NHL Free Agency 2011: Ray Emery and the Bargain Deals Still to Be Had

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This year's free agency crop has dwindled tremendously since the beginning of free agency on July 1.

Even before that, there were really only a couple of high-profile names set to become UFAs this summer. In the goal scoring forward department there was Brad Richards first and foremost and few other big names.

On defense, the most high-profile defensemen were quickly re-signed before they could hit the free agent market (Andrei Markov, Kevin Bieksa, Joni Pitkanen).

Once free agency began, the most high-profile names left were scooped up and most of the mid-level names were as well.

However, there are still some quality names available.

Here are the 15 biggest bargains still available.

15. Kyle Wellwood

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Kyle Wellwood returned to the NHL last season after a stint in the Kontinental Hockey League. He eventually joined the San Jose Sharks.

The Sharks don't have a whole lot of cap space left, so Wellwood is probably out of luck and in need of a new team.

There hasn't been a lot of talk surrounding Wellwood, as he isn't a high-producing forward. He only scored 13 points in 35 games with the Sharks.

However, he can add to a third or fourth line and he should come at a bargain price because of it.

Last year, Wellwood had a two-way contract, making $650,000 in the NHL and $120,000 in the AHL. One has to assume he'll garner a similar contract for 2011-12, which could be a good deal looking for a third or fourth liner.

14. Marty Turco

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Marty Turco had a successful career with the Dallas Stars before moving to the Chicago Blackhawks to compete for the full-time job.

He lost out to young star Corey Crawford and won't be back with Chicago this coming season.

While Turco hasn't found a new team yet, he could still add a lot to a team's goaltending. After all, his veteran presence could be beneficial for a young goaltender.

Last season, Turco earned $1.3 million with the Blackhawks and it can be assumed that he'll sign for less in 2011-12, which is a bargain price.

Otherwise, Turco will probably retire and move on to the TV analyst role.

13. Mike Grier

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Mike Grier is another forward still looking for work. He became a free agent on July 1 and wasn't re-signed by the Buffalo Sabres.

Last season, Grier tallied 16 points, a dip compared to his previous numbers.

However, Grier could be a good last minute addition to a team's third or fourth line. Plus, the longer he stays on the market, the more of a bargain he'll become.

Grier earned $1.4 million for 2010-11 and after his production declined, he's sure to come at a much lower price.

12. Brent Sopel

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Defenseman Brent Sopel is still on the market. At 34 years old, Sopel has both the veteran presence and some skill left for a team looking for defensive support.

He has played in both the Eastern and Western Conferences and has one Stanley Cup win (with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010) under his belt.

He's not a high-producing defenseman, but his experience and bargain price should land him a new role in 2011-12.

Sopel earned $2 million last season and should expect less in the coming season.

11. Nick Boynton

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Nick Boynton is another veteran defenseman who is still available on the free agent market.

Boynton has experience in both the Eastern and Western Conferences, as well as winning the Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010.

He most recently was a part of the Philadelphia Flyers organization, having been claimed by them off of waivers in February.

He made $500,000 last season, making him a bargain to round out a team's blue line.

10. Scott Hannan

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Scott Hannan is one of the best pure defenseman still available on the free agent market.

Last season, Hannan played for the Colorado Avalanche and the Washington Capitals. He scored 11 points last season between the two clubs.

For teams looking to bolster their blue line, Hannan is a good choice.

Hannan has been making $4.5 million per season for the past few years and should expect a considerable pay cut.

9. Chris Campoli

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The Chicago Blackhawks recently walked away from RFA Chris Campoli, making him an unrestricted free agent.

The two sides believed that Campoli would be awarded $2.5 million salary in arbitration; however, he won't necessarily make that much on the free market.

Campoli has about six years of NHL experience, playing for the New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators and most recently the Blackhawks.

He made $1.4 million last season and is looking for a pay raise in 2011-12.

8. Jarkko Ruutu

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Jarkko Ruutu is currently a free agent. He has played for the Vancouver Canucks, Pittsburgh Penguins, Ottawa Senators and most recently, the Anaheim Ducks.

At 35 years old, Ruutu's best years are behind him, but he could still add value to a team's third or fourth lines.

He only scored 12 points last year; down from 26 the year before.

Ruutu earned $1.3 million each of the past three years and should expect a smaller salary in 2011-12.

7. Chris Drury

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Chris Drury missed three-quarters of the 2010-11 season and the New York Rangers bought out the rest of his contract because of it.

He has made $7.05 million and was set to earn it again in 2011-12.

Now that Drury's contract has been bought out, he's available for another team to sign.

Once upon a time, Drury was a 50+ point scorer. At 34 years old, he still has a few good years in front of him, if he can remain healthy.

Any team that signs Drury  can afford to pay him a much smaller contract, as there hasn't seemed to be much interest in him.

6. J.P. Dumont

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The Nashville Predators bought out J.P. Dumont this offseason. Dumont has been making $4 million per season and was set to make the same amount in 2011-12.

Dumont only scored 19 points in 2010-11; down from 45 points the previous season.

At 33, he could still have a few good years in front of him and rebound back to his pre-2010-11 numbers.

Since Dumont has been bought out and his production has been down, a team could get him at a very affordable price.

5. Cory Stillman

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Cory Stillman is another free agent forward that is still available. That is kind of surprising considering the veteran leadership Stillman brings to the table.

He has won two Stanley Cups, with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004 and the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006.

Stillman is 37 years old and has seen his point production drop considerably in the past few seasons.

However, his veteran presence could be priceless and could be very beneficial for some young teams looking to become contenders for years to come.

He has made $3.5 million the past few seasons and will have to take a significant pay cut in 2011-12.

4. Bryan McCabe

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At the trade deadline last season, Bryan McCabe was a highly-sought after defenseman, particularly because of his power play prowess.

McCabe was traded to the New York Rangers, but didn't perform as well as they may have hoped and so he is still available on the free agent market.

He is good on the power play and he also has leadership experience to add to a dressing room.

McCabe made $4.15 million last season and should look to take a pay cut to find a new home.

3. Alex Kovalev

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The Pittsburgh Penguins traded for Alex Kovalev at the trade deadline last season, hoping that the veteran forward could help produce offense in the absence of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

In 20 games for the team, he only produced seven points.

They decided to not re-sign Kovalev for 2011-12 and he hit the free agent market. He's still available and should find a new home eventually.

At 38, his best years are behind him; however, he can still bring experience to a dressing room.

Kovalev made $5 million last season and will have to take a considerable pay cut for 2011-12.

2. John Madden

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John Madden became a UFA on July 1. While he is 38 years old, he's still a great center and would be a good veteran presence on a team like the Washington Capitals.

He scored 25 points last season, which is a respectable number and two points higher than what he scored the previous two seasons.

Madden earned $1 million last season, so he should come at a bargain price for 2011-12.

His experience could make him a great addition to a young, high-producing line.

1. Ray Emery

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Ray Emery is probably the most surprising name still available about a month into free agency.

He was one of the strongest goaltenders available, aside from Ilya Bryzgalov this offseason.

Emery only played 10 games in the NHL last season, after coming back from a career-threatening injury. That short time span could be what's affecting his status this offseason.

However, in 10 games, Emery helped stabilize the goaltending situation in Anaheim while Jonas Hiller was battling vertigo, with a GAA of 2.28 and save percentage of .926.

He earned $500,000 last season and will still be affordable in 2011-12.

It was announced that Emery will go to the Chicago Blackhawks training camp on a tryout basis, but he's still looking for a contract for next season.