Simon Gagne

When taking a closer look at a team, if you find that several players or coaches share a similar history, questions are often asked of their current team’s future.

So seems to possibly be the case with the Los Angeles Kings.

The Kings currently have five former members of the Philadelphia Flyers franchise in their system, all in very important roles.

After the 2011 NHL Entry Draft came to an end, a majority of NHL die-hard fans started to focus on the beginning of free agency.

Free agency is paramount to most NHL teams. It could very well decide the fate of some and whether they have a chance at the post-season or not. Not too mention for us fans, it's very interesting to see who will end up where.

It's sometimes jaw-dropping when you see your favorite player (Michael Ryder) on your favorite team (Boston Bruins) sign with another (Dallas Stars) a day into free agency, when you knew for sure they wouldn't leave. 

Beating out the Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning in the Simon Gagne sweepstakes is a solid triumph for the Los Angeles Kings.

There was a sense of anticipation around the Los Angeles Kings since free agency opened on the morning of July 1st. The Kings put their best foot forward, and finally their efforts have paid off.

Just one week after one of the biggest shake-ups in franchise history, the Philadelphia Flyers continued to rock the NHL world on the first day of NHL free agency.

A few days ago, there were some rumors flying around that the Flyers were looking to bring Simon Gagne back to Philadelphia.

Gagne is old and injury prone and that is EXACTLY why it would be wise for the Flyers to take a look at him yet again; he will certainly come cheap.

At 31-years-old, Gagne isn't the youngest player around, but he is still capable of producing at a consistent level if he's healthy. He could be a solid second or third line skater who nets about 20 goals per season.

The arena, packed to the rafters with 20,545 rabid fans, pumped with anticipation. Moments before the Lightning took the ice—a 3D video projected on to the ice—firing up the crowd even more and it reached crescendo when their hockey team arrived on scene.

The Pittsburgh Penguins, playoff veterans, have seen this all before. The Lightning, boasting nine playoff newcomers, had not.

There were times during Game One when you wondered if the Tampa Bay Lightning would ever get a puck past Pittsburgh netminder Marc-Andre Fleury.

Lightning defenseman Eric Brewer answered that question just 2:02 into the first period as Tampa Bay steam rolled the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-1 to even the best-of-seven series at one game a piece.

With the 2011 NHL playoffs field set and all of the focus directed on the teams, the matchups and the series, a lot of postseason-bound players need to improve their play during their team's stay in the playoffs and really make a difference if they want to be re-signed.

If not, they'll be dumped off to a lesser role in a lesser team for a lesser salary, and they certainly don't want that.

Even though the Stanley Cup playoffs are only just beginning this week, we know that the end of the season is not too far off and will come much too quickly.

Then, the free agent market will open.

There are many great options out there for teams looking for scoring, including some hidden gems.

Here are the top 15 scorers on the market.

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