This article profiles the NHL unrestricted free agent centers for the summer of 2008, and is the first of five installments. The subsequent ones will profile the left wings, right wings, defensemen, and goaltenders. When a player occupies more than one position, his secondary spots are shown in parentheses.

Rankings were not constructed based on skill level and production alone. There were a number of factors which played into these rankings. Skill level, ability, production, age, upside, prior and projected salary, as well as speculation on where each player’s career might go in the next couple of years, were all contributing factors.

Projected salaries are not based on how much money the player will be making next season, necessarily, but rather the cap hit throughout the length of the contract. All ages for the players ranked are based on how old they will be when the unrestricted free agency signing period begins on July 1st, 2008.

CENTERS
Overall Grade - C+

Last year’s group of unrestricted free agent centers featured the big three of Danny Briere, Scott Gomez, and Chris Drury, as well as great depth with first and second line centers. This year’s group doesn’t boast that quantity of highly skilled players. There a few players in this year’s crop of free agents with high end talent, but after that, the talent level drops significantly. The strength in this year’s group is that there are a number of quality third line/checking line type centers. That depth saves this years class of unrestricted free agent centers from being less than mediocre.

1. Joe Sakic, Colorado Avalanche
38-years-old, shoots left

Sakic could be nearing the end of his illustrious career. However, I still think he has a couple of good years in him, and that he is still an elite leader and hockey player in the NHL.

Prior Salary - $6.75 million
Projected Salary – $6.0 million
Projected Team – Colorado Avalanche

2. Mats Sundin, Toronto Maple Leafs
37-years-old, shoots right

One of the more interesting questions heading into this off-season is where Mats Sundin will end playing in 2008-2009. Will he go back to a Toronto team which could be looking to rebuild? Will he do what he was unwilling to do at the trade deadline and play for another NHL team? Are playing in Sweden or even all out retirement a consideration for the Leafs captain? Regardless of where he ends up, his next team will be getting one of the greatest players of his era, and a guy who is still getting it done even at 37.

Prior Salary - $5.5 million
Projected Salary – $6.5 million
Projected Team – Montreal Canadiens

3. Daymond Langkow, Calgary Flames
31-years-old, shoots left

Langkow has quietly developed into a quality second line center in the NHL over the last few years, who can also play on the top line and not look out of place. In a free agent crop lacking a lot of top end talent, Langkow follows Sakic and Sundin to round out the top three of their class.

Prior Salary - $2.44 million
Projected Salary – $4.75 million
Projected Team – Calgary Flames

4. Pavol Demitra, Minnesota Wild
33-years-old, shoots left (W)

If Demitra could stay healthy, he would certainly be ranked higher amongst this group. Demitra is a world class talent, however, he spends a lot of time out of the lineup, or playing through injuries which reduce his effectiveness. There is no denying his skill set though, and as an added bonus, his ability to play either center or wing.

Prior Salary - $4.5 million
Projected Salary – $4.0 million
Projected Team – Vancouver Canucks

5. Peter Forsberg, Colorado Avalanche
34-years-old , shoots left

A healthy Forsberg would be a phenomenal addition to any team. Unfortunately I think we have seen the last of a "healthy Forsberg." Retirement is a great possibility for this former consensus "best player in the world."

Prior Salary - $1.123 million
Projected Salary – N/A
Projected Team - Retirement

6. Brendan Morrison, Vancouver Canucks
32-years-old, shoots left

Morrison is a decent second line center who can do a little bit of everything. For a team not looking to break the bank or commit to a lengthy deal in terms of years, Morrison would be a solid second tier signing.

Prior Salary - $3.2 million
Projected Salary – $3.0 million
Projected Team – Anaheim Ducks

7. Sergei Fedorov, Washington Capitals
38-years-old, shoots left

Fedorov is no longer the elite player he once was. He isn't even the really good player he once was. However, his smarts, two-way play, and experience are still very much a factor. Fedorov showed after he was traded to the Washington Capitals at the trade deadline, that if surrounded by highly skilled players, he can still be effective.

Prior Salary - $6.08 million
Projected Salary – $3.0 million
Projected Team – Washington Capitals

8. Doug Weight, Anaheim Ducks
37-years-old, shoots left

I am not sure what Doug Weight has left in the tank. For the right team, in the right situation, he can be an effective supporting player.

Prior Salary - $3.5 million
Projected Salary – $1.5 million
Projected Team – St. Louis Blues

9. Bobby Holik, Atlanta Thrashers
37-years-old, shoots right

To some degree, Holik isn't the shutdown center who can contribute offensively, that he once was. However, I have little doubt that he can still be effective if put on the right team, and put in the right situation. You can never have enough guys like Bobby Holik in your lineup, and a team with playoff, or even cup aspirations could benefit greatly from his presence.

Prior Salary - $4.25 million
Projected Salary – $2.0 million
Projected Team – New Jersey Devils

10. Craig Conroy, Calgary Flames
36-years-old, shoots right

Speed, toughness, work on the penalty kill, and leadership is what Conroy brings to the table for an NHL club. He isn't the player he once was offensively, but he can still contribute in this department as well. Considering he could come at a bargain price in a market full of players who will get overpaid, Conroy could be a valuable signing and role player for any NHL team.

Prior Salary - $2.546 million
Projected Salary – $1.75 million
Projected Team – Calgary Flames

The Best of the Rest:

11. Chris Gratton, Tampa Bay Lightning
32-years-old, shoots left

12. Michael Peca, Columbus Blue Jackets
34-years-old, shoots right

13. Josef Vasicek, New York Islanders
27-years-old, shoots left

14. Chris Kelly, Ottawa Senators
27-years-old, shoots left

15. Bryan Smolinski, Montreal Canadiens
36-years-old, shoots right (LW)