Since I am an awesome guy, I will remind everyone that there is a new chart for the "no trade" period.  I would take a look to make sure you are aware about when you can sign and trade a person.

Here are the top forwards available on the market:

THE BIG 3

#1 Brad "the rat" Marchand LW (99pa, 88sc)

This guy does it all.  Max PA and scores a ton.  Would slot into almost everyone's top line, except maybe Blue Ball's team.  This guy should make Ovechkin-esk salary with the lack of top players in FA.

#2 Patrice Bergeron C (80pa, 94sc)

Another stud that will make just about the same as Marchand.  Coud Greg try and get the IRL Bruins "Perfection Line" onto his BRHL team?

#3 Evgeni Malkin C (99pa, 90sc)

Yet, another player on the market with max PA.  Malkin has better SC than Marchand so maybe he gets the most in FA.  Either way, I am sure that whoever gets one of the top 3 will be happy.  This will come with a hefty price, so peple better be very strategic with their term.

Plan B's

#4 Nicklas Backstrom C (94pa, 72sc)

Backstrom always has an elite PA rating, but rarely has elite SC.  This guy will be the top plan b for most teams.  I know that people will hope he goes for cheap, but there are just not enough out there for that to happen.  He should still go for $10mil salary + bonus.

#5 Mikael Backlund C/RW (80pa, 74sc)

The top RW on the board is going to get overpaid.  He has mid 6 rates, but will be on the top line for someone that lacks a decent RW.  Helps that he has decent FO.  This guy should command about $10mil salary + bonus...yikes!

#6 TJ Oshie RW (76pa, 87sc)

The second top RW.  TJ doesn't have a C option, but he can score.  If someone is looking or a high scoring RW, this is their guy.  Another $10mil salary + bonus guy.

#7 David Perron LW/RW (84pa, 85sc)

Perron is going to get paid, maybe even more thank Oshie and Backlund.  He can play both wings.  Perron would idealy be a second line winger on a top team, but if you blink, you will miss out on a top FA.

BEST OF THE REST

#8 Gustav Nyquist LW/RW (79pa, 72sc)

Gus has decent PA and SC.  Plays both sides, so has some value to him.  I wouldn't be suprised if he made around $7mil-$8mil salary + bonus.

#9 Paul Statsny C (75pa, 75sc)

Center is the only deep position at FA.  He has bottom 6 numbers so buyer beware they don't spend too much on an average player, hurting them get studs in the future.

#10 Patric Hornqvist RW (74pa, 84sc)

The final 80sc+ guy on the market.  Since everyone gets a hardone for the SC, he's going to def get overpaid.  $10mil salary + bonus is not out of the conversation.

With the lack of depth in UFA, many may dip into the RFA market.  There are about 7-8 players that seem to be prime candidates for a sign & trade due to their IRL salaries.  There are some that aren't signed due to laziness, but I see that there should be a handful of trades that involve a final year RFA.  This is more interesting than the UFAs, IMO.  Since I am basically all set, I will just sit back and watch the shit show.

Defensemen UFA article to follow.