| Authored by Nick Obergan - 23rd July, 2010 - 7:22 pm
 With Ilya Kovalchuk seemingly ready to sign in New Jersey and his contract taking up all of the free agency news, let?s shed some light on some key players that remain unsigned and are not receiving as much attention.
Lee Stempniak, RW, 09-10: $3.5M
Stempniak began his career in St. Louis, where he scored 27 goals in his sophomore season, but continually left fans and management unimpressed after that. After being traded to Toronto in 2008-09, he scored merely 25 goals in 123 games and was dealt at this past season?s deadline. The trade to Phoenix seemed to rejuvenate his career as he would end up scoring 14 times in the 18 games he played for the Coyotes, ending up with 28 goals for the season (most among available UFA?s not named Ilya). Phoenix would love to have him back, as they lack offence in a big way, and he seemed to thrive with an under the radar team. Other fits: NY Islanders, Columbus, Atlanta, Minnesota, Carolina.
Maxim Afinogenov, RW, 09-10: $800k
Last year, Afinogenov was an absolute bargain for the Thrashers, as he had a very good season with 24 goals, 37 assists and 61 points; he had the most points among remaining UFA?s other than Kovalchuk. After nine seasons in Buffalo ? three of which he scored 20 goals - he was pretty much run out of town, and no one else was interested until Atlanta invited him to training cap and signed him for peanuts. He is a decent second/third line winger who can put the puck in the net, but often lacks motivation. Atlanta doesn?t look very interested in bringing him back, but he may fit well with other teams needing offence like Minnesota, Phoenix, Columbus or even Anaheim if Teemu Selanne retires.
Alexei Ponikarovsky, LW, 09-10: $2.5M
Poni played under the microscope of the biggest brand in the NHL, the Toronto Maple Leafs, for over six years. It remains to be seen if he would thrive in a small market as Stempniak did, but the big winger hardly seemed to improve his game from season to season. His post-lockout goal totals by season: 21, 21, 18, 23, and 21. In 61 games with Toronto this season, he had 19 goals and looked poised to set a new career high, however he only managed to score twice in 16 games with the Penguins after the deadline trade. So was he just an average player putting up numbers on bad teams? He surely won?t be offered what he earned last year salary-wise, but he would benefit from a chance to show his worth as a second-line winger. If he continues to get little to no offers, he could very well flee to his hometown Russia and the big-budget KHL. He would appear to be a good fit in Atlanta beside former team mate Nik Antropov, or with the Islanders, Buffalo, Columbus, St. Louis or Phoenix.
Bill Guerin, RW, 09-10: $2M
The rugged veteran of over 1200 games played has no desire to stop playing, and at 39-years-old he scored over 20 goals for the 12th time in his career. He is playoff proven, and would love to come back to Pittsburgh, but they appear to be more interested in finding another center. Contending teams should have his agent on speed dial, as he can definitely make a difference on the ice and in the dressing room. Detroit would get more production out of him, for instance, than they would Mike Modano. Guerin would also seem to fit well in Anaheim, Buffalo, San Jose, LA Kings, or the NY Rangers.
Other Forwards Available: Paul Kariya, Eric Belanger, Raffi Torres, Marek Svatos, Alexander Frolov
Nick can be reached by email nickobergan@hotmail.com or on Twitter @nickobergan.
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