NHL Free Agency 2012: 8 Teams with Money to Spend (and Who They'll Get)

The 2011-2012 free agency pool is deep, very deep. 

With bona fide superstars like Pekka Rinne, Zach Parise, Shea Weber and Alex Semin, this is the year that a team with cap space could make a giant leap foreword in the team rankings. 

There are many teams right now with the cap space to make that leap. 

Here is a list of the eight teams most likely to go after the superstars of 2011-2012 free agency. 

As always, I am very interested in hearing about others' perspectives on what I write about. I will always reply if you have a question for me. 

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New York Rangers

The Rangers only have just over $1 million in cap space, however they always seem to be in the mix when it comes to free agency. 

The Rangers have a history of scoring the biggest star in each year's free agency pool (i.e. Brad Richards and Marian Gaborik). 

The Rangers do not have the cap room to support another star, but I swear they do voodoo in that locker room. 

Who they'll get: Zach Parise, of course. The biggest fish out there, why not? Could you imagine Richards, Gaborik (if healthy) and Zach Parise on a line? That would be deadly. 

Winnipeg Jets

The Winnipeg Jets fans are in the "honeymoon" stage of the franchise. 

The team is brand new and with that comes the excitement of a new franchise, but what will happen when the fans realize they do not have a very good team?

General manager Kevin Chevaldayoff has about $11 million in cap space, so there is room for a big splash that can really excite the Winnipeg faithful.

Who they'll get: I don't expect Winnipeg to go after one of the available superstars, although that would be a treat for the fans. Shane Doan would be a great story too.  

Ottawa Senators

The Senators have done terribly in recent free agent memory. 

Sergei Gonchar and Alex Kovalev are their two most recent big-time free agent signings and both have been flops. 

This may make general manager Brian Murray hesitant to test the market this upcoming summer. 

However, Murray has around $11.5 million to spend if he does choose to make a splash.

Who they'll get: Alexander Semin, the Senators love overpriced, overrated Russians, why would that change now?  

Dallas Stars

See that picture? 

This is exactly what will happen to the Dallas Stars in 2012 free agency.

They will get trampled on.

Dallas has been struggling with ownership issues for the past season-and-a-half, and that has made them reluctant to sign anyone.

The Stars have the most cap space of any team in the National Hockey League, so if they did decide to make a move for someone, they will become a legitimate contender.

Who they'll get: Unless they can somehow find a new owner before July 1, 2012, I don't expect the Stars to pick up anyone. Unless maybe a lower-end scorer like Kris Versteeg.  

Carolina Hurricanes

The Carolina Hurricanes have a lot of the pieces in place to make a very strong franchise for many years to come. 

The problem is that they are missing a few pieces that will make them go from a team on the fringe of the playoffs to a team that can go deep in the post season. 

The Hurricanes also have room to move this summer, with almost $14.5 million to spend. 

Who they'll get: I would like to see the Hurricanes go after an offensive star to accompany Jeff Skinner and Eric Staal. Maybe someone like Ales Hemsky or James Neal.  

Nashville Predators

The Nashville Predators will be at a crossroads this offseason. 

With Pekka Rinne, Ryan Suter and Shea Weber all hitting free agency this summer, Nashville may find itself changing its ideology. 

Nashville has always been a team with a tight wallet, but could get it done with its work ethic on the ice. 

The Predators will have to decide if they want to keep that mentality, and possibly lose all three of their best players or open up the wallet and sign them. 

The good news is, with $12 million in available cap space, if they do decide to sign all three, they should have no problem doing so. 

Who they'll get: I do not anticipate the Predators signing all three of these guys, I think they will only be able to land two: Rinne and Weber. 

Colorado Avalanche

Colorado has a strong group of young talent including Matt Duchene, Ryan O'Reilly, Gabriel Landeskog and Semyon Varlamov. 

It is no secret that the Colorado Avalanche are not expected to make the postseason, so free agency may be the easiest way for them to make it back to the playoffs. 

The Avalanche are another team with ample cap room, the only problem is that the Avalanche owners seem to have taken a page out of the Predators playbook and don't like to spend.

Who they'll get: With all the young talent on the Avalanche squad, what Colorado needs is some guidance. Look for them to make a move at a veteran to lead the way. Maybe someone like Brad Stuart, or at a long shot, Shane Doan.  

Florida Panthers

Dale Tallon is the mastermind behind the Chicago Blackhawks. And now that he is the GM for the Florida Panthers, he seems dedicated to bring that success to southern Florida. 

This offseason, Tallon will have ample cap space to make a run at some of the best players available in the free agency pool. 

With upwards of $10 million in cap space, the Panthers should be able to land one or two big fish this upcoming summer. 

Who they'll get: Florida is always a tough sell, but if Tallon has his way, the biggest catch of them all could join the cats. By that, I mean Zach Parise. Parise has the leadership of Jonathan Toews and the goal scoring capability of Patrick Kane. He would fit right into Tallon's copycat project.