Twenty Former NHLers Vying for a Paycheck

Some NHL players cannot always land a contract.

What do they do? They attend training camp on a pro tryout and hope to display their talent in an effort to win a job—and a paycheck along with it.

Here are 20 former NHL players who are currently in training camp, without the guarantee of a job.

1. Teemu Selanne (ANA)

The Finnish Flash trying out? Think again—the Ducks are over the cap and until they can move Mathieu Schneider, Selanne cannot be signed. However, Selanne doesn't want to miss training camp like last year so here he is, without a contract—albeit with what you may call a "guaranteed" spot.

2. Jeff Friesen (SJ)

Fan-favourite Jeff Friesen is back in San Jose trying to crack their roster.

He is no longer the NHL player he once was, and taking a year off certainly didn't help his cause.

Nonetheless, the Sharks do have roster spots up front and Friesen's good preseason play has led many to believe one of those spots will be his.

3. Bryan Berard (PHI)

One would think the former number-one-overall pick would be the go-to power-play guy on someone's roster. 

Yet, here he is in Philadelphia, trying to win a contract. He did it with the Islanders last year, but with the glut of defenceman already in Philadelphia, one has to wonder if he can do it again.

4. Jassen Cullimore (FLA)

Cullimore was a staple on the Panthers' blueline last year, and his play should have warranted an NHL contract.

However, the offseason trades for Keith Ballard, Bryan McCabe, and Nick Boynton put him out of a job, and a pro tryout is the best he is going to get—from the Panthers at least.

5. Petr Nedved (NYR)

Back on Broadway, Nedved is competing for the fourth-line centre job.

That job is Blair Betts' to lose, with rookie Artem Ansinov providing some good competition. But after he finished with three points in two preseason games, one has to wonder if Nedved can play his way onto the Rangers fourth line.

He has to keep up the strong play though—because one bad game, and he could be out of luck.

6. Jeff O'Neill (CAR)

Heartbreak and two poor seasons with the Maple Leafs led O'Neill to sit out last season.

But he is back in Carolina under Jim Rutherford again, and trying to win a third-line scoring role. The early injury to Justin Williams improves his chances. 

As long as he shows he has something left in the tank, he will be on the Hurricanes' roster come opening night.

7. Kevyn Adams (CHI)

The Blackhawks have an open centre spot, but it is on the second line and Adams doesn't fit that mold.

Adams provides quality checking, penalty killing, leadership, and strong faceoff ability—but with Jacob Dowell taking over the fourth-line centre role, he will have to take those qualities elsewhere.

8. Jesse Boulerice (CHI)

The enforcer who was suspended for that brutal crosscheck on Ryan Kesler is back in the NHL trying to provide some grit and protection for the young Blackhawks stars.

But unless he can beat up both Ben Eager and Craig Adams in practice, he is not needed in the Windy City.

9. Keith Carney (CHI)

In and out of the Minnesota Wild lineup last year, Carney chose to try out to provide a veteran leadership presence to the Blackhawks' young blueline.

That leadership is much needed—but training camp is the only place he will be able to provide it, since there isn't any room for him on Chicago's crowded backend.

10. Alexei Semenov (SJ)

Semenov's arrival makes eight quality blueliners in San Jose, but he has one thing going for him—strong play from last season.

However, he was a favourite of Ron Wilson, who is now in Toronto. 

Unless Doug Wilson is able to move Kyle McLaren, Semenov is out of luck in the Shark Tank.

11. Richard Matvichuk (CBJ)

After two seasons toiling in the minors, the hard-hitting Matvichuk is back on Columbus's blue line.

One has to feel for the former Stanley Cup winner, as the Blue Jackets' blue line is quite crowded—but being a favourite of coach Ken Hitchkock cannot hurt. If Matvichuk proves his leadership and ability to mentor the young kids, he just may be able to crack this lineup.

12. Maxim Kondratiev (NYR)

This one-time prospect has been plying his trade in Russia, but is now back in the Big Apple trying to be the Rangers' seventh defenceman. His biggest competition is Thomas Pock—and that isn't saying much. 

With a strong training camp, he could be on this roster in a hurry.

13. Luke Richardson (OTT)

Richardson did a good job for the Senators last year, and they are hoping he can do a good job for them again this year. But the Senators already have Jason Smith, and are looking for a puck-moving blueliner—not a hard-hitting one.

But if Alexandre Picard, Brian Lee, and Brendan Bell all falter in training camp, Bryan Murray may look to Richardson as the seventh defenceman. With that said, this looks like the end of a long career in the NHL for the former seventh-overall pick.

14. Jim Dowd (PHI)

The penalty-killing faceoff specialist was in a similar position last year, and was able to win a job.

He will face a tougher road this year as the Flyers are banking on youngster Claude Giroux and veteran Glen Metropolit to win jobs on the fourth line.

But Dowd is liked in Philadelphia, and they just may be able to find a spot for him on the roster—albeit likely in the press box as a healthy scratch.

15. Nolan Pratt (DAL)

Dallas already saw Sergei Zubov get injured, and Pratt was a solid option for the Sabres last year.

Expect him to fill the role as the sixth defenceman until Zubov returns, then spend some time fluttering in and out of the Dallas lineup.

16. Brad Brown (PHI)

One has to wonder why Brad Brown chose Philadelphia to try and resurrect his NHL career, considering their glut of NHL-calibre blueliners.

If he isn't released at the end of training camp he may get some consideration to play for the Phantoms—and that is a best-case scenario.

17. Dan Lacouture (CAR)

Lacouture returns from Russia to try and win a spot on the Hurricanes' roster.

His competition is Ryan Bayda and Wade Brookbank, and he will have to show considerable grit and the ability to pot a few goals in order to stay with this squad.

18. Guillaume Lefebvre (EDM)

The AHL and Europe has been where this gritty fourth-liner has been hiding, but he is back in the NHL trying to compete for a fourth-line spot in Edmonton.

He likely won't get it, but if he can continue showing grit and the ability to stand up for his teammates, the Oilers just might offer him a two-way contract.

19. Adam Munro (TOR)

The career backup has just about no chance to make it on the Maple Leafs' roster—but if Cliff Fletcher thinks he is poised enough to mentor Justin Pogge, he may be the Marlie's backup.

That being said, James Reimer would have to really falter in preseason play, so Munro may simply be back on the free-agent market sooner rather than later.

20. Maxime Ouellet (PHI) 

The former first-round pick of Philadelphia was signed to a pro tryout when Antero Niittymaki went down with injury. However, days later the Flyers signed J-S Aubin, so Ouellet's chance to make the roster went out the window.

He will be in a dogfight with Scott Munroe for the Phantoms job—a job that will likely belong to Aubin anyways when Niittymaki returns.