NHL Free Agents 2011: 7 Restricted Free Agents Who Could Sign Blockbuster Deals

With Steven Stamkos signing a lucrative five-year deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning, hockey fans across the country anticipate what will happen with these other restricted free agents.

Will we see a rare occasion where one of these players bolts to another team?

Will we see a huge 10-year contract? 

Here are seven restricted free agents still on the board that still haven't been signed and will surely break the bank soon. 

Shea Weber

The Predators would love to keep the hard-shooting defenseman in the Music City, but don't be surprised if a team gives him an irresistible offer sheet.

Shea Weber is a one-of-a-kind defenseman, and with Nashville being a small-market team, they may find it difficult to sign Weber to a long-term contract, leaving room for another team to swoop in and get him. 

Drew Doughty

This King is the king of blue line in Los Angeles.

He's going to be a Norris Trophy candidate almost every year, and he's just waiting for the big contract to come in.

The Kings have improved offensively this summer with the additions of Simon Gagne and Mike Richards. Locking Doughty will make them an instant Stanley Cup contender.

Expect him to stay in Los Angeles with a long-term deal that may eclipse 10 years.

As we approach a new CBA next season, players will be looking to sign these lucrative contracts that are ridiculously long because it's expected that there will be a limit of how many years a player can sign with a team.

This is due to cap circumvention problems and the Ilya Kovalchuk controversy last summer. 

Zach Bogosian

The Armenian Hammer has been everything the Atlanta Thrashers wanted.

Now, it will be interesting to see if he will take his talents to Winnipeg or sign another offer sheet from another team.

There is no doubt that he will be loved in Winnipeg, but the question is if he wants to play there. It'll be interesting to see if he signs a long-term deal with the Jets.

Most likely he will sign with the Jets, but for a short deal that will allow him to pursue bigger dollars in a bigger market in a few years. 

Ryan Callahan

The former fourth-round draft pick has been a pleasant surprise for the Rangers.

He scored 23 goals and 48 points last season and is looking to make some bank now.

He probably won't sign for a huge Stamkos-like deal, but he'll be looking for a nice little deal where he can showcase his talents to the rest of the league so that when he's an unrestricted free agent he can be a high-paid player. 

Zach Parise

This is an interesting situation.

Parise was hurt last year, and the Devils plummeted and missed the playoffs for the first time in a long time.

Will Parise re-sign with the Devils or sign an offer sheet from another club? 

Most likely he will stay with the Devils. He knows that last year was an aberration for the team.

The team is still stacked with talent on both fronts, and he is aware that he can win a Stanley Cup with this team. 

Luke Schenn

Luke Schenn was a minus-seven last year and scored only 22 points.

He hasn't played like a fifth-overall pick at all. It'll be wise for the Leafs not to overpay him.

If another team is willing to overpay him with an offer sheet, let Schenn walk away. 

Brandon Dubinsky

Along with Ryan Callahan, Brandon Dubinsky has been impressive in the last few years.

Both he and Callahan will most likely stay with the Rangers and provide a dynamic duo that will help the Rangers try to bring a Cup back to Broadway.