NHL Free Agents 2011: The Latest Buzz Surrounding Each NHL Team

NHL free agency activity is starting to slow down as nearly all of the top unrestricted free agents have signed new contracts, but there are still several veteran players to be signed.

Veteran players and "glue" guys who are essential to Stanley Cup winning teams are still out there, and many will not break the bank to sign.

Several teams still have important restricted free agents to sign, such as the Nashville Predators with Shea Weber, the Los Angeles Kings with Drew Doughty and the Toronto Maple Leafs and Luke Schenn.

Let's look at the latest free agent buzz and news surrounding your favorite NHL team, as training camp is soon approaching.

Nicholas Goss is a Boston Bruins featured columnist for Bleacher Report, and was the organization's on-site reporter for the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals in Boston. Follow him on Twitter for NHL news and analysis. Follow @NicholasGoss35

New Jersey Devils: Zach Parise Looking for Long Term Deal

The New Jersey Devils signed Zach Parise to a one year, $6 million contract last week, but the two sides are still working on a long term contract.

Parise is the Devils’ best forward and is the future of the team. Locking him up for many seasons should be the top priority for the Devils this summer.

If he gets to free agency, nearly half the league will want to sign him.

New York Rangers: Callahan and Dubinsky Re-Sign, Left Wing Still a Need

The New York Rangers signed a pair of important forwards to new contracts recently, as Ryan Callahan and Brandon Dubinsky made it clear they want to be part of the Blueshirts’ future.

But left wing is still a need for the Rangers, and with few talented wingers available in free agency, a trade for someone like Washington’s Alexander Semin may be a good idea.

Pittsburgh Penguins: Penguins Sign First-Round Pick

The Pittsburgh Penguins signed their first-round pick of the 2011 NHL draft, Joseph Morrow, to a three-year entry level contract, according to The Pittsburgh Tribune Review.

Morrow is a defenseman from the Western Hockey League and is not expected to finish the season with the Penguins and will likely use his first season to develop in the minors.

New York Islanders: Blake Comeau Signs

Blake Comeau, the New York Islanders’ second-round pick in 2004, has signed a contract and avoids arbitration.

The deal is worth $2.5 million over one season, according to The New York Post.

Philadelphia Flyers: Chris Drury a Good Choice for Flyers?

Chris Drury is a leader, is playoff tested and would be a good fit in Philadelphia.

Him and Flyers forward Danny Briere were teammates on some talented Buffalo Sabres teams of a few years back, and the two of them could find themselves teammates soon.

Drury will not cost a lot to sign, and he is a great character guy that will set a professional example for the young Flyers players to follow.

Boston Bruins: Brad Marchand Likely to Be Re-Signed This Month

The Boston Bruins will likely be completing their final offseason task this month, re-signing breakout star Brad Marchand.

Marchand scored 11 goals in the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs, a Bruins record for a rookie. Marchand will likely get a two-year deal worth about $2.5 million to $3.5 million per season.

He had 21 goals and 20 assists last season in his first full year in the NHL.

Montreal Canadiens: Mike Grier

Mike Grier was considering retirement this summer, but the 36-year-old will likely suit up for at least one more season.

He is good for about 15 points in a full season and will add size and veteran leadership to any team.

Buffalo Sabres: The Blueline Is Loaded With Talent

The Buffalo Sabres don’t need any more defenseman after signing former Vancouver Canuck Christian Ehrhoff via free agency and signing young blueliner Andrej Sekera to a four-year, $11 million deal, according to the Buffalo News.

The Sabres and Sekera avoided arbitration by completing a deal.

Sekera scored three goals and dished out 26 assists last season in 76 games.

Ottawa Senators: With Lots of Money to Spend, Sens Not Making Noise

The Ottawa Senators began free agency with about $20 million in salary cap space but have not spent much of it.

After signing Sergei Gonchar to a big contract last season, and with Jason Spezza making big money, the Senators seem unwilling to spend on a top free agent.

Picking up a veteran goalie is still a priority for Ottawa, and Ray Emery might be a good fit.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Will Luke Schenn Re-Sign Soon?

Toronto Maples Leafs defenseman Luke Schenn has yet to sign a new contract this summer, and should Leafs fans be concerned?

Probably not since Schenn’s agent’s employer also represents Drew Doughty, who is also a top free agent defenseman on the market and is probably a higher priority than Schenn right now.

Schenn led all NHL defenseman in hits last season and scored a career high 22 points.

