Although the Stanley Cup Finals have come and gone, there is still plenty more hockey to be had in the hockey world.  Then end of a season doesn’t necessarily mean a break, though many players do go back to their respective home states or countries for at least a period of time, but begins the search and preparation for an even bigger and better next season.  The NHL draft is  a much talked about event for managers, players, and fans alike.

Here are my favorite five free agents.

Bryan Bickell

Initially seeming like a lucky player, Bickell continued to prove his talent and consistency throughout the Finals this season ultimately scoring one of the most important goals of his life for the Chicago Blackhawks.  His last goal this season tied the team in Game 6 and allowed teammate David Bolland to sink another to win the Blackhawks the Stanley Cup.  Bickell is undoubtedly a key player coming into the draft.  He’s a big guy, he’s fast, and he’s a strong forward.  He has also proved more than once he works well under pressure and can score goals.

A few weeks ago I’d have said it was a toss up where Bickell could end up come July 5th, the start of the free agent season, given the Blackhawks have a rather full roster and not much room in their salary cap.  I’d have expected him to be picked up by someone else, like the Red Wings who are soon going to be needing another looming forward.  However, after his Stanley Cup Finals performances I’d be genuinely shocked, and a little hurt, if the Blackhawks didn’t make room for him.  It’s been pretty well publicized since the final game that Bickell wants to stay and management wants him to stay, so far now I think it’s safe to say that hockey fans can expect to see him next season wearing the red and black.

Jarome Iginla

Iginla will likely be the top name player amongst free agents.  After making the move from Calgary to Pittsburgh this last season he continued to play strong earned a point for almost every game as a Penguin.  He added another 12 points just in the postseason.  Iginla left no question that at 35 he’s still a top-line, top caliber player.  He plays fierce hockey and doesn’t let up.

While it might be ideal for everyone involved, Iginla comes at a pretty high price and the penguins don’t have much room to work with.  There are a few other people who will definitely need to be re-signed first and won’t cost the team as much.  I think Iginla departing is much more likely and maybe to a team like the Kings.  I know I don’t stand alone in that opinion either.  The Kings have a lot of room in their salary cap to accommodate Iginla, they’re one of the teams he originally approved when Calgary was looking to trade him, and his old bench coach from Calgary, Darryl Sutter, is now leading the Kings.  The Kings could always use an offensive beefing up too and Iginla would make a great fit.

Derek Roy

Derek Roy will probably be one of the least talked about free agents, to give some perspective, but I think he deserves just as much attention.  He’s had a rough go of it the past few years.  Last season Roy was injury riddled and had issues with Coach Lindy Ruff culminating in his departure from Buffalo after 8 seasons.  He started this year with the Dallas Stars, still injured, but thanks to the delay caused by the locket was healed enough from his surgery to at least hit the ice.  Understandably starting slow, Roy finally seemed to get back up to speed when he was traded to Vancouver.  He definitely didn’t finish the season out strong but it’s not hard to remember back a couple years when he finished with 32 goals and 49 assists; Roy is young enough to still have serious potential.  He won’t be a superstar in the free agent season, but Roy would make a great center for teams looking for a number two center.

I don’t think the Canucks will keep him around though.  They’re going through so many other changes of their own, I think they’ll be doing a complete overhaul.  I’m not sure where Roy will end up but I’m confident I’ll see him on the ice again next year.  He could be great for a team like the Ducks who could use a deeper offense.

Jonathan Bernier

Not as notable as starting goaltender Jonathan Quick, Bernier is still a great goalie.  He’s young and has been backing a strong leader.  After trade talks throughout the season that never transpired, it was no shock when talks started about where Bernier would end up this upcoming season.  He had proven his worth and it was obvious that in order to receive a starting spot he deserved, he would have to go to another team.

Although technically not a free agent, I felt Bernier was notable in my list yet because he just barely missed becoming one.  I expected him to be picked up by a team in serious need of crease guards like the Flyers or even the Penguins so I was pretty surprised to hear he was traded to Toronto at the last minute.  Many Leafs fans were less than thrilled to hear they’d lost offensive depth for another goalie but I think their opinions will quickly change.  Bernier is young and agile and should make for a great backbone to a team as equally young as he is.

Mike Ribeiro

Last but not least, Capitals’ Mike Ribeiro.  Ribeiro received a decent salary this past year playing for Washington but could easily make the same, if not more, on the market.  There are not many elite forwards up for grabs this year, which makes him stand out even more.  It appears that Ribeiro might like to remain in Washington but his salary alone almost entirely consumes what’s available for the year and there are a couple other teammates who would be left in the dust then.  So then the question arises, does he look for more money but likely a weaker team or does he give up some money to play for a powerhouse?  The fact that he was able to earn a lot of points during the season but didn’t do much of anything in the playoffs will be considered too.  You’re less helpful if you can’t keep up in the postseason.

Although by no means young, or old, I think Ribeiro will go somewhere based upon money, which won’t be Washington.  He has a lot of talent and will be great for rebuilding weak teams like Ottawa and Nashville.  Those teams are planning to do big overhauls this off season anyway so if they’re able to use their extremely large salary caps wisely and pick up star players like Ribeiro, they could just as likely end up in a postseason run next year as this year’s winner.