NHL Free Agency: Potential Surprise Suitors for a Few Big Name Free Agents

Until Shea Weber re-signs with the Nashville Predators or until Zach Parise re-signs with the New Jersey Devils, they will continue to be targeted for potential trades.

If Parise and other UFAs hit July 1 without an extension next year, there will be plenty of teams vying for their services.

Some of these teams will surprise us, though. 

Let's take a look at what teams might be interested in a few of next summer's biggest names. 

Alexander Semin

Many believe that the Washington Capitals will trade Alexander Semin, but people have thought that each time his contract has neared its end over the past few years.

It's true that Semin's consistency has yet to improve, but it will still be difficult for the Capitals to decide they have finally given up on him. 

Despite his inconsistencies, plenty of teams will still be interested in him, as the potential to improve their offense.

One team that might be interested if given the opportunity could be the Los Angeles Kings. 

They could use another winger and Semin might not garner as much as his current salary, if his consistency fails to improve and the Caps decide against re-signing him. 

Carey Price

Carey Price will only be a restricted free agent at the end of the year and it is highly unlikely that the Montreal Canadiens trade him or let him walk. 

However, let's pretend for a moment that he's available.

One team that might be interested could be the Columbus Blue Jackets, who are in desperate need of better goaltending.

Yes, they supposedly have their sights set on the Los Angeles Kings Jonathan Bernier or the Philadelphia Flyers Sergei Bobrovsky, but why target a young backup when they could target a young starter? 

Cory Schneider

Everyone can agree that Cory Schneider of the Vancouver Canucks deserves to be the starting goaltender somewhere.

It's probably not Vancouver, considering Roberto Luongo's deal.

Schneider is set to become a RFA next July, so he can't just sign anywhere he pleases, but perhaps the Canucks would trade him if they could get something good in return.

The Columbus Blue Jackets should be interested in Schneider as well and he might be a lot more attainable than their other options. 

Zach Parise

Zach Parise only signed a one year deal with the New Jersey Devils over the summer and will become an unrestricted free agent if not re-signed by July 1.

Since Parise is the captain of the team, it's even less likely that he will go anywhere.

One team that would love to have Parise (among every team in the NHL) is the Ottawa Senators. They could use scoring and high-level player like Parise.

Unfortunately for them, Parise won't be available and even if he was, there's no way he would choose to sign in Ottawa. 

Shea Weber

There is a very slim chance that Shea Weber won't re-sign long-term with the Nashville Predators. Even if he doesn't remain long-term, he'll still only be a RFA next summer, so he'll remain for another season after this at least.

If Weber were available (with a hefty price tag, of course), many teams would jump at the opportunity.

One of those teams should be the Montreal Canadiens.

The Canadiens need defenseman and they could use a big, physical player like Weber.