MyNHLtraderumors.com brings you it’s 2011 Top 25 NHL unrestricted free agents. In creating the list we didn’t just list rank on talent alone. We took into consideration: age, position, and likelihood of signing with a different team.
Take a look at the complete lists of 2011 Unrestricted Free Agents and 2011 Restricted Free Agents by Team.
| Rk. | Player |
’11-’12 Team
|
Pos.
|
’11-’12 Cap Hit
|
Notes |
| 1 | Zach Parise |
NJ
|
LW
|
$6,000,000
|
|
| 2 | Ryan Suter |
NAS
|
D
|
$3,500,000
|
|
| 3 | Alexander Semin |
WAS
|
LW
|
$6,700,000
|
|
| 4 | Justin Schultz |
ANA
|
D
|
-
|
Signed with the Oiles. 2 years, $7.55 million |
| 5 | Matt Carle |
PHI
|
D
|
$3,438,000
|
|
| 6 | Jiri Hudler |
DET
|
C
|
$2,875,000
|
|
| 7 | Shane Doan |
PHO
|
RW
|
$4,550,000
|
|
| 8 | P.A. Parenteau |
NYI
|
RW
|
$1,250,000
|
|
| 9 | Jason Garrison |
FLA
|
D
|
$675,000
|
|
| 10 | Martin Brodeur |
NJ
|
G
|
$5,200,000
|
|
| 11 | Ray Whitney |
PHO
|
LW
|
$3,000,000
|
|
| 12 | Paul Gaustad |
NAS
|
C
|
$2,300,000
|
Re-signed with the Predators. 4 years, $13 million |
| 13 | Brandon Prust |
NYR
|
$800,000
|
||
| 14 | Olli Jokinen |
CAL
|
C
|
$3,000,000
|
|
| 15 | Andrei Kostitsyn |
NASH
|
LW
|
$3,250,000
|
|
| 16 | Jaromir Jagr |
PHI
|
RW
|
$3,300,000
|
|
| 17 | Dustin Penner |
LA
|
LW
|
$4,250,000
|
|
| 18 | Filip Kuba |
OTT
|
D
|
$3,700,000
|
|
| 19 | Pavel Kubina |
PHI
|
D
|
$3,850,000
|
|
| 20 | Ryan Smyth |
EDM
|
LW
|
$6,250,000
|
|
| 21 | Bryce Salvador |
NJ
|
D
|
$2,900,000
|
|
| 22 | Bryan Allen |
CAR
|
D
|
$2,900,000
|
|
| 23 | Carlo Colaiacovo |
STL
|
D
|
$2,125,000
|
|
| 24 | Guillaume Latendresse |
MIN
|
LW
|
$2,500,000
|
|
| 25 | Sheldon Souray |
DAL
|
D
|
$1,650,000
|
#1 by Anon at April 19th, 2011
Milan Hejduk has been on record stating he won’t play anywhere but in Colorado. Fleischmann is a C/LW.
#2 by Joseph at April 20th, 2011
Good list, but I have to think that Erik Cole’s got to be on there somewhere… He had a pretty great year this year, looks like his speed’s back.
#3 by Mark Easson at April 20th, 2011
You’re right about Cole, but I only think he’ll sign with Carolina.
Anon … You are likely right about Hejduk. I wasn’t going to include him on the list because of that, but decided to b/c I’m unsure what the Avs will be thinking. Will $$$ play a part?
#4 by Anon at April 20th, 2011
Not at all, if Hejduk wants back he will comeback, he’s stated already that he is receptive to a new contract and he doesn’t want to play anywhere else.
#5 by Mark Easson at April 20th, 2011
He’s stated that, but I haven’t read anything from the team.
I think in the end he’ll re-sign with them, and I hope he does.
But the direction the Avs are headed in, I’m unsure about … I’m still wondering about the Stewart trade.
#6 by Jeff at April 20th, 2011
What a BRUTAL List~!
#7 by Alex Ovechkin at April 20th, 2011
What was my boy Semin thinking?
In this market, he would have recv’d a $80mm contract. What a dope!
#8 by Joe at April 20th, 2011
Let me get this straight, Brooks Laich is almost 28 yrs old, never scored 60 points, despite playing on the top offensive team in the league…and he is the 4th best Free Agent?!
