So Who's Left? Plenty Of Help Remains Available.

nordiques100 writes "Free Agents are continuing to sign on the dotted line as we speak, but there certainly is some talent remaining in the pool of available players.

The frenzy is over but there are teams with some cap space and needs and players looking for work. Whether they will get the kind of money the players who signed July 1st got remains to be seen. But certainly help is available. It just depends on the price.

Centres

Mats Sundin - Back to Toronto? Retirement? Seems to be the only two options unless there is another team he is willing to play for. That appears unlikely.

Joe Sakic - A return to the Avs or retirement is almost certain. But could he, for just one year play at home in Vancouver....where the Olympics are being held and get one last chance at something big before retirement?

Saku Koivu - There should be plenty of interest in the former Habs captain including his old team in Montreal. The Ducks, with Selanne for a year is an attractive option as would playing with his brother Mikko in Minnesota.

Mike Comrie - Comrie will have to take a deep salary cut but he is young enough that he has some miles left on him to contribute in a strictly offensive role.

Robert Lang - Is he healed? Thats the big question. He'd probably like to play one more year to perhaps earn a berth in the Olympics. A likely option is to return to Europe.

Alexandre Giroux - Who is this guy? Well he had over 60 goals in the AHL last season. He has been a career minor leaguer, but may be a cheap option and could surprise.

Todd Marchant - Old but still quick. Can help with leadership and kill some penalties. A return to Edmonton would be great. Or maybe back to his hometown of Buffalo.

Mike Sillinger - His career may be over due to injury. But he would be someone willing to take the minimum to stay in the NHL. Lots of miles on this well travelled veteran.

Michael Peca - Another veteran long in the tooth. May want to latch onto a contender like say San Jose or Philly if he is willing to go cheap.

Manny Malholtra - Big checking centre, still young, can add a bit of offence. Has good size to play a defensive role. At his age, probably in some demand. Toronto would be a good fit. He would help the Habs too with his size. His skating ability would be a nice fit in Edmonton too.

Dominic Moore - Foolishly turned down a fair deal from the Leafs and now will be lucky to recoup those numbers now from anyone. Typecast as a journeyman checking depth centre. Leafs may want him back but only at their price. Nice fit on a young team like the Isles or Florida.

Scott Nichol - Grinding 4th line centre. likely looking for something similar to Steve Begin.

Chris Gratton - Great size and good on faceoffs but speed of the game may be too much for Gratton. Career may be over.

Blair Betts - Quietly he could fit in on several teams. Little skill but can win draws, kill penalties, works hard and knows his role. Has decent size. Would be a fine pickup for the Oilers. The Avs could use the sandpaper. Jersey is a possibility as a replacement for Madden.

Stephane Yelle - Grizzled vet will probably latch onto a contender like Peca.

Joel Lundqvist - Unlike the Sedins who are near equals, Joel is nowhere near the star his twin Hendrik is. He may join his brother in NY or one of the two team Swedens (Van or Det).

Brendan Morrison - Another long in the tooth centre who's best days are well behind him. Time may be up for this veteran.

Jason Williams - Skilled forward would add depth but one of those guys who is good in the AHL but may not be good enough consistently in the NHL. Someone will grab him. Ottawa had interest once.

Radek Bonk - Former top 3 pick, Bonk has size and can win draws. But he can no longer provide any offence. But, Bonk could help a few teams. Atlanta needs help on draws. Tampa maybe to add depth to the bottom 6 forwards.

Jeremy Roenick - Time for JR to begin his career as an Analyst.

Wing

Alex Tanguay - Arguably the best free agent left. Can score a point a game pace, is in his prime and has plenty of experience including a cup ring. Whomever lost out of Gaborik, Cammellari, Havlat will be calling for Tanguay. He could return to Colorado. Maybe Dallas will take a run. The Kings need scoring help. Wouldnt he be a nice fit for that young team.

Alex Kovalev - Magic hands is still available and here a team would get a terrific one on one player. He will be costly. likely over 4 mil per. He would be a great fit on the young Oilers but they are waiting on Heatley. Only a paycut would bring him back to Montreal. He could join Ovechkin in Wash with a paycut as well. He could go to NY.....to the Isles and play with Tavares.

Miro Satan: His NHL career is likely finished but he may go back to Europe and train to be part of Slovakia's entry at the Olympics.

Max Afinogenov - Another great one on one player. He seems poised to take big money in the KHL. He could however take a big discounted 1 year deal in the NHL and try and rejuvenate his career. He could, like Kovalev, do so beside Tavares in NY. He could also flank Lecavalier in TB as they need scoring depth.

Kyle Calder - A player poised to being a casualty like Anson Carter was a couple of years ago. If he doesnt take whatever contract he is offered, he will be playing in the KHL or not at all.

Ales Kotalik - A really underrated player. has good size and a great shot but isnt exactly a finisher. A very useful support scorer for any team. If they can clear cap space, the Flames would be a nice fit as they need depth on the wings behind Iginla. If the Wings clear up space too, he would be an excellent fit as well.

Petr Sykora - Can still score 20 plus goals. Maybe he'll join his former teammate Jason Arnott in Nashville if they cant lure Radulov back.

Rob Niedermayer - Big grinding checking winger will likely find himself back in Anaheim with brother Scott. If not, He is what the Oilers could use. leadership, grit, size. But teams out east would like him too, but it is likely he stays West. He would be a nice vet for a young team like the Blues or Hawks.

