TSN.ca's All-Free Agent Team

Martin Gerber
Age: 31
Rumoured Suitors: Red Wings, Senators
2005-06 Team: Carolina Hurricanes
2006-07 Team: Ottawa Senators
The Lowdown - Gerber lived up to expectations when Carolina acquired him two summers ago from Anaheim. He helped lead the Hurricanes to an impressive second place finish in the Eastern Conference in the regular season. But fate saw Cam Ward take most of the duties in the playoffs, and the rest was history. But Gerber has shown that he can make an immediate impact upon arrival. No reason to believe he can't do it again.

Manny Legace
Age: 33
Rumoured Suitors: Blues, Senators, Kings
2005-06 Team: Detroit Red Wings
2006-07 Team: St. Louis Blues
The Lowdown - Legace had a career year in 2005-06, going 37-8 with a 2.19 goals-against average and .915 save percentage. But he struggled in the playoffs, finishing with a 2-4 record and an .884 save percentage. There are still at least a half-dozen teams that are in the market for a netminder and it will be an interesting summer for Legace whose outstanding regular season could net him a lot.

Dwayne Roloson
Age: 36
Rumoured Suitors: Oilers, Panthers, Blue Jackets, Red Wings
2005-06 Team: Edmonton Oilers
2006-07 Team: Edmonton Oilers
The Lowdown - After leading the eighth seed Edmonton Oilers to the Stanley Cup Final, Roloson is arguably the highest-profile free-agent netminder and can answer the, "What have you done for me, lately?" question. Roloson will want a long-term deal, which would help since he's already 36 and would like some stability for what might be his last NHL contract.

Rob Blake
Age: 36
Rumoured Suitors: Avalanche, Kings, Sharks
2005-06 Team: Colorado Avalanche
2006-07 Team: Los Angeles Kings
The Lowdown - Blake will almost certainly remain in Colorado, just as captain Joe Sakic did by signing on for next season. New GM Francois Giguere has made signing Blake a top priority, all that seems to be the obstacle is the asking price. At 36, he is still one of the most productive and reliable blueliners around the league.

Zdeno Chara
Age: 29
Rumoured Suitors: Rangers, Oilers, Wild, Sharks, Coyotes, Ducks
2005-06 Team: Ottawa Senators
2006-07 Team: Boston Bruins
The Lowdown - The Sens signed Wade Redden two days before the start of the signing period, leaving Chara status with the club further in doubt. Any team that signs him gets the full package on the blueline. He loves to hit, plays with tremendous intensity and grit and can bring out the best in team chemistry. He also has underrated offensive ability, which makes him all the more marketable in the new NHL.

Ed Jovanovski
Age: 30
Rumoured Suitors: Canucks, Panthers
2005-06 Team: Vancouver Canucks
2006-07 Team: Phoenix Coyotes
The Lowdown - Despite missing 38 games last season with a lower-abdominal ailment that required surgery Feb. 1, the new NHL's accents on speed and special teams are two of Jovanovski's greatest attributes as he enters the open market. Reports say Panthers GM Mike Keenan would love to bring him back to South Florida, where he could team up with friend Todd Bertuzzi.

Pavel Kubina
Age: 29
Rumoured Suitors: Flyers, Rangers, Canucks, Sharks, Islanders
2005-06 Team: Tampa Bay Lightning
2006-07 Team: Toronto Maple Leafs
The Lowdown - Kubina put up career numbers last season, and a Stanley Cup ring doesn't hurt his value either. The unrestricted free agent wants at least $4 million US a season and that's more than the Lightning is willing to pay - especially with so much money tied up in their top three forwards. He's good, and you would think that there's a team willing to pony up the cash for him.

Willie Mitchell
Age: 29
Rumoured Suitors: Stars, Flyers, Maple Leafs, Canucks
2005-06 Team: Dallas Stars
2006-07 Team: Vancouver Canucks
The Lowdown - Mitchell is certainly an underrated blueliner in a free agent pool that includes stars like Chara and Jovanovski. At 6-3 and 205 pounds, he is a huge physical specimen and displays terrific mobility for his size. He also possesses a big shot from the point.

Jay McKee
Age: 28
Rumoured Suitors: Rangers, Devils, Canadiens, Maple Leafs, Flyers
2005-06 Team: Buffalo Sabres
2006-07 Team: St. Louis Blues
The Lowdown - The gritty defenceman was a key factor in Buffalo's impressive run to the Eastern Conference Final before he was knocked out for the series finale. While his numbers aren't flashy (five goals and 11 assists), McKee will likely be pursued by a number of teams and draw a nice deal this offseason because of his willingness to play the physical game, and lay out to block shots.

Brendan Witt
Age: 31
Rumoured Suitors: Predators, Canadiens, Ducks, Avalanche
2005-06 Team: Nashville Predators
2006-07 Team: New York Islanders
The Lowdown - Witt is one of a handful of Predators whose future contractual status was not settled. He was a valuable cog in the Preds' defense and should draw top consideration from teams. He gives it all on every shift, loves to take the body and isn't afraid of dropping the gloves. All of this makes for a strong defender and an excellent team leader.