Top 50 NHL Free Agents

For a lot of hockey fans, Christmas really comes in July — July 1, to be exact. That’s when the NHL free agency market opens for business.

But while fans are like kids — dreaming of winning Stanley Cups if only their team can sign the “right” players — general managers are the parents who deal with the facts of life … they have to make sure any newcomers fit into the salary structure and mesh with the players they already have.

The doors to hockey’s shopping season swing open on July 1. Here’s a look at 50 of the top potential free agents — 15 defensemen, 25 forwards and 10 goaltenders.

Full list here