We're in the full swing of the NHL playoff stretch, but this summer's free agent class is definitely worthy of discussion. While several teams will narrowly miss out on this year's playoffs, they could significantly improve their chances next year by inking a top free agent.

Here are this summer's top five free agents.

1. LW Thomas Vanek

Vanek could be a rental in Montreal, as the Canadiens gave up very little to acquire him at the trade deadline. He is a pure scorer who could be a huge help to a team that needs scoring like the Los Angeles Kings, but could also re-sign in Montreal if the price is right (no Carey Price pun intended).

Vanek has spend all of his career up until this season with the Buffalo Sabres, who have been a disaster as of late. He was traded to the New York Islanders earlier in the season, but they turned out to be a huge disappointment this year.

With Montreal, the NHL will get a month (or more) to see Vanek with a legitimate playoff contender for the first time since he was with the Sabres in 2011.

2. C Paul Stastny

Stastny has been a member of the Colorado Avalanche his whole career, but he could very likely be wearing a different uniform next fall.

A consistent offensive player, Stastny has played a big role in Colorado's revival this season, totaling 47 points thus far. He has had the luxury of playing with talented youngsters like Matt Duchene, Gabriel Landeskog and Nathan MacKinnon; but he could still play well with a less-offenively-talented team.

3. G Jonas Hiller

It is probably unlikely that Hiller will leave Anaheim as the trade of Viktor Fasth to Edmonton seemed to be a way of saying that Fasth was the odd-man-out in the Ducks' goaltending trifecta (which also features star rookie Frederik Andersen), but as of now, he is still not signed to an extension.

Hiller would be huge for any contending team with a goaltending problem, especially the Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers or Toronto Maple Leafs; but again, the likelihood of hiim leaving Orange County is not very high.

There is always a chance that the Ducks could part ways with their franchise goaltender and go Andersen's direction, but giving up Hiller would not make much sense for them.

4. RW Jaromir Jagr

There is a possibility that the 42-year-old Jagr could retire, but you would never know by watching him. The legendary Czech is currently the leading scorer for the New Jersey Devils. Crazy, right?

If Jagr can continue to defy his age and chooses to play another season, he could end up being a very valuable asset for anyone who signs him.

Also, if he goes to a team he hasn't played for before, those superfans in Calgary would need to add another member to ther exclusive group. Who wouldn't want to see that?

5. RW Jarome Iginla

Like Jagr, Iginla also continues to defy his age. Sure, he's not the Hart Trophy candidate he was a decade ago, but he has 23 goals and 30 assists this season with the Boston Bruins. Not bad for a 36-year-old.

If Iginla does not win the Stanley Cup with Boston this year, expect him to stay with the Bruins or maybe go to another contender like the Chicago Blackhawks or Anaheim Ducks. If he does finally get his name on the elusive trophy, we could either see him retire and go out on top, or travel back to Calgary and finish his career with the franchise that will retire his number some day.