NHL Free Agents 2011: The 4 Players Who've Lost the Most This Summer

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It is September 1, 2011, which means we are two months into the NHL’s free agency period, and about a month away form the start of the regular season.

Teams and players are trying to position themselves as playoff contenders and sometimes even championship contenders.

Unfortunately, every year many players end up at the short end of deals. The next four slides show the biggest losers of the 2011 off-season.

Chris Drury

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Chris Drury deserves a “Worst Summer Ever” nomination.

The 35-year-old center player went from being the captain of the New York Rangers to a controversial buyout, which led to unemployment, and finally retirement in less than four months.

Drury played a total of 892 and was able to score 615 points (255 goals + 360 assists).

His next stop should be the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Ontario. 

Alex Kovalev

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Alex Kovalev found himself in quite a similar situation.

The forward was unable to find a new NHL team after scoring only two goals in 20 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2010.

However, on July 30, the former Stanley Cup champion signed a two-year deal with the Atlant Mystichi of the KHL. 

Brian McCabe

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Defenseman Brian McCabe is another blueshirt player who has had trouble finding a new club.

The 36-year-old Canadian is still looking for a new home.

So, if you know an NHL team looking for a veteran player with the ability to strengthen its defense, please give McCabe a call. 

Kyle Wellwood

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Kyle Wellwood seems to have déjà vu from his 2010 summer.

Instead of knowing where and for what team he will play, Wellwood is still a free agent. He hopes to sign with his former team, the San Jose Sharks.

Wellwood scored only 13 points in 35 games with the Sharks last season, which was apparently not good enough to earn him a new contract.