The league?s top market, Toronto, won the Grey Cup in November, which is huge considering the Argonauts? struggles into the new millennium.

With stable ownership, however, and the promise of a new stadium by 2007, things are starting to turn around in the T.O.

The same could be said for the Calgary Stampeders, who go to stable and local ownership as well.

This year will be very interesting considering the free agent period is coming up in just a few short weeks.

Here?s a list of names that are sure to garner a lot of attention come February 15th.

Damon Allen, QB: The Grey Cup MVP is 41 years old and a grandfather, but didn?t play like it in last season?s playoffs when he used his experience to lead the Argos to their first Grey Cup in seven seasons. Although he missed seven weeks of the 2004 season due to a torn ACL, Allen still had a solid year with 2,438 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Demetris Bendross, WR: Bendross became the Renegades? go-to receiver late in 2004 when injuries decimated Ottawa?s receiving corps. Aside from his playmaking skills as a receiver, he?s also a dangerous kick returner. He was sixth in the league last season with 2,146 total combined yards and had a 123-yard missed field goal return for a touchdown in 2004.

Henry Burris, QB: After spending a few seasons in the NFL and NFL Europe, Burris returned to Saskatchewan in 2003 and was expected to be Nealon Greene?s understudy in 2004. But Greene suffered a broken leg in the season opener and Burris stepped up after a slow start to lead the Roughriders to the West Division final. He passed for 4,267 yards and 23 touchdowns and also ran for 464 yards.

Jermaine Copeland, WR: Copeland has been the Montreal Alouettes? big play receiver over the past three seasons. The 2004 season was no exception as Copeland was part of a unit that boasted four-1,000 yard receivers. He led the team in receiving yards with 1,154 yards and had 10 receiving touchdowns. Copeland played in 15 of 18 games this past season.

Kevin Eiben, LB: Eiben was one of the main components that aided a solid Toronto Argonaut defense en route to the Grey Cup in 2004. Eiben was one of the most consistent linebackers in the league, starting in all 18 games and was the league leader in solo tackles with 110. He was the team?s selection for Most Outstanding Canadian and was named an East Division All-Star and to the All-CFL first team.

John Grace, LB: After being traded from Ottawa, Grace became the heart and soul of a Calgary defense that was one of the most improved defenses in the league over the course of the season. Grace was the West Division nominee for the CFL?s Most Outstanding Defensive player. He had 53 tackles, seven sacks, and three interceptions, two of them returned for touchdowns.

Corey Grant, WR: If there?s one player that will quietly fly under the radar when it comes to this list of free agents, it will be Grant. Despite playing in ten games, Grant came up huge in the West Division final and became the Roughriders? big playmaker. Grant has been a role player in his time in three seasons in Saskatchewan, but has been known to turn a game around at anytime.

Ed Hervey, WR: In seven seasons as an Eskimo, Hervey has been one of the most consistent and heavily depended upon receivers for Edmonton. Hervey was injured for a good part of the middle of the 2004 season, but still had 629 yards on 53 receptions and six touchdowns. It?s a far cry from 2003, when he had 1,022 yards receiving, but Hervey can still be dangerous when it counts.

Carl Kidd, LB: One of BC?s top linebackers, Kidd had a successful 2004 campaign with 54 tackles and seven sacks, not to mention 64 hits. Kidd has been one of the most consistent performers for the Lions in his four seasons in Vancouver. He has consistently been a team leader in some of the team?s major statistical defensive categories and has been a leader in the locker room.

Mike Pringle, RB: What more can be said about Pringle? Well, take into fact that he?s the league?s all-time leading rusher, winner of two Grey Cups, and a solid running back he was one of the league leaders in rushing again in 2004 with 1,141 yards and eight touchdowns. Pringle also had 445 yards as a pass receiver and a touchdown.