The NHL’s top RFA/UFAs heading into free agency

The regular season is over, but hockey still persists. The NHL Entry Draft is right around the corner and the start of free agency is beginning to make headlines.

With that being said, let’s take a look at this summer’s top free agents, both unrestricted and restricted, as well as their cap hit from last season (courtesy of CapGeek) and where they may be playing in 2011-12.

UFAs

Brad Richards – $7.8 million

Richards is the jewel of this year’s free agent class. He’s a star center who has scored 168 points over the past two seasons and won a Stanley Cup and a Conn Smythe Trophy earlier in his career. Richards missed 10 games late in the season with a concussion, but that won’t scare off his most fervent pursuers.

The Rangers, once believed to be heavily interested in Richards, found out they will be unable to buy-out Chris Drury’s contract, which could complicate their ability to add Richards.

Besides the Rangers, both the Leafs and Kings have the cap space to add Richards to their lineup.

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Ilya Bryzgalov – $4.25 million

The Flyers have already acquired the rights to Bryzgalov, but that doesn’t necessarily make his signing inevitable. Both the Penguins and Flyers acquired the rights to Dan Hamhuis last summer, yet he eventually signed in Vancouver.

Bryzgalov could be seeking as much as $6 million per season, which would likely prevent him from signing with Philly unless they can shed some salary.

If Bryzgalov does not sign with the Flyers, the Avalanche might be a potential destination as they have both the need and the cap space to make a deal probable.

James Wisniewski – $3.25 million

Wisniewski had a big breakout season in 2010-11 where he split time between the Islanders and the Canadiens organizations. The move didn’t affect his production as he tallied 51 points and added a solid, physical presence to Montreal’s blueline.

With Andrei Markov a UFA as well, it will be imperative that the Canadiens re-sign one of these defensemen.

If the Habs miss out on Wisniewski, the Wings may pounce since they have to fill the void made by the retirement of Brian Rafalski.

Christian Ehrhoff – $3.1 million

Ehrhoff is one of the most prized puck-moving defensemen heading to the market, and after scoring over 40 points in each of the last three seasons it’s easy to see why.

Any number of teams will call on the talented German to anchor their power play. If Tampa Bay fails to re-sign Eric Brewer or Carolina cannot come to terms with Joni Pitkanen, Ehrhoff could be a reasonable replacement.

Kevin Bieksa – $3.75 million

A source told ESPN that there is a plan in place to keep both Bieksa and Ehrhoff in Vancouver, but both would have to take home-town discounts to do so.

Bieksa emerged as the Canucks’ No. 1 defenseman in the playoffs and will be a top priority for Mike Gillis and his management team. It would be a massive surprise is Bieksa and the Canucks parted ways.

At the same time, if the Canadiens are unable to sign either Wisniewski or Andrei Markov, they will look west to either Ehrhoff or Bieksa to replace them – if either is available.

RFAs

Steven Stamkos – $3.725 million

After two straight 90-point seasons and the capability of scoring 50-goals, it is clear Stamkos is going to become a very rich man.

Fortunately for the Lightning, they have ample cap space to re-sign him. Even if another team presents Stamkos with an offer-sheet, the Lightning will undoubtedly match it.

Shea Weber – $4.5 million

Re-signing Weber might be the defining moment in the history of the Predators’ franchise.

He is currently an RFA, but will become a UFA after next season. So, if the Preds aren’t able to sign him to a long-term deal now, they will have both Ryan Suter and Weber hitting the open market next summer.

Nashville has filed for team-elected arbitration, which protects Weber from an offer sheet, but could award the hard-nosed Canadian blue-liner with a one-year deal if something long-term isn’t worked out before.

Drew Doughty – $3.475 million

After becoming the second youngest nominee for the Norris Trophy last season, the expectations were huge for Doughty heading into this season.

However, he had a slightly subpar year by his standards, seeing his point total drop by nearly 20.

Moving forward, Doughty is still considered a perennial Norris Trophy candidate and is primed for a mega-deal from the Kings.

Zach Parise – $3.125 million

After scoring 94 and 82 points the last two seasons, Parise missed all but 13 games in 2010-11 with a torn meniscus in his right knee.

The Devils have also filed for club-elected arbitration with Parise, meaning he will be protected from potential offer sheets if a deal is not reached by July 1.

This could be a risky venture as an arbitration deal will only be one year, at which time Parise becomes a UFA.

This raises a question: If the Devils aren’t able to lock Parise up long-term will they attempt to move him over the summer?

Luke Schenn – $2.975 million

After a sophomore slump last season, Schenn bounced back in 2010-11 and looks like a cornerstone defenseman for the rebuilding Leafs.

Signing Schenn is the most pressing in-house issue for the Leafs this summer and Schenn himself has stated that he believes everything with the Leafs will be settled amicably.

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