Top 50 Free Agents (Part 1)

1. Ilya Kovalchuk LW

Age: 26 Experience: 8 seasons  2009-10 Team: Thrashers/Devils

Ilya Kovalchuk is best known for his scoring capabilities. Known as one of the best left wingers in the game, this Russian sniper will challenge for a high figure contract and has often been reported to be seeking a decade contract. Coming off his sixth straight 40 goal campaign, many teams will certainly be interested and at just 26 years of age, a few would consider the risk of that ten year deal.

2. Patrick Marleau C

Age: 30 Experience: 12 seasons  2009-10 Team: Sharks

The top center free agent this season, Patrick Marleau is coming off a career high 44 goal campaign. He has nine short handed goals over the last two years and knows his way around both ends of the ice. A strong leader, despite being stripped of captaincy in San Jose. At 30 years of age, are teams willing to ink the 5 to 7 year contract with the veteran, or will be try and remain in San Jose to keep the Heatley/Thornton/Marleau line alive?

3. Anton Volchenkov D

Age: 28 Experience: 7 seasons 2009-10 Team: Senators

While many still consider Volchenkov to be a younger player in the league, he has certainly matured into one of the best defensive defensemen in the league. His shot blocking abilities are second to none. Considering the importance of a defensive corner stone in the post-season (Gill, Gorges, Coburn) teams will be lining up to ink him long-term for figures north of $4M per season.

4. Dan Hamhuis D

Age: 27 Experience: 6 seasons 2009-10 Team: Predators

In his six seasons with the Nashville Predators, Dan Hamhuis has quietly become an all-around defenseman. With all-star notables Shea Weber and Ryan Suter leaving Hamhuis in the shadows, he has only missed nine games in his career. At 6'0" 208 pounds, he lacks size but has the stature to battle in the corners. He is perhaps the most underrated free agent on the market.

5. Tomas Plekanec C

Age: 27 Experience: 6 seasons  2009-10 Team: Canadiens

Setting a career high 70 points, Tomas Plekanec is an even strength production machine. With nearly a fifty percent win percentage on the faceoffs, this center ranked 15th among centermen in the league in even strength points. At just 27 years of age, he enjoys gunning for the net with speed despite his smallish 5'10" frame. Plekanec should command over $5M on the open market.

6. Paul Martin D

Age: 29 Experience: 6 seasons  2009-10 Team: Devils

Martin battled injuries all season and missed 60 games as well as the Olympics due to a broken arm. In his 22 appearances, he tallied eleven points and was clearly a top pairing alongside Andy Greene. While he doesn't possess a large frame, he is a strong 6'1" 200lbs defender who is used to logging up the minutes on the back end. For a team looking for leadership on the D, he is their target for the summer.

7. Evgeni Nabokov G

Age: 34 Experience: 10 seasons  2009-10 Team: Sharks

There are not too many free agent goaltenders worth while looking at this summer, but Nabokov is certainly a headliner in a weak class. While he is not known for dominating the post-season - which can be credited to a total team shut down in San Jose's post-season history - Nabokov has proven to be one of the top goaltenders in the NHL year in and year out. A team looking to solidify their position in net should not hesitate to throw money at him, but in his mid 30s, for how much longer can he keep up his pace?

8. Sergei Gonchar D

Age: 36 Experience: 15 seasons 2009-10 Team: Penguins

Sergei Gonchar has reached the Stanley Cup Finals three times in his career, winning it once and proving to be a quarterback for any team's powerplay in the process. His defensive coverage, however, is weak to say the least. But that isn't why you'd bring him on board. He is a difference maker, but with just 87 games under his belt over the last two seasons, his health will be a significant question.

9. Ray Whitney LW

Age: 38 Experience: 18 seasons  2009-10 Team: Hurricanes

A consistent 20 goal man when healthy, Ray Whitney has not slowed in his age. The 15 year veteran was reported to be seeking a 3 year contract extension at the trade deadline, but at 38 years of age teams may not be looking to acquire him for more than a pair. His age suggests he is coming down in his career, but his point totals and consistent progress could allow him to demand more than a small retirement contract.

10. Lee Stempniak RW

Age: 27 Experience: 5 seasons 2009-10 Team: Maple Leafs/Coyotes

A rising star in St. Louis, a devalued disappointment in Toronto and a gifted sniper in Phoenix, Lee Stempniak has confused the masses. He posted 14 goals in his final 18 games on the season, but could not transfer the same play to the post-season finishing with just two assists in seven playoff appearances. That said, he does have two high 20 goal seasons on his resume in a average class of free agents. At 27 years of age, he certainly seems attractive for more teams looking for a bit of a bargain in a second line scorer.