as much as either of those players, but he will receive a big contract.

1. Brad Richards

Brad Richards is the free agent most in-demand and there's no shortage of teams interested in signing the center.

Richards has said that he's most interested in getting another shot at the Stanley Cup, not so much in the price tag.

Of the teams interested in Richards, the Tampa Bay Lightning were the closest to the Cup this past season. Richards would have to take a significant pay cut to return to Tampa, but perhaps he'd be willing to for another shot at the Cup playing in the city where he won his first.

Even if Richards takes a pay cut, he'll be making at least $5 million per year, though he'd make more if he goes to another team.