BY MARK SPECTOR
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.

Paul Kariya | 2009-10 salary: $6 million

Synopsis: The time has come for Kariya, 35, to find one last contract in a comfortable place, become a support player and earn a supporting cast paycheck. He’ll end up working in Anaheim – perhaps one last fling with Teemu Selanne (if he doesn’t retire), on a line with Saku Koivu — for around $2 million.

Marty Turco | 2009-10 salary: $5.7 million

Synopsis: What kind of a market is there for a 34-year-old goalie whose game declined markedly last season? Good question. Turco would be a good mentor in Philly for Johan Backlund, or San Jose with Thomas Greiss — or any place where the future No. 1 is NHL ready, but perhaps not for 65 starts.

Evgeni Nabokov | 2009-10 salary: 5.375 million

Synopsis: Nabokov is a 'tweener. His game is likely as good as it has ever been, but there is serious question over his tenure in San Jose whether he is that shut down goalie that can take a good team over the top. If he couldn’t do it in San Jose, then why elsewhere? Buyer beware here, Philadelphia.

Kim Johnsson | 2009-10 salary: $4.85 million

Synopsis: Johnsson was supposed to be veteran support for Chicago's Cup run, but hurt himself and didn't play after getting injured in March. Now, the Hawks can't afford him. He'll take a pay cut and play that Kimmo Timonen role on the second pairing somewhere. How about Buffalo, where they desperately need some offence from the back end.

John Madden | 2009-10 salary: $2.75 million

Synopsis: Experienced winner seeks fourth Cup ring. Madden was huge as the fourth-line centre in Chicago, winning key draws, killing penalties and doing some of his best work behind closed dots in the 'Hawks room. Los Angeles, Colorado, Buffalo, Vancouver — even Pittsburgh or Washington — would all be better teams for signing Madden.

Eric Nystrom | 2009-10 salary: $687,500

Synopsis: Here is a young (27), gritty winger with some skill who can toughen any team up on its third line. A rare Calgary draft pick who has panned out, you wonder how the Flames can let Nystrom get away. Vancouver should be all over this guy. So should Montreal and the Islanders, where Dad Bob played.

Willie Mitchell | 2009-10 salary: $3.5 million

Synopsis: Huge wildcard, after Mitchell missed half the season and all the playoffs with a concussion after a clean check from Evgeni Malkin. Mitchell is a hard-nosed, tough customer. But can he play that way anymore? Ottawa and Montreal could use him, if he had a clean bill of health.

	Due to a concussion. Willie Mitchell was not a factor in the Canucks playoff run.

Kyle Wellwood | 2009-10 salary: $1.2 million

Synopsis: A sly, useful third-line centreman with excellent hands. He can play second unit powerplay, and is a nice drawman as well, at less then $2 M. If you can surround Wellwood with two big wingers, you’re fine. San Jose? Dallas? Atlanta, now that Marty Reasoner has moved?

Alex Frolov

2009-10 salary: $2.9 million

Synopsis: There was a time when giving up on Frolov in L.A. was considered heresy. Not anymore. Here’s a classic second-team guy — big, skilled, can skate. If you think he’ll figure it out on team No. 2 — like Jason Arnott after he left Edmonton — Frolov could be a huge find. How about Columbus, Edmonton, or Tampa Bay?