5 NHL Unrestricted Free Agents Your Team Should Sign

With the calendar poised to flip to September, the 2022 NHL unrestricted free-agent market has been picked clean of the best talent. As usual, most of the stars were snapped up during the opening day of free agency July 13.

A few notable players, such as Patrice Bergeron, Nazem Kadri and Phil Kessel, remained available entering August. By month's end, Bergeron had returned to the Boston Bruins on a one-year contract, Kadri had signed a seven-year deal with the Calgary Flames, and Kessel had inked a one-year contract with the Vegas Golden Knights.

Only a handful of available players could prove helpful to teams this season on affordable, short-term contracts. One of them is P.K. Subban, the 2012-13 winner of the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the league's top defenseman.

In this slideshow, we'll explain why Subban and four other players are among the unrestricted free agents who could help address your team's needs. Whether you agree or disagree, feel free to weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section below.

Zach Aston-Reese

Former Anaheim Ducks forward Zach Aston-Reese (Debora Robinson/NHLI via Getty Images)

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 3: Zach Aston-Reese #16 of the Anaheim Ducks skates with the puck on his way to scoring a third-period goal against the Edmonton Oilers during the game at Honda Center on April 3, 2022 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Debora Robinson/NHLI via Getty Images)

After nearly five seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Zach Aston-Reese was traded to the Anaheim Ducks at the March trade deadline. He appeared in 17 games and became an unrestricted free agent after completing a one-year, $1.7 million contract.

Aston-Reese, 28, is a checking-line forward who can skate on either wing. He is not known for his scoring, but his reliable defensive play and experience with the Penguins could make him an option for clubs in need of bottom-six depth.

Playoff contenders with limited salary-cap space, including the Toronto Maple Leafs, could target Aston-Reese if they're seeking an experienced defensive forward who can kill penalties. Rebuilding teams in need of veteran skills, such as the Arizona Coyotes, could also come calling.

Sam Gagner

Former Detroit Red Wings forward Sam Gagner (Gerry Angus/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 26: Detroit Red Wings Winger Sam Gagner (89) in warmups prior to the regular season NHL game between the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs on April 26, 2022 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON.(Photo by Gerry Angus/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Sam Gagner completed his 15th season in 2021-22. The 33-year-old forward needs just 33 more games to reach 1,000 for his career. Coming off a one-year, $850,000 contract with the Detroit Red Wings, he could be a good option for clubs in the market for affordable checking-line depth.

Gagner has seven 40-point seasons on his resume, including a career-best 50 points with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2016-17. He's now well past his offensive prime but has evolved into a reliable bottom-six forward who can play center or wing. Gagner put up a respectable 31 points in 81 games last season with the rebuilding Red Wings.

Stanley Cup contenders could look to Gagner to provide experienced depth like the Colorado Avalanche did last season with Darren Helm. He wouldn't cost much, even for teams squeezed for cap room. He began his career with the Edmonton Oilers, so perhaps a homecoming could be in the offing.

Sonny Milano

Former Anaheim Ducks winger Sonny Milano. (John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 06: Anaheim Ducks left wing Sonny Milano (12) with the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Calgary Flames played on April 6, 2022 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Sonny Milano netted a career-best 34 points last season while skating with Trevor Zegras on the Ducks. The 26-year-old winger became an unrestricted free agent when Anaheim opted not to tender him a qualifying offer. He had completed a two-year contract with an average annual value of $1.7 million.

Milano is a speedy playmaking forward who can skate on either wing. His performance alongside a rising star such as Zegras suggests he can be a decent fit as a top-six winger on a rebuilding club or a depth addition on a deeper club seeking additional scoring on the wing.

On Aug. 7, Sportsnet's Ken Wiebe wrote that Milano would be a solid addition to the Winnipeg Jets as a middle-six forward. The Oilers could also be an option if they address their need for more scoring punch on the right wing.

Evan Rodrigues

Former Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evan Rodrigues (Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)

PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 13: Evan Rodrigues #9 of the Pittsburgh Penguins passes the puck in Game Six of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the New York Rangers at PPG PAINTS Arena on May 13, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)

Last season marked a career-best performance for Evan Rodrigues. Skating with the Penguins, he tallied 19 goals and 43 points in 82 games to finish sixth among their leading scorers. For a player who had never reached 30 points, he proved to be an excellent bargain on a one-year, $1 million contract.

A versatile forward who can play wing or center, the 29-year-old put up most of his points while skating with Sidney Crosby. That demonstrates his offensive effectiveness with the right linemates. He should still prove affordable at around $1.5 million annually on a one- or two-year contract.

Rodrigues could be a fit with the second-year Seattle Kraken to bolster the depth among their top-nine forwards. Rebuilding clubs such as the Ducks or Coyotes could also make use of his services. And CHEK-DT's Rick Dhaliwal reported on the Sekeres and Price podcast Aug. 19 that the Vancouver Canucks were interested.

P.K. Subban

Former New Jersey Devils defenseman P.K. Subban (Christopher Pasatieri/NHLI via Getty Images)

NEWARK, NJ - APRIL 24: P.K. Subban #76 of the New Jersey Devils skates during the second period against the Detroit Red Wings at the Prudential Center on April 24, 2022 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Christopher Pasatieri/NHLI via Getty Images)

The most recognizable name on this list, P.K. Subban was once among the NHL's top defensemen. He won the James Norris Memorial Trophy with the Montreal Canadiens in 2012-13 and was a finalist with the Habs in 2014-15 and the Nashville Predators in 2017-18. He is coming off an eight-year contract with an average annual value of $9 million.

Subban, however, is no longer among the NHL's elite stars, and his days of big-money contracts are over. The 33-year-old has slowed, and his production as a puck-moving rearguard declined over the past four seasons. He failed to reach 25 points in each of his three years with the New Jersey Devils.

Subban did tally 22 points last season while improving his defensive game. He could have value for a club seeking third-pairing depth or an affordable, experienced power-play specialist on a one-year deal. On Aug. 7, the Edmonton Journal's Kurt Leavins reported Subban had continued to be linked to the Oilers.