Side note: When I say yearly salary, I mean cap hit + bonus.

Also note: This article barely scrapes the surface of UFA, I just don't have the time right now to finish it.

Brent Burns (Chicago) - Probably will be the highest paid UFA this year. There will be anywhere from 10-25 teams keeping an eye on him. Because of the way bidding will likely go, and with expansion looming, look for a 1 to 2 year deal. I expect his final price will hover around 18 mil yearly.

My picks to land him: Chicago, Pittsburgh, Dallas

Jeff Carter (Chicago) - Another elite UFA coming from Chicago. Carter has awesome rates, and is about as young as UFAs get. Again, like most big names, I expect a 1 or 2 year deal. I expect a yearly salary of 14 mil.

My picks to land him: Colorado, Washington, New York Rangers

Jaromir Jagr (Chicago) - Again, a high end Chicago UFA. Jagr will more than likely get only a 1 year deal. His rates aren't mind blowing, but they're solid enough. I expect he'll be signed later on in UFA, for around 8 mil total salary.

My picks to land him: Calgary, Florida, Washington

David Backes (Chicago) - Last Chicago UFA I'll cover. Backes will land a 1 to 2 year deal somewhere. He's got decent rates across the board and plays for the Bruins. His yearly salary will hit 7-8 million, Rumpy will make sure he doesn't go for less. Grit, grit, grit.

My picks to land him: Dallas, Boston, Los Angeles & maybe Buffalo if he goes to a non Bruins homer.

Marian Hossa (St. Louis) - Hossa is 38, coming off another solid season. He'll only get a 1 year deal, but with his 86 scoring, it'll likely be a big one. His yearly salary will exceed 10 million.

My picks to land him: St. Louis, Calgary, Carolina, Washington

Keith Yandle (Montreal) - Yandle is a great puck mover in both BRHL and NHL. Great on PP. Difference between NHL and BRHL? His 74 DF rating. Pretty solid for the Keith Yandle we all know. He could get a longer term deal, but again, with expansion looming, who knows? I'm guessing he hits 10 million per year in BRHL.

My picks to land him: Montreal, Carolina, Florida, Tampa Bay

Joe Thornton (Montreal) - A big time candidate for a one year deal. Real solid passing rating, but that's about it. I expect a 1 year deal for Thornton worth around 7-9 million.

My picks to land him: Pittsburgh, Washington, Buffalo, New York Islanders

Alex Steen (Washington) - It gets real interesting with Steen. He strikes me as the type to either fly under the radar and go a little cheap, or get monster money. He also is a candidate for a longer term deal. With that said, I'm guessing 2 years & 12 mil per year.

My picks to land him: Washington, Carolina, Montreal, Colorado

Blake Wheeler (Washington) - I expect another huge pay day for Blake Wheeler this year. So much so that no one will be able to afford more than a 1 year deal, except for Washington. Awesome rates right across the board, one of the very best available in this years UFA crop. Regardless of term, he's getting 15 + mil.

My picks to land him: Washington, Carolina, Dallas, Edmonton

Mike Green (Arizona) - He's coming off a pretty good NHL season. His rates reflect exactly as he played. He's not the name he once was, and will likely be a reasonably priced UFA. I expect around 7 million yearly.

My picks to land him: Montreal, Carolina, Chicago, Colorado

Claude Giroux (New Jersey) - We'll end the article with a bang. Everyone will be in on Giroux, and he could get any type of deal. He's coming off a semi-down year, but still has very good rates, and is young. His yearly salary will likely touch 15 million.

My picks to land him: Colorado, Washington, Anaheim