2012 NHL Free Agents: Martin Brodeur and Best Unrestricted Goalies Available

This isn't an unbelievable crop of goalies, but depending on what a team is shopping for, there are ways to spend wisely.

Teams aren't in a hurry to turn quality goaltenders loose on the free-agent market, so when they become available, those in need must be aggressive.

The best of the bunch figures to be a man that will go down as one of the best in history.

The legendary Martin Brodeur is an unrestricted free agent and could really help a team that is a goalie away from serious contention. He's an 18-year veteran, and 39 years old, so he isn't a long-term solution.

But if he's viewed as a final piece, he could help push a team over the top.

His goals-against average was 2.41 in 2011 and he recorded three shutouts. Those numbers are a bit down from his career numbers, but he is still solid.

Brodeur is likely headed back to the Devils, but he's worth a look from teams.

Other solid and unrestricted goalies are:

Cristobal Huet

Huet is still under contract with the Chicago Blackhawks, though he's on loan to HC-Fribourg-Gotteron. Huet hasn't played in the NHL since the 2009-2010 season.

He owns a 129-90 W-L record as an NHL goaltender.

He struggled in 2010-2011, but had a solid year for HFG this year with a 1.99 goals-against average.

Huet may not be a top-notch goalie anymore at the age of 36, but he can still be a solid option behind a team's main guy.

Josh Harding

Harding is a solid young goalie. He hasn't had a lot of opportunity playing behind Nicklas Backstrom, but he could be the primary goaltender for some teams in the NHL.

He's only 27 years old, and he had a goals-against average of 2.62 this season. While that isn't mind-blowing, I believe he would Improve with more ice time.

Even better for potential suitors is the fact that he'll come the cheapest of any quality free-agent goaltender on the market.