NHL Free Agency: 5 Aging Defensemen for Teams to Roll the Dice On

As we begin to wind down the NHL offseason, most organizations have obtained the pieces they need. However, there still are some experienced names out there who might be worth a contract to a lot of teams.

Calgary took defenseman Scott Hannan (pictured above) off the market Saturday, signing him to a one-year deal. There are still signings to be expected even at this stage of free agency.

Hannan's deal may be the first of several in this coming week as players look to hook up with a team before camp.

Here are five veteran blue liners who may be worth an August contract.

Steve Staios

Staios is 38 and certainly won't command the $2.2 million salary he earned last season in Calgary, for whom he skated in just 39 games.

After two seasons filled with injuries, it may be the end of the line for the 15-year veteran. If healthy, Staios can provide a rugged defensive style. His body may not allow him to do that anymore, but he certainly could provide a cheap veteran presence.

Bryan McCabe

The fact that McCabe is still out there suggests that he hasn't heard an offer he likes.

Again, for the right price McCabe is still capable of skating big minutes and providing leadership to a young team. It just depends on how much of a pay cut the 36-year-old is willing to take.

Shane Hnidy

Hnidy started last season looking for work and caught on with the Bruins in time to join in the Stanley Cup run. Does he have anything left in the tank at 35?

He adds a physical presence despite a lack of speed. He had hoped to draw interest from Winnipeg but no dice.

It may be time for Hnidy to hang 'em up. On a two-way deal, however, he could provide mentoring in the AHL and be a valuable injury call-up.

Craig Rivet

Rivet, at age 36, is not worth the $3.5 million he made last year in Buffalo and Columbus. At a one-year deal for a million or less, he might fit in somewhere.

Rivet is looking like he is going to call it a day in the NHL, as he doesn't appear interested in anything but a one-way contract.

For a team looking for leadership and additional depth at the sixth of seventh defense role, it may be worth a cheap one-year deal.

Nick Boyton

The 32-year-old Boynton is looking for his seventh NHL employer in an 11-year career. Waived by Chicago before the trade deadline, the Flyers picked him up for the remainder of the schedule but don't appear interested in having him back.

Boynton brings energy if not consistency to the ice. To a team desperate for depth on defense, it may be enough to offer a minimum-salary, two-way contract.