Some years, there are genuine difference-makers available in free agency. Guys who can help lift a struggling team into the playoffs, or transform a competitive one into a serious contender and earn themselves a nine-figure contract for doing it.
This, however, is not one of those years.
The crop of unrestricted free agents scheduled to hit the market at noon Wednesday includes more than a few capable players — guys such as Penguins defenseman Paul Martin, Anaheim left winger Matt Belesky and Chicago center Antoine Vermette, among others — but none around whom a team is likely to build.