As the season has ended for all but two teams, there is much speculation about soon-to-be restricted and unrestricted free agents, and whether they are going to stay with their current clubs; so let?s take a look at who may be getting an extension before July 1st, or who may be testing the free agent waters. Ilya Kovalchuk Once a thought-to-be suitor for Kovy, the Colorado Avalanche seem to indicate they won?t be making an offer for the superstar winger. The Denver Post quoted Avs GM Greg Sherman as saying he wants ?to build from within,? and ?stay with the plan in place.? That plan doesn?t appear to be making a huge splash in free agency. Before he was traded to the Devils, rumors were rampant that the Los Angeles Kings were seriously interested in acquiring Kovy. With the Kings dynamic, successful young core, and money to spend (plus Alexander Frolov?s contract expiring), they seem to be the primary suitor for the sniper. Aside from them and the Devils, no team has been linked with interest to Kovalchuk to this point, and but he is likely to get around $8 million a season - $2 million a year less than what he turned down from Atlanta. Tomas Plekanec Plekanec is among the top three forward names on the market this offseason (after Ilya Kovalchuk and Patrick Marleau), and it is looking more and more difficult for Montreal to reach an agreement with him. The problem: Plekanec and his agent overvalue him. It?s understandable for a player and his agent to try and get the biggest contract they can, but at the same time you have to have realistic expectations. Radio-Canada.ca believes Plekanec?s agent Rick Curran is pushing for up to $6 million annually, which doesn?t make sense considering the stats. Coming off of a career-best 70 points, it would make more sense to have him for around $4.5-$5 million per season. As the Vancouver Sun indicates, it would be in line with the six year-$30 million deal signed by Ryan Kesler, who had 75 points this year. The difference being, Kesler is one of the top defensive forwards in the game, as proven by his two nominations for the Selke Trophy. Plekanec doesn?t have those accolades, but he has the luxury of a thin free agent market to drive up his financial value. With large financial commitments to Mike Cammalleri, Brian Gionta and Scott Gomez, along with a disappearing act in the playoffs (four goals, 11 points in 19 games), signs point to Plekanec testing free agent waters and likely leaving Montreal. Sergei Gonchar Nothing really to report on this, but he is one of the bigger names on the market for defensemen. GM Ray Shero told the Post-Gazette that he has had preliminary talks with Gonchar?s agent but ?there?s nothing concrete at the moment.? He anticipates more talks beginning next week, and that ?I?m not close on anything right now.? Rumors have Gonchar looking for $5 million per season and multiple years, as the 36-year-old looks for his last big contract. With a big extension to Kris Letang, that may be too high of a price for the Penguins to pay, even for their best offensive defenseman. Gonchar will probably have to take a hometown discount to stay, possibly something along the lines of two years, $7.5-$8 million. Niklas Hjalmarsson As it happens with any deep playoff run, many players from the Blackhawks are seeing their stock rise around the league due to the team?s success. Hjalmarsson is one of those Hawks seeing his value skyrocket, and he is a restricted free agent. Chicago?s cap problems have been well documented, and their top priority has to be retaining Antti Niemi while still trying to get under the cap. Thus, the Hawks are susceptible to an offer sheet on Hjalmarsson that they can?t match. He is undoubtedly a top-4 defenseman in the league, who has become a quality shut-down guy and lethal penalty killer. In 77 regular season games, he was a +9 with only 20 penalty minutes. In 20 games during the playoffs, Hjalmarsson has only taken three minor penalties, is +8 and has averaged 28 shifts and 21 minutes of ice time. The Daily Herald says he could command up to $3 million per season for four years, a contract that would be ?impossible? for Chicago to match. He should draw plenty of interest around the league, especially from teams looking to rebuild their blue line, such as Tampa Bay, Columbus, the Islanders and maybe New Jersey if Paul Martin doesn?t resign. Todd Bertuzzi After getting Nicklas Lidstrom and Tomas Holmstrom resigned, Bertuzzi is next on Detroit?s wish list. But Detroit now has around $52 million committed in salary (around $4 million under the cap), and still have restricted free agents Justin Abdelkader, Drew Miller, Patrick Eaves and Derek Meech to deal with. My money is on Abdelkader and Miller staying for sure, as Detroit has put a premium on keeping their young home-grown talent with playoff experience, and they wouldn?t command much money at this point in their careers. But for Bertuzzi to return, and Detroit to be comfortable with their committed salaries, he would likely have to accept the same $1.5 million he made last season, or perhaps even less. According to Michigan Live, GM Ken Holland has "had a couple of conversations with (Bertuzzi's agent) Pat Morris,'' Holland said. "I don't know where it's going to go.'' Bertuzzi could try and cash in on a successful season and attempt to sign one last long-term deal, or stay with Detroit with the hope of winning a Cup; he hasn?t publicly leaned either way. Paul Martin The New York Post is reporting that Martin and GM Lou Lamoriello have ?agreed to wait until after a new Devils coach is hired? before they start to discuss a new contract. Thus, whoever the Devils hire as coach will determine Martin?s desire to come back to New Jersey. There have been no reports as to Martin?s preference in a new coach (whether young or old, experienced or not, disciplinarian or teacher), but he will probably seek the same salary as last season?s $4.5 million.