Wow, what a sad Free Agent year again this season.
#9 by Mark Easson at April 21st, 2011
Laich could easily be ranked lower, below the next group of defenseman.
But due to really weak forward group and stronger defensive group, his value increases IMO.
#10 by Connor at April 22nd, 2011
do you think the blackhawks can sign any of these guys (not including Kopecky) due to their salary cap problems?
#11 by Jeff at April 23rd, 2011
But who from this list do they need? They are all D-Men, and Chicago doesnt need D-Men really.
I think Chicago is relegated to strong development for the next ten years, trying to put the right players around their top two young stars.
And a real bounce back season from Hossa would help too.
#12 by Mike at May 11th, 2011
I think Laich will end up back with the Caps. He is a leader out there and is the only guy on that team who will man up in the playoffs. The guy is all heart and no quit. Strip the C off of Ovie and give it to him. A team like Montreal could use him, with his size grit, and hustle. He would be a perfect fit. hejduk has signed with the Avs for a decent amount of cash. Anyway the list can be updated? Brewer stays in Tampa after his playoff performance and I will believe Roloson will be back for one more year if they don’t win. Kaberle goes back to the Leafs for a pittance. Vokoun will most likely end up in Russia I believe and Richards either stays in Dallas or will be given Crosby type money from the Blue Jackets. Markov leaves Montreal because they are scared of the risks and he won’t lower his price and Joni Pitkanen back to the Flyers to help solidify an aging Defense with the money off of Zherdev’s contract. Bieksa stays with the Canucks and Ehrhoff gets a big payday to go to Columbus as well to solidify and be the number one Dman with them that they have been looking for. Handzus to Russia and Bryzgalov to Russia because he over values what he brings to the table and no body wants to pay him/ can’t afford him. Have a good day folks.
#13 by Jared at May 20th, 2011
Mike that is ridiculous, You should go to Russia
#14 by harry at May 23rd, 2011
sounds like mike is a blue jackets fan
#15 by harry at May 23rd, 2011
and jared that was funny
#16 by harry at May 23rd, 2011
Detroit will get shea weber because nashville cant afford him but i believe he’ll sign a 1 year contract then become a UFA in 2012. Then Detroit will go nuts maybe Detroit will sign 1 or 2 free agents this year 1 defencemen 1 forward GO DETROIT GO AND WINNIPEG WILL GET A TEAM WOOOOOO!!!!!!
#17 by Jeff at May 24th, 2011
Harry,
Weber has already said publicly that he will resign with Nashville and that they are close on a deal.
So something significant would have to change there, for him not to be signed long-term.
And be careful what you wish for, im guessing Calgary is having second thoughts about its huge contract with Jay-Bo. I think Weber is better, but Jay-Bo was considered that good just 2 years ago.
#18 by Jeff at May 24th, 2011
Mike,
I think you are certainly wrong with The Blue Jackets and with Kaberle, but your other points have merit.
Also, Harry is talking about the Red Wings. Now that Rafalski is retiring, wouldnt Andre Markov be a nice fit in Detroit? Someone who wouldnt require a long-term deal.
#19 by Jeff at May 24th, 2011
I think the Winnipeg Jets ought to make a big splash — Mark, how much cap space do they have?
#20 by Leslie at May 24th, 2011
Being a CBJ fan this is what Howsen has said.” If Richards is willing to come to CBJ the resources are available to make that happen”. Richards has said in the past that he would like to play with Nash. That doesn’t mean I’m confident that will happen but any straws I can grasp at.
As for the D-man the Dispatch (part owner of the CBJ) has said that enough money will be there so that the only reason we won’t get a d-man from free agency is if none will play here at any price.
#21 by Mark Easson at May 24th, 2011
Winnipeg/Atlanta have 17 guys under contract at about $37.5 million. RFA’s Bogosian, Ladd, Wheeler are their major RFAs.
I don’t see Richards or any big named Dmen going to CBJ (unless they extremely overpay a defenseman). They might get lucky with Kaberle if nobody wants to give him 5+ years and $5+ million.
With Rafalski retiring, the Wings will likely grab one of the top dmen now.
