NHL Free Agency: 10 Veterans Still Looking for a Home

When the dust of free agency settles, there are often some valuable players left without a job for the fall, and this year's class of unsigned stragglers is certainly no different.

Some well-respected names are currently still searching for which sweater they'll be pulling over their head next season, and some could make a valuable addition to any team looking to shore up a particular position.

Some of these players will wind up attending camps on professional tryouts in fall and still others might find a contract in the late days of the offseason, but whatever happens, some of these guys would be a serious mistake to pass up.

So while the summer months drag on into their final days, let's take a look at 10 of these potential gems that still sit as unrestricted free agents looking for a job come October.

Kyle Wellwood

Kyle Wellwood's big stature found a nice place on the San Jose Sharks third-line for their run to the 2011 Western Conference Finals. However, the Sharks decided he didn't fit their current plans, leaving Wellwood looking for a new job.

Wellwood is a great place to look for anyone looking for a gritty tough forward with a tendency to be a fierce agitator. He also has the benefit of being able to pot the occasional goal or two, scoring five goals in the 35 contests he appeared in last season.

Chris Campoli

The Chicago Blackhawks walked away from Chris Campoli's arbitration award, making the the 27-year-old an unrestricted free agent.

So far, his contract demands have scared away many teams and left him without a job for next season, but if he's willing to dial down his asking price, he could make a great fit for a team that's looking for an up-and-coming blueliner to strengthen their defense.

J.P. Dumont

J.P. Dumont struggled last season, scoring only 10 goals and 19 points, prompting the Nashville Predators to buy out his contract and send him packing.

However, being a six-time 20-goal scorer and aged only 33, Dumont could easily resurrect his lethal offensive form and become a valuable pickup for a team in need of a second-line forward.

I'll be very surprised if he hasn't found a job in the NHL by the start of next season.

Mike Grier

The gritty veteran forward could be a fantastic pickup for anyone looking for a feared and respected player as well as a valuable leader.

At the age of 36, many people are wondering how well he'll be able to keep up in the high-speed NHL; however, last season, Grier posted five goals and 16 points in 73 games, showing he's still got what it takes to play at the game's highest level.

Pascal Leclaire

A former first-round pick in 2001, Pascal Leclaire has struggled with injuries throughout his career, and thus, has never really fully blossomed to his full potential.

That being said, for a number of teams who are looking for a decent backup goaltender or possibly a No. 3 guy to keep waiting in the wings in case of injury, Leclaire could be the answer.

Spending much of the season as the backup to Brian Elliot, Leclaire went 4-7-1 with a 2.83 GAA for the hapless Senators, though in his defense, it's hard for a goaltender to post good numbers when the team in front of you is so bad.

Sergei Samsonov

Sergei Samsonov has never really reached his full potential as a player, but the skilled Russian-born forward 13 goals and 40 points for the Florida Panthers last season.

With GM Dale Tallon's roster overhaul in the offseason, the 32-year-old was left without a job for next season, but could very easily find a home with a team in need of some depth scoring on a third or possibly even second-line position.

Nick Boynton

Another former first-rounder who hasn't quite lived up to his billing over the course of his career, Nick Boynton will have to find a new team this offseason, as the Flyers chose to let him walk away in a series of big roster moves this summer.

That being said, he's hardly a deadbeat player. He's got 11 seasons of NHL experience under his belt and could prove extremely useful to a team looking for a veteran to not only shore up the bottom-pair of their defense, but help lead in the locker room.

Marty Turco

A former All-Star with the Dallas Stars, Marty Turco has been plagued with streaky-ness and inconsistency throughout his career.

Most recently, Turco lost his starting job with the Chicago Blackhawks to Corey Crawford, and now can't find a team to play for at all.

However, for a team looking for a solid veteran to mentor a young, hotshot goaltender while providing a solid and admirable backup, Turco could be the perfect fit.

Plus, he could be one of the gems still out there if he finds a way to resurrect his playing and regain that All-Star form.

Rob Niedermayer

Rob Niedermayer has struggled to find a home since parting ways with the Anaheim Ducks, and now once again is searching for a new place to play next season.

After starting his career as a depth scorer, Rob (younger brother of defensive-legend Scott Niedermayer) has found his place as a shut-down forward who can occasionally score goals of his own while containing some of the best players in the league.

For a team who loves to run a defensive system that relies more on stifling opponents rather than scoring goals of its own, Robby Nieds will be a perfect fit, and at the age of 36, he still has some gas left in the tank.

Chris Drury

It appears as though the former New York Rangers captain just can't escape his reputation as a failed big-budget signing after a short stint that was plagued with injuries and inconsistent play.

That being said, since the Rangers bought out his extremely weighty contract they signed him to in the first place, Drury is yet to find where he will be playing next season.

He's only 34 years old and has a host of NHL experience, making him a great pickup for a team needing a veteran to mentor some of their younger players.

Additionally, if he can rediscover his full potential again (and stay healthy), he could become the threat that once lured the Rangers into offering him a five-year, $7.05 million-per-year cap hit deal.

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