An early peek: The top 2012 unrestricted free agents

Defenseman Niklas Kronwall and Brad Stuart will be free agents next summer, but the Detroit Red Wings likely will get them re-signed beforehand.



By David Guralnick, AP

Although NHL teams haven't finished picking off the last few players from this year's unrestricted free agents, it's not to early to think about 2012 crop.

Here is my preliminary top 10 list for next summer.

1. Nashville defenseman Ryan Suter: If the Predators don't get him re-signed, he could be bigger in the marketplace than Brad Richards was this summer. There is a smoothness about his game that makes him very attractive.

2. New Jersey left wing Zach Parise: Here's a chance to land a 40-goal scorer in the prime of his career. Parise and Suter are friends. It would be a great way to beef up a franchise if a GM had the money to sign both.

3. Washington right wing Alexander Semin: His talent is enormous and his numbers are exceptional. He hasn't always had a harmonious existence in Washington. But that doesn't usually prevent teams from signing a free agent.

4. Detroit defenseman Niklas Kronwall: Since Nicklas Lidstrom will be retiring soon, it would be a fair presumption to expect that Detroit will get him re-signed. But for now, he remains on the list.

5. Columbus left wing R.J. Umberger: With the possibility of playing with Jeff Carter and Rick Nash, Umberger could have terrific numbers this season. Plus, he has basically averaged 25 goals all three seasons he has been in Columbus.

6. Edmonton right wing Ales Hemsky: He's essentially a point-per-game player, and he's 28. The pause will be his injury history.

7. Detroit defenseman Brad Stuart: This is a very solid, physical defenseman, well-liked by coaches and teammates. Again, it seems likely Detroit would get him re-signed.

8. Pittsburgh left wing Chris Kunitz: He's a 20-goal scorer with some bite to his game. I would think the Penguins will re-sign because they don't have a surplus of scoring on the wing.

9. Phoenix right wing Shane Doan: Given that the Coyotes captain has been with the franchise his entire career, it's hard to imagine that he won't get a deal done. But as of now, he's not re-signed.

10. Toronto center Mikhail Grabovski: He's coming off a 29-goal season. His position in the marketplace will be heavily dependent upon what he does this season. Several teams are looking for scoring, and he's only 27.

Special mention — Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne: I don't like to put goalies on my top 10 because the goalie market is volatile. Rinne probably would be wise to sign long-term with the Predators if only because it's difficult to guess how many teams will be looking for a goalie or are willing to pay for one. Rinne is a very talented difference-maker. He could be next summer's Ilya Bryzgalov or he could find that no team is willing to spend big money on a goalie.