Ted Kulfan's top NHL free agents

FORWARDS

Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay. Age on July 1: 26. Statistics: 77 games, 36 goals, 28 assists. ANALYSIS: There rarely has been an elite goal-scorer in his mid-20s available on the unrestricted free agent market. Stamkos will likely establilsh a new benchmark in NHL salaries this summer.

David Backes, St. Louis Age on July 1: 32. Statistics: 79 games, 21 goals, 24 assists. ANALYSIS: Tough to imagine this relationship ending, but the Blues could be strapped financially. Backes will likely be on the downside of his career, too.

Kyle Okposo, N.Y. Islanders. Age on July 1: 28. Statistics: 79 games, 22 goals, 42 assists.ANALYSIS: The Islanders will have plenty of young players coming up for new deals, so Okposo may likely walk out the door. Especially if he’s looking for $7 million per season, as has been speculated.

Milan Lucic, Los Angeles. Age on July 1: 28. Statistics: 81 games, 20 goals, 35 assists. ANALYSIS: Lucic fits into the Kings’ style of play nicely, but there is speculation teams could be throwing $6 to $7 million per season for a big, lumbering player who had good bounce-back season.

Andrew Ladd, Chicago. Age on July 1: 30. Statistics: 78 games, 25 goals, 21 assists. ANALYSIS: Ladd would like to stay in Chicago but it’s impossible given the Blackhawks’ salary cap situation. He could wind up in Florida, where his leadership and skill blend well into what the Panthers need.

Eric Staal, N.Y. Rangers. Age on July 1: 31.Statistics: 83 games, 13 goals, 26 assists. ANALYSIS: Staal didn’t exactly set the world on fire after being obtained at the trade deadline by the Rangers. There’s a feeling Staal is an “old” 31 and he’s fading.

Jaromir Jagr, Florida. Age on July 1: 44. Statistics: 79 games, 27 goals, 39 assists. ANALYSIS: Jagr is in a perfect spot in Florida, he loves the team and the front office loves him, so it’s highly unlikely he’s leaving.

Loui Eriksson, Boston. Age on July 1: 30. Statistics: 82 games, 30 goals, 33 assists. ANALYSIS: Definitely helped himself with a big offensive season in his contract year, and likely priced himself out of Boston. But Eriksson duplicate this sort of production somewhere else, in a lesser lineup?

Darren Helm, Detroit. Age on July 1: 29. Statistics: 77 games, 13 goals, 13 assists. ANALYSIS: The Red Wings probably would like to keep him, but there are going to be teams willing to double his salary given his assets (speed, penalty killing, checking).

Mikkel Boedker, Colorado. Age on July 1: 26. Statistics: 80 games, 17 goals, 34 assists. ANALYSIS: People keep on expecting more out of Boedker and he has yet to deliver. Some team will pay a lot, though, thinking they can unlock all that offensive potential.

Jiri Hudler, Florida. Age on July 1: 32. Statistics: 72 games, 16 goals, 30 assists. ANALYSIS: Hudler is hitting the free agent market one year too late. He had a career-best year the season before. This season, Hudler was a big disappointment and likely cost himself some money.

Radim Vrbata, Vancouver. Age on July 1: 35. Statistics: 63 games, 13 goals, 14 assists. ANALYSIS: Had a rebirth playing with the Sedin twins, but regressed badly this season and will likely wait deep into the summer before getting a contract offer.

Alexander Radulov, Russia. Age on July 1: 30. Statistics: 53 games, 23 goals, 42 assists. ANALYSIS: Is returning to the NHL after playing in Russia. Radulov didn’t have the best reputation (selfish, lazy) when he played in Nashville, but insists he has matured.

Shane Doan, Arizona. Age on July 1: 39. Statistics: 72 games, 28 goals, 19 assists. ANALYSIS: Still a productive player, Doan has always been and will likely forever be, a Coyote.

Frans Nielsen, N.Y. Islanders. Age on July 1: 32. Statistics: 81 games, 20 goals, 32 assists. ANALYSIS: The Islanders are up against the salary cap and not everyone will be kept. Nielsen will be a good, serviceable signing for some team.

Troy Brouwer, St. Louis. Age on July 1: 30. Statistics: 82 games, 18 goals, 21 assists. ANALYSIS: An accountable veteran who uses his size and grit to score dirty goals and has played for winning teams. The Blues likely won’t be able to keep him financially.

Lee Stempniak, Boston. Age on July 1: 33. Statistics: 82 games, 19 goals, 32 assists. ANALYSIS: Seemingly on this list every summer, and every season Stempniak finds a job somewhere and helps a team. He will again, but will likely have to wait for an offer.