Todd Bertuzzi - Still a presence with his size and has good hands but is a bit slow, is poor defensively and can be undiciplined. Another discounted contract could bring him back to Calgary. Could he play for Burke...again?

PJ Axelsson - A super smart defensive player. Has had success with Alfie in Ottawa playing internationally. Yet another who could join the team sweden contingent in Van or Det. Would be a nice checker and leader down in Tampa. There will be interest. Maybe Jersey?

Mike Grier - Big grinding winger, a return to Edmonton may be what both parties need. Buffalo is an option as well.

Taylor Pyatt - A big bodied winger, someone a team like Montreal could use. Anyone really over 6 feet would be a presence with the Habs. After the death of his finacee, maybe time off though is what Pyatt will take before resuming his career.

Dan Hinote - Grinding 4th liner. Could see him going back to Colorado

Travis Moen - Another former Burke player. Could see him join the Leafs. Would help the PK dept.

Tom Kostopoulos - ticketed to the minors or Europe

Dean McAmmond - Retirement. especially after all those concussions.

Stephane Veilleux - A good sized winger, would be a nice fit in Montreal.

Brendan Shanahan - Shanny may return to Jersey. Or why not the Isles for his experience?

Brian McGrattan - recovering in rehab but may resume his career and his role as policeman.

Brad May - Likely headed for retirement but could get one more crack due to his willingness to play it tough.

Andrew Peters - Another tough guy, May be needed in Washington to protect their stars.

Goal

Manny Fernandez - A possible option to backup Price in Montreal but they need a home for Halak first. He is a very solid veteran and proved he can play 25 games or so and be really efficient. Maybe the Hawks if he comes cheap?

Martin Biron - Starting jobs are few and far between now. LA is an option. They're the only team really looking for a starter.

Manny Legace - retirement.

Martin Gerber - Would be a good backup. Would fit in nice back in Anaheim if they could moe Giguere.

Antero Nittymaki - Finland and maybe there can earn a spot at the Olympics

Brent Johnson - Another experienced backup will likely find a job somewhere. Maybe Dallas behind Turco? SJ needs a backup. Jersey?

Andrew Raycroft - Likely to be the next Marc Denis. Minor league goalie.

Kevin Weekes - A very solid veteran backup. Montreal should look at him as he fits that role behind Price better than Halak.

Defence

Sergei Zubov - Old, but may be the biggest impact blueliner left. His skill and saavy will help many teams. The Blues are looking for a PP QB. A return to the Stars though seems the likeliest scenario.

Derek Morris - Morris would be a fine fit for the Sabres. They need a replacement for Spacek who played a ton. Morris isnt as prolific offensively but can really skate and adds grit.

Paul Mara - A big body who can mix it up, add some skill and lots of size. A 3rd pair blueliner, could help a few teams like Nashville, Colorado and Atlanta.

Nick Boynton - A team like Jersey, looking for defence depth could use a guy like Boynton who can play 20 minutes, move the puck ok and play with some edge. All depends on the price. The Ducks may be interested in his grit with Pronger gone.

Francois Beauchemin - A minute muncher. Is arguably the most attractive defenceman available. Still in his prime, can contribute some offence, but adds some grit and 25-30 minutes a night of solid play. Obviously the Burke connection is there. The French connection in Montreal but he sure would look good in Pittsburgh as a missing link on D provided they clear some cap space. Washington too with a couple of salary dumps would welcome him as well.

Phillip Boucher - won his cup, could retire. Looks too slow for today's NHL

Greg Devries - Gritty veteran may be a cheap option to replace Scuderi/Gill.

Darryl Sydor - might be time to hang them up for the classy veteran.

Kyle Maclaren - Spent last year in minors due to cap reasons but could be back in teh NHL next year. Is big and tough. Certainly an option for the champs who lost Gill. The Rangers need some toughness. Habs certainly need to get tougher. The Thrashers with Exelby gone may take a look.

Denis Gauthier - Would be a nice fit in MTL to add a big physical element sorely missing in their lineup.

Dimitri Kalinin - May be destined for the KHL

Francis Bouillon - depth blueliner, will likely be a camp invitee.

Mathieu Dandenault - Experienced swing man would make a fine 21st roster player. Could find himself back with the Wings if he came cheap.

Martin Skoula - Europe. Again, training for the Olympics perhaps.

Andrew Alberts - A team like the Ducks, who lost Pronger, will be interested in his size.

Dennis Seidenberg - Showed shot blocking prowess and may be brought in to play on the 3rd defence pair. Maybe Vancouver as they seek players to makeup the lost minutes with Ohlund gone. The Champs are in need of defence depth. The Rangers too are looking for help in their own end. As are others like the Habs.

Marc Andre Bergeron - This guy can score. Has a great point shot. He is small and not the best defensively but would be a solid PP specialist. The Jackets should make a call. That is exactly what they need. The Avs as well could use a shooter. The Canucks as well, but they may want a more well rounded Dman.

Teppo Numminen - Retirement but he may want to play in the Olympics.

Kurtis Foster - Still young, but coming off serious injury. Will likely have to walk on and earn a job somewhere or get conditioning in the minors.

Ossi Vaananen - going to Europe is the likeliest scenario.

Shane Hnidy - Gritty depth defenceman will probably earn a job somewhere in camp.

Chris Chelios - Wants to play another year but it wont be in Detroit. A return to Chicago would be very interesting. Or another original 6 team like Boston. Out of respect, he should find work somewhere.

There could be plenty of players here squeezed out of the league but while the best of the best available have been signed already, there are still a few gems available through free agency.
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