BY MIKE BROPHY
sportsnet.ca

The July 1 opening of free-agency in the NHL promises to be busy, and sportsnet.ca gets you ready with a quick look at the names available.

Below is a list of potential names expected to be on the move this summer.

Ilya Kovalchuk | 2009-10 salary: $7.5 million

Synopsis: There might not be the market for Kovalchuk that he suspected when he turned down a lucrative offer to remain with the Atlanta Thrashers. A number of teams have locked up their best players on long-term deals and he certainly didn't do himself any favours by being just average upon his trade to New Jersey.

Vinny Prospal | 2009-10 salary: $1.1 million

Synopsis: Prospal prospered playing with Marian Gaborik. Just when you think he might be slowing down, he has a very good year. With 20 goals and 58 points in 75 games, he should be worth more than the money the Rangers paid him last season. At 35 he's not necessarily a star, but he is a quality support player.

Anton Volchenkov | 2009-10 salary: $3.2 million

Synopsis: Volchenkov, 28, is a solid, dependable defensive defenceman. Problem is a lot of teams are following the Detroit Red Wings lead in not paying big bucks to defenceman who don't produce points. With just 14 points in 64 games this past season, Volchenkov fits into that category.

Alexei Ponikarovsky | 2009-10 salary: $2.5 million

Synopsis: The Penguins hoped they were getting a scoring winger when they acquired the 30-year-old Ponikarovsky from the Maple Leafs at the trade deadline. He had just nine points in 16 regular season games and five points in 11 playoff games. He was a healthy scratch twice in the playoffs. Still, he is big at 6-foot-4 and is good for 60 points a year. There will be plenty of interest in him if he's not shooting for the moon in terms of salary.

Ray Whitney | 2009-10 salary: $3.55 million

Synopsis: At 38, Whitney remains fairly productive, although his points total dipped to 58 last season from 77 the year before. There was plenty of interest in him at the trade deadline, but the rumor was he wanted a long-term deal to waive his no-trade clause. Whitney can still play, but his age will scare some teams away. He might be best suited for a contender.

Pavel Kubina | 2009-10 salary: $5 million

Synopsis: Kubina, 33, is a consistent point-producing defender with great size (6-foot-4, 250 pounds). He was unduly criticized in Toronto, where the fans never really warmed to him, but returned to form with the Thrashers. If the Penguins lose Sergei Gonchar to free agency, Kubina might be a nice replacement.

Aaron Asham | 2009-10 salary: $640,000

Synopsis: Every team needs role players and if you're in the market for a tough guy who can also play the game, Asham is perfect for the job. On the heels of a 10-goal, 24-point season, Asham played superbly in the playoffs adding another four goals in 23 games. The Flyers would be crazy to let this guy get away and while we're on the subject, a raise is in order.

Andy Sutton | 2009-10 salary: $3.5 million

Synopsis: Sutton is big at 6-foot-6 and 245 pounds, and a tough defender who, like Vochenkov, is quite adept at blocking shots. The Senators are interested in re-signing him, but he may get offers from others teams, too. He is capable of producing a little offence which makes him a valuable commodity.

	JT's spotty playoff record may hinder his chances on the open market

Jose Theodore | 2009-10 salary: $4.5 million

Synopsis: Here's the thing about Theodore, he can win in the regular season (32 victories two years ago and 30 this past season), but he doesn't get the job done in the playoffs. It's pretty much been that way through most of his career. The 2002 Vezina and Hart Trophy winner will likely have to take a huge pay cut if he wants to continue his career.

Ray Emery | 2009-10 salary: $1.5 million Synopsis: The Flyers rolled the dice on the controversial goaltender after he spent the previous season playing in Russia, and he failed to complete the season for them. A (tragically) hip injury sidelined him for the year so it will be interesting to see if there is a market for his services next season.