David Perron, Anaheim. Age on July 1: 27. Statistics: 71 games, 12 goals, 24 assists. ANALYSIS: Perron had a bit of rebirth with the Ducks, and some team will be intrigued by his offensive potential. But the inconsistency will worry most teams.

Jamie McGinn, Anaheim. Age on July 1: 27. Statistics: 84 games, 22 goals, 17 assists. ANALYSIS: McGinn is the type of under-the-radar signing that could put the team deeper into the playoffs next season. No frills, but does a lot of positive things on the ice.

Dale Weise, Chicago. Age on July 1: 27. Statistics: 71 games, 14 goals, 13 assists. ANALYSIS: His stock went down during his time in Chicago. Weise was a trade deadline acquisition that simply didn’t fit with the Blackhawks, but he’s a gritty fourth-liner with size.

Paul Gaustad, Nashville. Age on July 1: 34. Statistics: 63 games, 2 goals, 4 assists. ANALYSIS: A big, tough fourth-line center who is good on faceoffs and can kill penalties. He’ll be a fit somewhere because of his work ethic.

Shawn Matthias, Colorado. Age on July 1: 28. Statistics: 71 games, 12 goals, 16 assists. ANALYSIS: This one-time Red Wings draft pick (he was traded for Todd Bertuzzi) has been kicking around the league lately, hanging on. Good size and defensive skills, but limited offensively.

Jason Chimera, Washington. Age on July 1: 37. Statistics: 82 games, 20 goals, 20 assists. ANALYSIS: Underrated player who has done a nice job with the Capitals, who could be hard-pressed to retain him. Could be a nice one-year pickup for some team.

DEFENSEMEN

Keith Yandle, N.Y. Rangers. Age on July 1: 29. Statistics: 82 games, 5 goals, 42 assists. ANALYSIS: Will be a popular target by many teams (hometown Boston is interested) for his offensive ability, but his time with the Rangers continued to show Yandle is a liability defensively.

Brian Campbell, Florida. Age on July 1: 36. Statistics: 82 games, 6 goals, 25 assists. ANALYSIS: Will get nowhere where he did in his previous free agent contract. But Campbell remains a gifted offensive player with defensive shortcomings.

Kris Russell, Dallas. Age on July 1: 29. Statistics: 62 games, 4 goals, 15 assists. ANALYSIS: Dallas may be interested in re-signing this trade deadline acquisition, who is a tremendous shot-blocker and provides accountability and stability on the blue line.

Dan Hamhuis, Vancouver. Age on July 1: 33. Statistics: 58 games, 3 goals, 10 assists. ANALYSIS: It was surprising when the Canucks didn’t trade this Vancouver native at the deadline. Hamhuis might take a hometown discount to stay.

Alex Goligoski, Dallas. Age on July 1: 30. Statistics: 82 games, 5 goals, 32 assists. ANALYSIS: There’s debate whether Goligoski is a premium top-four defenseman but Goligoski’s offensive capabilities will land him a good contract somewhere.

Kyle Quincey, Detroit. Age on July 1: 30. Statistics: 47 games, 4 goals, 7 assists. ANALYSIS: There probably isn’t any room for him with the Red Wings, but Quincey will find a job somewhere on a team looking for a capable defensive defenseman.

Luke Schenn, Los Angeles. Age on July 1: 26. Statistics: 72 games, 4 goals, 12 assists. ANALYSIS: Schenn has never lived up to his expectations coming into the league but may have found a home in Los Angeles, which could try to re-sign him.

Jason Demers, Dallas. Age on July 1: 27. Statistics: 62 games, 7 goals, 16 assists. ANALYSIS: Not overly flashy, Demers would be a good acquisition for the third-pair on some team looking for depth.

Tom Gilbert, Montreal. Age on July 1: 33. Statistics: 45 games, 1 goal, 1 assist. ANALYSIS: Gilbert suffered through an injury-plagued season that could hurt his stock, but he can provide depth and steady defensive play.

Roman Polak, San Jose. Age on July 1: 30. Statistics: 79 games, 1 goal, 15 assists. ANALYSIS: A tough-minded, rugged player with a fine work ethic, Polak isn’t naturally gifted, but he’ll land a third-pair role on some team.

GOALIES

James Reimer, San Jose. Age on July 1: 28. Statistics: 40 games, 17-14-7, .922 SVS. ANALYSIS: Rescued from Toronto at the trade deadline, Reimer stabilized and strengthened the Sharks’ goaltending position. San Jose could be interested in re-signing him.