There are still plenty of players looking for a home, either with the team they played for in 2010-11 or one that has a hole to fill. Many of them will have to settle for tryouts and camp invites to try to earn an NHL job.
Here's a look at some of the top unrestricted free agents still on the market, including a handful of former All-Stars:
FORWARDS | ||||
Player | '10-11 team | '10-11 stats | Skinny | |
Sergei Samsonov | Florida | 78 GP: 13-27-40 | The 32-year-old still has plenty of skill, but he has broken the 50-point mark only once since '01-02 | |
Fernando Pisani | Chicago | 60 GP: 7-9-16 | The 2006 playoff hero with Edmonton stayed healthy enough to play 60 games last season, the most he's managed since 2006-07. | |
Trent Hunter | NY Islanders | 17 GP: 1-3-4 | 31-year-old is coming off a season-ending knee operation; he was traded to Devils in July and promptly bought out | |
Chris Clark | Columbus | 53 GP: 5-10-15 | Former Washington captain, now 35, got an invite to camp with Bruins. He had to find a new home after Jackets opted not to bring him back. | |
Mike Grier | Buffalo | 73 GP: 5-11-16 | Great depth forward and character guy, but after an injury-filled season, how much is left in the tank at age 36? | |
J-P Dumont | Nashville | 70 GP: 10-9-19 | Nashville bought out six-time 20-goal scorer, now 33, after a disappointing season | |
John Madden | Minnesota | 76 GP: 12-13-25 | Still a leader (3 Cups) and useful checker and penalty-killer, but he's now 38 and may retire rather than relocate again | |
DEFENSE | ||||
Player | '10-11 team | '10-11 stats | Skinny | |
Nick Boynton | Philadelphia | 51 GP 1-7-8 | The 1999 first-rounder, now 32, could still be a useful bottom-pair defenseman in the right setting | |
Bryan McCabe | NY Rangers | 67 GP: 7-21-28 | Not the offensive threat he used to be, but 36-year-old still has a big shot and can help a team on the power play. Reportedly has turned down at least one invite in hopes of a contract before camps begin. | |
Jordan Hendry | Chicago | 37 GP: 1-0-1 | 27-year-old depth defenseman went down with a season-ending knee injury in late February. He will go to camp with Minnesota. | |
Chris Campoli | Chicago | 77 GP: 4-17-21 | Hawks walked away from arbitration decision, leaving the 27-year-old former Senator and Islander as an unrestricted free agent | |
David Hale | Ottawa | 25 GP: 1-4-5 | 30-year-old stay-at-home journeyman is among those who will have to scramble for a job | |
Paul Mara | Montreal | 53 GP: 1-5-6 | One-time first-round pick has had a lot of injury problems in the past couple of seasons, but can still be a useful depth defenseman | |
Anton Stralman | Columbus | 51 GP: 1-17-18 | 25-year-old Swede tumbled from 34 points in '09-10 to 18 in an injury-plagued 2010-11 season. He'll go to camp with New Jersey. | |
Jason Strudwick | Edmonton | 43 GP: 0-2-2 | Turned 36 this summer and is staying in shape in hopes of getting an invitation to training camp | |
Steve Staios | Calgary | 39 GP: 3-7-10 | At 38, he's seen his ice time reduced in the last couple of seasons. He still wants to play at least another year but may not find a taker. | |
GOALIES | ||||
Player | '10-11 team | '10-11 stats | Skinny | |
Ray Emery | Anaheim | 7-2-0, 2.28 GAA | Played well in 10 games after recovering from hip surgery, but likely will have to settle for being a backup. He will go to camp with Chicago. | |
Pascal Leclaire | Ottawa | 4-7-1, 2.83 GAA | 2001 first-rounder (Columbus) has been plagued by injuries throughout his career and saw little action for Senators in '10-11 | |
Marty Turco | Chicago | 11-11-3, 3.02 GAA | The former All-Star in Dallas, now 36, was relegated to backup duty in Chicago last season after a poor start and not re-signed. He says he wants to keep playing, but hasn't found a taker yet. | |
Martin Gerber | Edmonton | 3-0-0, 1.30 GAA | The 36-year-old Swiss native spent most of the season in the AHL, but won all three NHL starts for the last-place Oilers |