NHL Free Agency 2011: Drew Doughty & 7 RFAs Who Could Be Playing Elsewhere

The NHL Free Agency period is over, for the most part. Most of the big names available this offseason have been signed and are ready for the 2011-2012 season to begin. However, there is still a star-studded roster of Restricted Free Agents looking for a new deal. 

Depending on their asking price and what other teams are willing to give up in order to acquire their rights, all of the players on this list might be playing elsewhere next season. It's highly unlikely, but the possibility remains. 

Without further ado, let's take a look at the top RFAs still on the market and which teams could potentially be interested in their services. 

#7: Max Pacioretty, Montreal Canadiens

The Canadiens' Max Pacioretty is a big winger with quite a bit of scoring upside. In just 37 NHL games during the 2010-2011 season, Pacioretty recorded 24 points (14G, 10A) and a minus-1.

Pacioretty's season came to an abrupt end due to a suspension-worthy hit from Bruins' captain Zdeno Chara that resulted in a serious concussion and fractured vertebrae. 

Despite his obvious health concerns, Pacioretty could be a solid addition to many NHL teams. He has a nice combination of size (6'3") and skating ability, a nose for the net, and very good offensive playmaking skills. Pacioretty owns a very good shot to go along with above-average passing ability.

In order for Pacioretty to become a top-6 winger, he must improve his on-ice awareness and his defensive play. At just 22 years of age, he is still very young and has plenty of time to correct those shortcomings and develop into a very good NHL player.

In the meantime, I wish him the best in his recovery and hope to see him on the ice for an NHL team soon. 

#6: Josh Bailey, New York Islanders

The Islanders' Josh Bailey has quietly developed into a solid all-around player over the past three seasons, recording an average of 30 points per season. He plays a very good two-way game, boasts a nice combination of size and speed, and has a supremely high hockey IQ. 

While Bailey does have a bit of a goal scorer's touch, he tends to rely on his exceptionally good passing skills rather than his shot, even when he has established position in a prime scoring area.

Bailey also tends to struggle against bigger, stronger centers. He must fill out his 6'1" frame and improve his aggressiveness with the puck in order to make good on his potential.

The fact that a player with as much talent and upside as Bailey is still unsigned is mind-boggling to me. While he was in a bit of a slump following an injury down the stretch, he remains a tremendous two-way talent. If the Islanders don't sign him, someone else should. 

#5: Victor Oreskovich, Vancouver Canucks

The Canucks' Victor Oreskovich isn't a major offensive talent or a budding NHL star. He's a big-bodied winger with decent scoring upside and solid two-way ability. He's a massive player who loves to play in the dirty areas of the ice and cause chaos in front of the net.

Oreskovich, if he hits his ceiling, will likely be a second-line player for most NHL teams, and a third-liner for others. He'll probably top out at 20-25 goals on the season, with maybe 50 points. He's not going to light up stat sheets or inspire fear in coaches.

However, Oreskovich does provide a much-needed service to quite a few NHL teams: a pure power forward. 

After the physical beating the Canucks took at the hands of the Bruins, I'm surprised Oreskovich wasn't the first player they re-signed. He is a tough, gritty power player who relishes the opportunity to bang in the corners.

He's a Scott Hartnell-type player with more size and strength...and slightly less scoring upside. 

#4: Luke Schenn, Toronto Maple Leafs

Luke Schenn is a big, edgy, shut-down defender. He doesn't have the refined offensive game of a player like the Kings' Drew Doughty, but he does have the rare ability to log big minutes and consistently shut down big weapons for the opposing team. 

On the defensive end, Schenn is the complete package. He has the size (6'3", 220) and strength to out-muscle power forwards in the corners, the speed and skating ability to stay with some of the fastest players in the NHL, and the savvy and smarts to out-maneuver some of the craftiest scorers in the league. As a GM, there is nothing more you could ask for in a shut-down blueliner. 

Beyond Schenn's obvious defensive prowess, he is also a natural leader who understands how to motivate by both word and example. He's a blueline anchor, plain and simple. 

If the Maple Leafs don't resolve this issue in the near future, I wouldn't be surprised to see another NHL team make a run at Schenn.

The Flyers, after acquiring Luke's younger brother, Brayden Schenn, have to be thinking about what such an addition could mean for their franchise. And I'm sure they're not the only franchise thinking about making an offer for Luke Schenn. 

#3: Zach Bogosian, Winnipeg Jets

Zach Bogosian is among the most frustrating players to watch. His natural talent is undeniable. His work ethic is solid, if not spectacular. But his on-ice performance is underwhelming, to say the least. 

If you were to ask an NHL scout what they look for in a franchise defenseman, they'd probably tell you they look for a big, strong, smooth-skating player with a cannon for a shot and top-notch passing ability.

They'd probably add that they look for a player who owns a tremendous defensive acumen and hockey IQ to go along with the physical talents. They could just paraphrase and say they look for another Zach Bogosian. 

But for all of the talent Bogosian possesses, it hasn't shown thus far in his NHL career. He's a third or fourth defenseman on a non-playoff team. He's a minus-27 player who scored a whopping 17 points in 71 NHL games this past season. 

Despite his lackluster career thus far, Bogosian is only 21. He still has time to find his game, make good on his potential and blossom into the elite defenseman he has the potential to become.

Bogosian had expressed some discontent while playing in Atlanta, but its unlikely the Jets would part with him for less than a King's ransom. 

#2: Brad Marchand, Boston Bruins

The Bruins' Brad Marchand is the type of player every opposing fan loves to hate. Despite his small size (5'9" on a good day), Marchand manages to make quite a few big plays. He owns solid offensive instincts, an excellent defensive acumen and a ton of hustle, grit and heart. 

Marchand will likely never be an elite offensive threat. He likely won't be a Selke finalist. But he does have all of the intangibles necessary to take a good team to the next level.

He has a knack for performing in the clutch and a penchant for keeping opposing forwards off their game. He isn't flashy or explosive—he's just effective. 

The Bruins have extended a qualifying offer to Marchand, but little else. He figures to be a key piece of any attempt at back-to-back Stanley Cup Championships for the Bruins. If he is made available, expect quite a few NHL teams to be very interested in the Bruins' spark plug.  

#1: Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings

The Kings' Drew Doughty is already one of the premier defensemen in the NHL. He possesses phenomenal ability in all three zones, is one of the best passers in the league, and plays the game with the poise and composure of a veteran. 

Beyond his considerable offensive prowess, Doughty boasts outstanding shut-down defensive ability. He has the skating ability to stay with any forward in the NHL, the size to win puck battles in the corners, and the hockey sense and savvy to disrupt plays before they ever get started.

The only shortcoming in Doughty's game is his tendency to shy away from physical play despite his immense size and strength.  

With his all-world skill set, Doughty should be a perennial Norris Trophy finalist for the next decade or two. He's a player every team in the NHL would love to add to its roster. If the Kings don't figure out a way to get him under contract, another team will.

He's well worth every penny of the $7.5 million-plus he'll command in his next contract. 

The Other Guys

These three players didn't quite make the cut, but they are worth keeping an eye on. Each one has solid potential and needs a new contract. 

1. Luca Caputi, LW, Toronto Maple Leafs

2. Vladimir Zharkov, RW, New Jersey Devils

3. Oscar Moller, C, Los Angeles Kings