July 1st has come and gone. The “Frenzy” part of the free agency period is a distant memory less than a week after its opening. As hockey fans, we have seen many players change teams. We have seen many players get huge contracts, some of which were surprising, some of which were not so surprising. However, with the dust settled, and almost all of the big money players signed, sealed and delivered, there is still plenty of quality left on the unrestricted free agent market. There are still players who will sign with teams and have a significant impact on their success next season. The big questions at this point are: When will the remaining players sign, how much will they be able to get at this point, and which teams will land the last few top notch free agents, or find that “diamond in the rough?”

Let’s take a quick look at the top 30 remaining unrestricted free agents.

Joe Sakic, Center, Colorado Avalanche
Things have been pretty quiet here. Sakic will most likely retire, or return to Colorado.

Mats Sundin, Center, Toronto Maple Leafs
I don’t know what has been more annoying, Forsberg’s “will he or won’t he” drama for most of last season, or Sundin trying to make up his mind about his next team this off-season.

Teemu Selanne, Right wing, Anaheim Ducks
Much like Sakic, Selanne will likely return to his own team or retire.

Pavol Demitra, Center / Wing, Minnesota Wild
If healthy, Demitra is an elite player who could be a great signing for someone at this point.

Peter Forsberg, Center, Colorado Avalanche
Expect Forsberg to retire at this point. However, counting on a clear cut answer from Forsberg about the future of his hockey career is probably a worse bet than expecting gas prices to go down.

Brendan Morrison, Center, Vancouver Canucks
Expect Morrison to sign very soon.

Todd Bertuzzi, Left Wing, Anaheim Ducks
Bertuzzi’s career has been on a consistent downward spiral since after the lockout.
It kind of makes you wonder if Earl is onto something with that whole Karma thing.
Signed with the Flames on 7/7/08

Jason Williams, Right Wing, Chicago Blackhawks
Williams could end up being a very solid signing for someone.

Ladislav Nagy, Left Wing, Los Angeles Kings
He’s been “all style and no substance” for a couple of seasons now. He could end up being a great signing though if he can get his act together.

Brendan Shanahan, Left Wing, New York Rangers
Shanahan can offer a lot in terms of leadership and experience, and he can still score goals as evidenced by the 23 that he netted last season.

Sergei Fedorov, Center, Washington Capitals
Even at this point, it would be surprising if he didn’t end up back in the nation’s capital with Alexander Ovechkin and company.

Marek Malik, Defenseman, New York Rangers
Solid, underrated defenseman could end up being a real bargain.

Bret Hedican, Defenseman, Carolina Hurricanes
Retirement appears likely, but Hedican can certainly still play.

Mark Recchi, Right Wing, Atlanta Thrashers
Doesn’t have much left in the tank, but could still help out a team’s power play.

Jason Smith, Defenseman, Philadelphia Flyers
Very good, tough as nails defenseman, although his body has taken a big time beating over the years and he hasn’t been healthy for two years now. If nothing else he can add a lot of leadership to a team.

Steve Montador, Defenseman, Florida Panthers
Only 28-years-old, right-handed shot, tough as nails, and did score eight goals last season. Montador would be a fine addition to anyone’s third pairing next season.

Bryan Berard, Defenseman, New York Islanders
Berard is an excellent skater and can QB a PP. Despite his shortcomings defensively, as well as permanent eye sight problems stemming from being struck inadvertently by Marian Hossa’s stick years ago, Berard should get a job somewhere.

Sergei Brylin, Center/Left Wing, New Jersey Devils
Coming off of a down year in New Jersey, Brylin is a very versatile forward who also had 16 and 15 goal seasons coming out of the lockout.

Chris Gratton, Center, Tampa Bay Lighting
Gratton’s career has been a major disappointment. However, at this point he has settled into a third/fourth line center role very nicely with his size, physical play, and face-off skills.

Michael Peca, Center, Columbus Blue Jackets
Nowhere near the player he once was, but he can still bring a lot of intangibles to the table.
Re-signed with the Blue Jackets on 7/7/08

Bryan Smolinski, Center/Left Wing, Montreal Canadiens
This versatile forward doesn’t appear to have much left in the tank, though he is certainly worth a shot on a one year deal at a small cap hit.

Teppo Numminen, Defenseman, Buffalo Sabres
Numminen was very good for Buffalo in the two seasons that they were eastern conference power houses, post lockout. He didn’t play at all last season however, and father time might finally be closing the door on this very underrated and possible future Hall-of-Famer.

Stu Barnes, Center, Dallas Stars
Very gritty, solid, versatile forward probably has a couple of years left in him.

Stephane Yelle, Center, Calgary Flames
Was once a very good third line center, probably just a fourth line center/face-off specialist at this point.

Geoff Sanderson, Left Wing, Edmonton Oilers
Sanderson is probably done, but he could be worth a shot at the league minimum for a team desperate for scoring depth.

Nolan Pratt, Defenseman, Buffalo Sabres
Solid veteran defender to play on the third pair or serve a team as its seventh defenseman.

Arron Asham, Right Wing, New Jersey Devils
Very good middleweight enforcer who can also pop in some goals here and there.
Signed with the Flyers on 7/7/08

Shawn Bates, Center, New York Islanders
Bates is a speedy hard-nosed forward who was once a very good third/fourth line in this league. However, injuries have limited him to just 50 games over the past two seasons combined.

Jeff Hamilton, Center/Wing, Carolina Hurricanes
It wasn’t that long ago (2006-07 season) that Hamilton had 19 goals and 40 points for the Chicago Blackhawks. He is also absolutely lights out in the shootout. Could be a decent specialist type player for someone.

Brad Isbister, Left Wing, Vancouver Canucks
Big physical player who never fulfilled his potential as a power forward in this league, but certainly is a solid fourth line winger.