It has long been one of the Canadian Football League’s managerial commandments, chiselled into stone and religiously adhered to year after year after year.

‘Thou shalt NOT build a team through free agency.’

Yeah, well, about all that…

The official list of pending CFL free agents was released Thursday by the loop’s headquarters, and the trend toward one-year contracts means the collection of talent is as deep as it has ever been, and will most certainly tempt GMs to fill their needs with already-proven talent.

For decades the tried-and-true approach in this league was to simply augment rosters with a couple of big-name free agent pieces who might hit the market, while relying on scouting staffs to unearth talent from Biloxi to Brandon, from Sacramento to Antigonish and all points in between.

But as we already witnessed last year, with a free agent market flowing with all-stars, up-and-comers, and homegrown talent, there are quick-fix, sure-fire ways to fill needs available to those GMs who either out-bid competitors, manage to lure players to contenders, or ink those who were overshadowed or buried on depth charts.

Consider this: of the 217 players on the CFL’s pending free agent list, 21 were just named to either the East or West Division All-Star teams, including Stanley Bryant, T.J. Heath and Chris Randle of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Others – like Edmonton Eskimos receiver Derel Walker, the Bombers’ Travis Bond, Calgary Stampeders bulldozer Jerome Messam and B.C. Lions receiver Manny Arceneaux – have been CFL all-stars before.

There’s more: three of the nine starting quarterbacks in this league – Toronto’s Ricky Ray, Hamilton’s Jeremiah Masoli and Trevor Harris of Ottawa – are also all scheduled to become free agents, as are rising QB stars like Brandon Bridge in Saskatchewan and Edmonton’s James Franklin.

And while there’s a long spell between now and the opening of the market at 11 a.m. CT on Tuesday, February 13^th for players to re-sign with their current clubs –74 days, to be exact – no doubt many of them will be looking for new addresses in just over two months.

The Bombers have 18 pending free agents, second-fewest in the CFL to Hamilton’s 17, while the Eskimos have a whopping 37, no doubt in part due to the massive influx of talent during a year in which they were crushed by injuries.

The challenge here for all CFL clubs is to pick and choose how they attack free agency, knowing that simply opening the chequebook doesn’t work under the restrictions of the salary cap and with other intangibles, like team chemistry, potentially affected by every signing.

The entire prospective CFL free-agent list can be found here, and aside from the Bombers, here’s who popped out at us:

THE QBS

Ricky Ray, TOR: Future hall of famer has hinted at retirement after a season in which he threw for 5,546 yards and 28 TDs while leading the Argos to the Grey Cup.

Trevor Harris, OTT: Tied for the league-lead with 30 TD passes. Earned more than $400,000 last year and REDBLACKS GM Marcel Desjardins would like him back.

Jeremiah Masoli, HAM: Replaced Zach Collaros at QB and then helped lead the Ticats back to respectability while posting career-best passing and rushing numbers.

Brandon Bridge, SSK: Flashed his ability to lead a team in relief of Kevin Glenn this year, but is there a team willing to commit to him as a No. 1?

James Franklin, EDM: The most talked about back-up in the CFL for a couple of seasons now. Rumours have been strong for two years that he’ll end up in Regina with Chris Jones.

Travis Lulay, B.C.: He’s still got game, but coming off another injury. He’s so respected he could be added to a coaching staff and so gifted as an analyst his future may be in TV.

Everett Golson, HAM: Former Notre Dame star was buried on the Ticats depth chart. Threw only four passes last year, completing all of them.

Cody Fajardo, TOR: Very adept at the short-yardage package, the same way Dan LeFevour mastered it here with the Bombers. But hasn’t proven he’s a starter prospect.

Jacory Harris, MTL: Very, very limited duty – 13 of 23 for 160 yards – in Montreal this year for the former Miami Hurricanes star.

Drew Willy, MTL: There might be a place for him as a veteran guy off the bench. Was in an awkward situation in Toronto and a nightmare in Montreal.

DEFENSIVE STAR POWER

LB Larry Dean, HAM: Named the Ticats defensive captain in just his second season and was honoured as the club’s Most Outstanding Player and Most Outstanding Defensive Player this year after racking up 93 tackles.

DE Willie Jefferson, SSK: Arguably the most disruptive defensive force in the CFL. A West Division All-Star with freakish athletic skills.

CB Ciante Evans, CGY: West All-Star and a shut-down corner who led the Stamps with five picks.

LB Kenny Ladler, EDM: The Eskimos Most Outstanding Defensive Player and a West All Star. Sideline-to-sideline playmaker.

DB Jonathan Mincy, MTL: One of the few bright lights in Montreal’s season. An East Division All-Star who was granted his release by the Als on Friday to pursue NFL opportunities.

DB Rico Murray, TOR: Another East Division All-Star who finished third on the Argos tackle list.

DE Alex Bazzie, B.C.: Headed to the NFL before returning to play the final third of the season for the Lions. Has 32 career sacks in just 56 games.

DB Cassius Vaughn, TOR: One of the stars of the Argos Grey Cup win – he was the guy who scooped up a fumble and returned it 109 yards for a TD – Vaughn was also an East All-Star after leading his squad with five interceptions.

DB Jonathan Rose, OTT: Had 53 tackles, 10 knockdowns and two picks. Now has 33 games under his belt and is just 24.

LB Bear Woods, TOR: Led the Argos with 91 tackles, two sacks and four tackles for losses, but he will be 31 in January.