A five-year contract totaling $20 million would be fair to Schenn, which is a deal comparable to the New York Rangers’ Marc Staal.

Tampa Bay Lightning: Steve Yzerman Needs Another Defenseman

Joni Pitkanen is a very good two-way defenseman who scored 35 points for the Carolina Hurricanes last season and would be a good fit in Tampa Bay.

Pitkanen, 27, may cost about $4 million a season, but the Lightning need another top-six defenseman to add to their tremendous offensive depth.

Washington Capitals: Should Mike Green or John Carlson Re-Sign This Summer?

Washington Capitals general manager George McPhee will have to sign young defensemen Mike Green and John Carlson next summer and left winger Alexander Semin.

Those are three very good players due for raises, and Carlson is deserving of a massive raise.

Carlson should be given a new contract this summer, but Green needs to prove he can be durable for another full season.

With Semin likely going to be traded, the Capitals should have enough money to sign Carlson and Green to new deals if they choose to.

Florida Panthers: A Veteran Goalie to South Florida?

The Florida Panthers could use a veteran goalie to either start or mentor a young prospect.

Former Anaheim Ducks veteran Ray Emery is still available, and he may be a good fit for the Panthers, who are trying to build a nice roster of young talent to return to the NHL Playoffs. 

Carolina Hurricanes: Should Joni Pitkanen Be Re-Signed?

Joni Pitkanen is a solid defenseman for the Carolina Hurricanes and gives them a two-way presence who can play well on the power play.

Pitkanen is only 27, and with Carolina building a nice roster of young talent led by Eric Staal, the Hurricanes should re-sign their defenseman.

He will command a decent payday, but it will be worth it for Carolina.

Winnipeg Jets: Nikolai Zherdev Goes to KHL, Jets Need a Winger

According to the Winnipeg Sun, former Philadelphia Flyers forward Nikolai Zherdev had interest in playing with the Winnipeg Jets for the 2011-12 season, but on Wednesday he signed a contract to play in the KHL next season, according to the Winnipeg Free Press.

The Jets now need another forward to add some offensive depth, with the wing positions needing some upgrades.

Chicago Blackhawks: Are Hawks Done After Patrick Sharp Re-Signing?

The Chicago Blackhawks have re-signed forward Patrick Sharp to a five year contract Wednesday, but the deal won’t begin until the 2012-13 season, according to ESPN Chicago.

The Sharp signing is a good one for Chicago, who also has young forwards Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and veteran Marian Hossa signed for the long term as well.

With those forwards signed long term and not much cap roop remaining left, it’s likely the Blackhawks are done making summer signings, but their roster is set up well for the next few seasons.

Columbus Blue Jackets: Scott Hannan a Good Fit?

Scott Hannan is still unsigned and would add a nice veteran presence to the Columbus Blue Jackets team.

Hannan is a pretty good and can provide leadership for the young Blue Jackets squad.

However, if Hannan wants to sign in the near future, he will have to cost less than the $4.5 million cap hit he did last season with the Colorado Avalanche and Washington Capitals.

Detroit Red Wings: Wings Likely Done With Free Agent Moves and Trades

The Detroit Red Wings have made some small free agent moves this summer but also signed veteran defenseman and captain Nicklas Lidstrom to a one-year deal.

Lidstrom won his seventh Norris Trophy last season as the NHL's best defenseman.

The Red Wings still have salary cap flexibility to make an in-season trade however.

Nashville Predators: Shea Weber Awarded $7.5 Million by Arbitrator

On Wednesday, an arbitrator awarded Nashville Predators defenseman and captain Shea Weber $7.5 million for the 2011-12 season, according to ESPN.

The Predators felt Weber was only worth $4.75 million while his agent thought $8.5 million, and it’s apparent the arbitrator felt the agent’s demands were fairer.

Have the Predators damaged their relationship with Weber by not giving him what he deserves? The man means everything to their defense and is the perfect defenseman to build a team around.

Weber will be a restricted free agent next season if he doesn’t sign a long-term deal before then.

St. Louis Blues: Notes on Recent Blues Free-Agent Signings

The St. Louis blues haven’t been too active in free agency, but there is no doubt that it will cause fans to go to fewer games, as Blues fans are some of the most loyal in the NHL and are among the leaders in attendance.

Here are some minor signings the Blues have made this offseason, according to USA Today.