The Leafs won’t want Kaberle back.
#22 by Jeff at May 24th, 2011
I would love to see CBJ grab a player like that.
I just cant see Richard in Columbus, when he has NYC and TOR calling him.
#23 by Gary at June 4th, 2011
There’s noo way that Richards goes to Columbus In fact he has Stated that he would love to be back to Tampa Bay and I believe Steve Yzerman will make It Happen would be nice! And your dreaming If Erhoff will land In Columbus he’s not going to go from a Stanley Cup winning team to a lousy team for and kind of money will not happen you can tell he’s a columbus fan and pipe dreaming!!
#24 by Jeff at June 4th, 2011
Jackets should be moved to Quebec City.
#25 by Miller at June 4th, 2011
I’m hoping Winnipeg can lock up Richards and Gagne. In spite of how many season tickets were sold, the Jets will just be the Thrashers. They’re going to need some big name players to grab an audience.
#26 by Gary at June 6th, 2011
Wont happen Richards Is on the record saying he will not go to a rebuilding organization most likely he Is looking for a contrat In 9-10 year deal worth about 8-9 million per season there Is no way Winnipeg can afford that at this moment In there move Gagne could maybe be a fit but I dont think he would even go there and the Rangers dont have the cap space for what he will want and theres no way he goes to the Leafs and I would love to see Richards back In Tampa seeing that we had drafted him In the first place Go get him Steve Yzerman!!
#27 by Josh at June 6th, 2011
Zach Parise can’t crack the top 25?
#28 by Mark Easson at June 6th, 2011
Parise is a RFA, list is UFAs
#29 by Freddy at June 6th, 2011
Parise is not a FA, but big time trade chip.
#30 by David at June 13th, 2011
I think yinz all are overlooking salary cap. Detroit will be lucky to land a big time D with their cap issues. I can see Richards’ going back to Tampa, but I would not rule out Columbus either. As for him asking 9-10 years @8-9 mill . . .are you CRAZY? He’s 31. He has set his own price high, but even the Rangers(who had interest) backed away at his terms. A smart team wouldn’t go past 4-5 years @somewhere around 8 mill. And, that may be over paying.
#31 by Fan at June 16th, 2011
with recci retiring and bostons victory who shpuld the bruins sign.
#32 by harry at June 18th, 2011
jeff i like you now
#33 by Jeff at June 28th, 2011
I like Konopka better than a bunch of guys on that list.
#34 by Jeff at June 28th, 2011
I wonder which will add:
Wisniewki/Kabarle/Pitkanen
To the overpaid/over-rated list of NHL D-Men. Too many teams need D, and those guys are going to get paid.
I think Ehroff is in the driving seat. He should look at Detroit.
#35 by Mitch at June 29th, 2011
Connolly on the list at 11? He should be 110! Guess maybe there is someone out there that wants a guy who might need a 10-15 goal scorer who plays with no heart.
His concussions a few years back should have ended his career (for all practical purposes it did).
#36 by tiffany at June 30th, 2011
Ehroff is coming to buffalo along with richards
#37 by scott at June 30th, 2011
David- What cap issues for Detroit are you referring to? They are 16.3 million under the cap. Plenty to go after a top FA forward and defenseman.
#38 by B-Sabs at July 1st, 2011
Richards won’t be offered a contract from Buffalo. They decided on Leino instead. In my opinion, it’s a great decision at half the price. Mind you, he might not score as many points as Richards, but the team is already over the cap.
#39 by josh at July 3rd, 2011
winnipeg needs a top 6 center will they get arnott ? if not whos most likely to get picked up ? and is selanne consdidering goin back to winnipeg ?
#40 by josh at July 3rd, 2011
top 6 forward , most likely a center *
#41 by Bryan at July 12th, 2011
There’s no doubt the Richards is on the top of the list. He’s one of the best players these days. I can see a very big gap in amount between Richards and Ehrhoff.
#42 by David at July 13th, 2011
Biggest winner in free agency . . . LA, they were only a couple players away from a true cup contender . . . now they look complete. Also, looks like Columbus will finally have some help for Rick Nash . . . his talents have been sorely wasted in Columbus so far. On a final note; GO PENS!