NHL Free Agents: 20 Stars Who Could Be on the Market This Summer

Although it may seem a bit too early for predictions for next offseason, that doesn't change the fact that there are several big name players who could be free agents on July 1st, 2012. 

Some of the players who are slated to be free agents will undoubtedly be signed or traded throughout the season while others will be allowed to sail into free agent waters. 

Whatever the case, it is definitely going to be an interesting offseason with the amount of talent currently unsigned. 

Zach Parise

Zach Parise could very well be the gem of the free agency class if he decides to test the waters. If New Jersey goes south this season, the one-year extension he signed this summer allows him the flexibility to pick any team in the league come July.

He's 27, and looking over his career contracts, he hasn't hit near the amount of money that a player of his caliber deserves. Unless New Jersey dishes out some serious cash, Parise could be moving on. 

James Neal

A restricted free agent, James Neal and the Penguins could be entering some contract disputes, especially if he continues scoring goals like has has been so far.

With nine goals in 13 games, Neal could demand some serious cash as he is one of the only legitimate wingers the Penguins boast.

Cory Schneider

The Canucks already have $5.3 million a year locked up on their star goaltender Roberto Luongo for the next...well, let's just call it awhile.

How much more do the Canucks plan on spending on just protecting the pipes? Schneider has the ability to probably command $2.5 million to $3 million on the open market, the average salary for a backup and starter 'tweener. 

Pekka Rinne

Let's start off the big three in Nashville with Pekka Rinne.

Rinne is a game-changing goaltender, something that only graces a franchise once in a blue moon. Can they really afford to let him walk? 

The simple answer is no, they can't. The complicated answer is that there are two other big names who are going to demand big contracts at the exact same time. Nashville may either have to do some fancy managerial footwork or else they may not be able to keep all three vital pieces.

Ryan Suter

Ryan Suter is currently in the last year of a $3.5 million a year contract with the Nashville Predators. 

Suter is often overlooked because he doesn't possess the big-time shot or the offensive prowess that his linemate Shea Weber does. However, Suter still has recorded 37 or more points in each of his last three seasons and is seen as one of the main reasons why Weber is a perennial Norris Trophy candidate.

Without Suter, Weber simply wouldn't be as good. 

So, can they keep him? Certainly not at his current contract, therefore he may be hitting the open market.

Shea Weber

If all else fails and Nashville has completely run themselves aground with money spending, Shea Weber may be the big name defenseman on the market during next offseason. 

Weber has the ability to alter a team's blue line and to command them to the playoffs. Without him, Nashville simply wouldn't be the same. 

His one-year extension is cause for concern and much like Parise, he could be trying to head for open waters. 

Shane Doan

Shane Doan is the perfect captain. He's productive on and off the ice, charismatic and chock full of leadership qualities. But at 35, Doan may be looking for a way out of Phoenix and a way onto a potential Stanley Cup winning team. 

It has never been about the money with Doan so keeping him should be Phoenix's top priority this offseason. 

John-Michael Liles

In a surprise move, the Colorado Avalanche sent over one of their most productive defensemen in John-Michael Liles for a draft pick. 

Now, after contributing seven assists in 11 games for Toronto, he could be hitting the open market, demanding pretty significant money from a team looking for an offensive defenseman. 

Mike Green

Mike Green has been a very effective offensive defenseman for the Washington Capitals for the past couple of seasons. He has fallen out of favor lately as his production has steeply declined and he is often injured.

As a restricted free agent, Mike Green could still be bargained for during free agency if the Capitals haven't either re-signed or moved him.

Alex Semin

Alex Semin is constantly on the trading block (or at least fans think so) for the Washington Capitals. A fantastic goal scorer and overall finesse player, Semin has the ability to be a first-line winger on almost any team in the NHL.

He would be one of the first names sought after if he doesn't re-sign in Washington before July 1st. Personally, I think he will stay to the tune of $6.25 million over three years. 

Ryan Smyth

At 35, don't expect Ryan Smyth to be asking for $6.25 million contracts when/if he becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.

However, Smyth has been integral in the Edmonton Oilers' success early on this season, posting 10 points in 11 games. My best guess is that if he isn't signed to a two-year contract by the trade deadline, Edmonton may be letting him walk. 

Al Montoya

With the whole slew of problems that Rick DiPietro seems to cause in net, it seems ridiculous that New York would let backup Al Montoya leave Long Island.

Stranger things have happened however and Montoya could find himself as one of the most sought after backups in the offseason.

Brad Stuart

The Detroit Red Wings will most likely be losing one of the most influential defenseman of all time in Nicklas Lidstrom after this season. 

The pressure is on to sign their second best defenseman, Brad Stuart, to a contract before July 1st. The huge contract extension given to Nicklas Kronwall does bode well for Stuart's bargaining chances, however. 

Tuukka Rask

Tuukka Rask, like Al Montoya, could be snatched up by several teams around the NHL looking for a solid backup who could develop into a starter.

With Vezina winner Tim Thomas only getting older, it would be ill-advised of Boston not to lock up Rask. 

Mikael Samuelsson

Mikael Samuelsson was recently traded to Florida in an exchange that brought David Booth to Vancouver. Considering Florida goes through players faster than any team in the league, it is a safe bet that Florida will let Samuelsson walk. 

Samuelsson is a skilled skater and put up 50 points for the Canucks last season. 

Ales Hemsky

Ales Hemsky has always been known for two things: his skill with the puck and his uncanny knack for getting injured. So far this season Hemsky has only played in two contests for the surging Oilers. 

If he can remain healthy for the remainder of the season and post his usual numbers, Hemsky could probably command another $4 million from most teams in the league. That is to say, if the Oilers don't re-sign him first.

Andrew Brunette

Andrew Brunette is durable and has missed only three games in the past eight seasons. He is also an effective offensive weapon, posting 46 points last season and 61 points two seasons ago. 

But at 38 Brunette could be looking for his last contract. Whether or not that contract will be with the Blackhawks remains to be seen. 

Mikhail Grabovski

Mikhail Grabovski will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.

He generated 58 points last season and is definitely worth more than his current $2.9 million price tag. A lot of teams could use his talents for $4 million or under. 

Matt Carle

Matt Carle put up a whopping 39 assists last season as a skilled blue-line weapon. So far he has seven points in 11 games and appears to be picking up right where he left off last season.

If Philadelphia, who has been known for having some cap space issues in the past, decides to let him go, he should be one of the first defenders scooped up on July 1st.

Tomas Vokoun

Tomas Vokoun shocked the hockey world be signing a very low one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Washington Capitals during the offseason.

Obviously Vokoun is going to be looking for a pretty hefty raise from either the Capitals or another team looking for a proven number one goaltender. This could be his last NHL contract.