Jason Arnott signed a one-year contract with the Blues and will probably be the third- or fourth-line center this season.

Right wingers Jonathan Cheechoo and Ryan Reaves both signed one-year, two-way contracts with the team.

Calgary Flames: Little Going on With Flames Regarding Free Agents

The Caglary Flames have made little noise in the unrestricted free-agent market this summer.

As always, the question is will they trade Jarome Iginla to a contender or maybe even Miikka Kiprusoff too.

They did however re-sign center Brendan Morrison to a one-year, $1.25 million deal.

Edmonton Oilers: Building a Playoff Worthy Roster the Goal

The Edmonton Oilers are trying to build a playoff contending team through the NHL draft, and that process has been helped by having the No. 1 overall pick the last two seasons.

The Oilers have signed Ben Eager, Cam Barker and Eric Belanger in free agency this summer.

Colorado Avalanche: Avs Signing Most of Their Own Guys

The Colorado Avalanche have also been pretty quiet in the unrestricted free-agent market and have opted to sign most of their own unrestricted and restricted free agents instead.

The Avalanche have re-signed restricted free agent forwards T.J. Galiardi and Kevin Porter and defenseman Ryan Wilson.

Minnesota Wild: Wild Have Signed New Deals With Most of Their RFAs

The Minnesota Wild acquired winger Dany Heatley from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for forward Martin Havlat this past spring but have been quiet in free agency.

They did re-sign some good young players who were restricted free agents, such as Justin Falk, Jarod Palmer, Jeff Penner and Casey Wellman, but center James Sheppard, who missed all of 2011 with an injury, remains unsigned.

Vancouver Canucks: Signed Some Key Players Back, Made Other Small Moves

The Vancouver Canucks re-signed defenseman Kevin Bieksa to a new contract this offseason but decided not to do the same for fellow unrestricted defenseman Christian Ehrhoff, who signed a big 10-year deal with the Buffalo Sabres.

They also re-signed winger Jannick Hansen to a three-year deal worth $1.25 million per season.

They still need more toughness on their top two lines, and the signing of UFA Marco Sturm won’t really help that. Getting a physical forward is still a top priority for the Canucks.

Anaheim Ducks: Ray Emery Still Unsigned, Likely Moving On

Veteran goalie Ray Emery is an unrestricted free agent and will most likely not return to the Anaheim Ducks next season.

Emery might get a tryout or invitation to training camp with the Blackhawks and may sign with them.

The Ducks will hope Jonas Hiller is healthy for the full 2012 season because when he is 100 percent he’s a fantastic goalie.

Dallas Stars: With Ownership Issues, Stars Likely Done in Free Agency

The ownership in Dallas is having its issues and is likely the reason the Stars have been quiet in free agency and let their star center Brad Richards leave pretty easily.

The Stars did sign defenseman Adam Pardy this summer and signed right winger Ray Sawada to a one-year, two-way contract.

Finding someone to replace Richards role in the offense is still a priority for Dallas, and they've started off well on that front by signing former Boston Bruins winger Michael Ryder to a two-year deal worth $3.5 million per season.

Phoenix Coyotes: Offensive Help Needed

Phoenix Coyotes general manager Don Maloney has several holes to fill in his Coyotes squad after losing some key free agents this summer, such as goalie Ilya Bryzgaolv to Philadelphia, and center Eric Belanger and defenseman Ed Jovanovski going to Edmonton and Florida respectively. 

The Coyotes need to find a replacement for Jovanoski but need offensive help too.

Maloney said the following in a USA Today:

"

"We're in the (free agent) hunt for someone who is a nice fit," he said. "But if that doesn't come our way, we'll have to step back and look to trade some assets for a frontline player. We'd still like to add another piece on a lower line as well."

"

San Jose Sharks: After Burns Extension and White Signing, Sharks Likely Done

After signing newly acquired defenseman Brent Burns to a five-year contract extension, the San Jose Sharks signed former New Jersey Devils defenseman Colin White to a one-year contract on Aug. 3.

White is a physical presence and will bring more veteran experience to the Sharks.

Los Angeles Kings: Drew Doughty Remains Unsigned

The Los Angeles Kings have yet to sign restricted free agent defenseman Drew Doughty, who many regard as one of the top defenseman in the NHL.

Doughty will likely sign this month, and his agents have been busy with other clients to this point.

Doughty is a franchise player and is a great defenseman to build a team around, and there is no doubt the Kings will get this deal done as quickly as possible.