NHL Free Agency: Dwayne Roloson and Others Who Must Accept Any Offer

There comes a time in every NHL offseason where free agents don't have the luxury of time on their side. When they need a deal—and when they need one quickly. 

That time has come for the 2012 free agents.

There are obviously dozens of players that would accept any offer that they receive; however, there are a select few that have gone through the free-agency period before.

These guys are usually experienced players that don't have much time left in the league. It's important for them to be open to just about any deal.

Here's a look at four of those players that should accept any offer that they receive.

Dwayne Roloson

At this point in his career, Dwayne Roloson offers a veteran presence in the net.

There will be some team that comes along and knows that having a veteran netminder could be the difference between making the playoffs and missing out.

After 16 years in the league, Roloson has the kind of experience and longevity that a team looks for in their veterans. He's a perfect fit for a team that is trying to win now.

A career save percentage of .908 is beyond respectable, but his biggest obstacle will be his advanced age.

Is he past his prime? Absolutely, and there aren't many people out there that would argue that. But is he over the edge? Not quite yet.

He only has a year or two left in the league, but he is still a formidable goalie. Getting an offer will be his biggest goal, and he would be a fool not to sign the first one that comes his way.

Andrew Brunette

Tom Urtz Jr., featured columnist for Bleacher Report, broke down reasons as to why teams might be hesitant to sign Andrew Brunette:

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Andrew Brunette went from scoring 46 points in 2010-11 to scoring 28 points in 2011-12. Brunette experienced a decline in ice time with the Chicago Blackhawks but he will look to rebound in 2012-13 .

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Brunette isn't the most visually pleasing player, but with 733 career points, Brunette knows what it takes to produce in the league. He may have lost a step or two, but he can still guide most of the younger players toward a more promising future.

He needs to understand that he isn't too important in the grand scheme of things, but that he is a good short-term option. Teams aren't beating down his door, but if any of them knock, he needs to be smart and answer by signing immediately.

Petr Sykora

Petr Sykora is an interesting player on this list because his team last year, the New Jersey Devils, are the most likely to offer him a deal. If he does get an offer from the Devils, should he wait to see if other teams offer him more?

Absolutely not.

He is a 15-year veteran, but he's only 35 years old. His 44 points last year were proof that if his game is declining, then it's not going down at a high rate. Sykora has to feel comfortable with the way he is playing.

He should immediately sign with the Devils because New Jersey lost a major chunk of its team with the departure of Zach Parise.

Sykora's skill level is still there, so signing back with the Devils would give him another chance to be one of the more featured players. New Jersey is going to be hungry for points, and Sykora should jump on the opportunity to be able to be a solid contributor.

The NHLPA Signing the New CBA

The NHL Players Association shouldn't rush their decision because what they decide will ultimately influence the next number of years.

On the other hand, the picture above is a perfect example of what people would be missing out on if there were to be a lockout or some kind of shortened season.

People can say what they want, but the NHL has responded beautifully since the last lockout. They have taken steps toward getting new fans while also building their brand.

A setback like this offseason's CBA could hurt the league for the next five or so years. Signing the deal is necessary toward maintaining the league's positive momentum.

Plus, none of us hockey fans want to go another year without hockey.