DB Brandon Smith, CGY: Hard to imagine the 33-year-old in any other colours but Stampeder red.

LB Chandler Fenner, B.C.: Underrated playmaker who finished second in tackles for the Lions to Solomon Elimimian at 76.

Matt Nichols (15) of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Chandler Fenner (39) of the BC Lions during the game at Investors Group Field in Winnipeg, MB, on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017. (Photo: Johany Jutras)

OFFENSIVE STAR POWER

WR Brandon Zylstra, EDM: Simply dominant in leading the CFL in receiving yardage (1,687) while finishing with 100 catches. West All-Star is likely to get NFL looks.

Rec Emmanuel Arceneaux, BC.: Veteran (30) pass catcher with three consecutive 1-K seasons under his belt. Has 7,616 yards in eight CFL seasons.

Rec Derel Walker, EDM: Dynamic game-changer who is likely to re-sign with the Esks. Had 634 yards in just eight games this year after a tryout with Tampa Bay.

Rec Duron Carter, SSK: You can’t forget the sideshow stuff that comes with him, but he might be the most gifted receiver in the CFL.

WR/KR Brandon Banks, HAM: The coaching change in Hamilton this summer reinvigorated him and proved he still had some game left. East All-Star.

Rec/KR Diontae Spencer, OTT: So much to like about this versatile player. Set a single-game all-purpose yards record this season and had 71 catches for 922 yards and six TDs en route to being named to the East All-Star team.

RB William Powell, OTT: Finished second to Andrew Harris in rushing (1,026 yards) and was an East All Star despite missing a third of the season.

RB Tyrell Sutton, MTL: Made 14 starts this year, splitting some backfield work with Brandon Rutley, and still managed to rush for 843 yards.

SB S.J. Green, TOR: If the CFL had a Comeback Player of the Year Award, Green would have been a slam dunk this season. His numbers, after coming back from knee surgery: 104 catches for 1,462 yards and 10 TDs.

Rec Luke Tasker, HAM: Even with all the Ticats woes this season and a QB change, Tasker still pulled in 104 passes for 1,167 yards and seven TDs. Has averaged 82 receptions over last four years.

OL Brian Simmons, MTL: Big American made 18 starts at tackle for the Alouettes this year.

Rec Armanti Edwards, TOR: Came close to the 1K mark – he had 83 catches for 962 yards and four TDs.

Rec DeVier Posey, TOR: Another Argo receiver who posted solid totals – 52 catches for 744 yards and seven TDs – and was massive in the Grey Cup.

OL Joel Figueroa, EDM: Made 15 starts for one of the best O-lines in the CFL.

Rec Kamar Jorden, CGY: Lost in the Grey Cup mess – he fumbled late and was called out by teammate Marquay McDaniel – is how well he played in that game and how classy he was in defeat.

WR DaVaris Daniels, CGY: Excellent numbers in 24 games over two seasons with the Stamps: 98 catches for 1,628 yards and 13 TDs. Former Notre Dame star is drawing NFL interest.

Toronto Argonauts SB S.J. Green jumps to make a catch during first quarter CFL action between the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Argonauts in Winnipeg on Thursday, July 13, 2017. (CFL PHOTO – Jason Halstead)

THE SPECIALISTS

K Brett Maher, OTT: Hit on 82 percent of his attempts and finished second with a 46.7-yard punting average.

K Boris Bede, MTL: He’s got a big leg, but can be erratic. His year-by-year FG percentage: 90, 52.4, 82.9.

KR Roy Finch, GCY: Named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Special Teams Player in 2017. Instant field position on returns. Another Stamp who is getting looks from down south.

K Lirim Hajrullahu, TOR: Finished third in the CFL in scoring and connected on 81 per cent of his field goals. Also handles punting chores.

K Sean Whyte, EDM: Was injured for a chunk of this season, but was 15 of 16 in field goals and is one of the most accurate kickers in CFL history.

THE CANADIANS

DT Cleyon Laing, TOR: He’s only 27 and had five sacks in just 11 games this year.

OL Cody Husband, B.C.: Massive (6-7, 307) six-year vet was named the Lions top O-lineman.

DT Zack Evans, OTT: The big former Regina Thunder star just gets after it. Started 18 games in 2017 and has averaged six sacks over the last three years.

WR Jake Harty, OTT: Made just seven starts this year, but there’s something about his game that appeals.

OL Nolan McMillan, OTT: Made 11 starts for the REDBLACKS.

OL Alex Mateas, OTT: Ottawa’s nominee as the Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman and an East Division All-Star.

WR Shaquille Johnson, B.C.: Named the Lions Most Outstanding Canadian after finishing the year with 30 catches for 521 yards

DT Ted Laurent, HAM: Still dominant tackle who has seven years under his belt but is still just 29.

SB/KR Nic Demski, SSK: Former Manitoba Bisons star was among the CFL leaders in receiving early in the year, but struggled after that and appeared in nine games before being injured.

DE Justin Capicciotti, HAM: He’s 28 and on his fourth CFL team, but does have a knack for getting to the QB with 34 career sacks.

OL Brad Erdos, CGY: Made 18 starts at guard for the Stamps this past year.

LB Adam Konar, EDM: Dressed for 12 games and made 12 starts at linebacker for the Esks.

DB Neil King, EDM: Made 10 starts for the Eskimos at safety.