NHL Free Agency: 11 Best Players Still Available as the NHL Season Nears

As the NHL season nears, teams are still trying to find the finishing pieces to their rosters with opening day a bit over a week away.

There are still some good veteran free agents available who could be the final piece to some team's Stanley Cup puzzle.

There's also some talented restricted agents, such as Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty, who are still unsigned.

Let's look at the 11 best free agents available as we near the new hockey season.

Drew Doughty

Drew Doughy is still a restricted free agent, and for Los Angeles Kings fans, it's now time to panic.

Doughty is likely demanding over $7 million per season, which would make him the highest paid player on the team (center Anze Kopitar is currently the high earner at $6.8 million).

Doughty had a down year statistically last season, but he is still a top young defenseman with great offensive abilities.

It would take at least $7 million for many seasons, including first round draft pick compensation to sign him, but if Doughty remains unsigned leading up to the regular season opener teams may pounce on the franchise defenseman.

He is a building block on defense, and is a leader. Every team wants a player like Doughty. The Kings have to decide whether signing him to what he wants is healthy for the club's financial future. If not, Doughty could be on the move soon.

With that said, it's likely Doughty will remain in Los Angeles because they can't afford to lose him and contend for the Stanley Cup.

Sergei Samsanov

Sergei Samsonov is one of the best talents in the NHL, and can still help a team offensively. The problem is he is lazy and seems to not care at times.

He is likely going to the KHL so he can play in his home country of Russia, but if an NHL team makes him a nice offer, he probably won't refuse.

He can still score goals and help a powerplay.

Mike Comrie

Injuries have hurt Mike Comrie's ability to be a good second or third line winger for a contending team, but if he can show he's healthy, someone will sign him.

He can still score goals and is a good skater.

If his health limits his ability to get on the ice, he could not play hockey, and hang out with his wife Hilary Duff, who is pregnant with their child. Not a bad idea.

John Madden

John Madden is still a great faceoff man, penalty killer, and skater. He could really help a veteran team who needs a veteran presence but needs production out of that player too.

Madden has Stanley Cup championship experience that would help an elite team and a young team.

The Winnipeg Jets and Vancouver Canucks could use someone with Madden's playoff experience and faceoff ability.

Michael Nylander

Michael Nylander had a tryout with the Philadelphia Flyers, but was released this week.

The veteran center was trying to get into a crowded Flyers roster, but there are still other contending teams that could use a center.

Nylander could add leadership and some offensive help to playoff contenders such as the Montreal Canadiens, Vancouver Canucks, or Pittsburgh Penguins.

JP Dumont

JP Dumont still has scoring ability left in him after he was bought out by the Nashville Predators this summer.

He still capable of putting up 30-40 points, and could add some size to smaller teams such as the Vancouver Canucks or Montreal Canadiens.

Dumont, 33, could be a solid second or third line player for a number of teams.

Anton Stralman

Anton Stralman is an offensive defenseman who could still be effective on the powerplay, and brings enough veteran experience to a team.

Defensively however, he's soft and isn't physical enough in his own end, which isn't what you want on the blueline.

He will likely go to the Swedish Elite League if an NHL team doesn't offer him a contract.

Ray Emery

Ray Emery is trying to win a backup job with the Chicago Blackhawks, but if a team's starting goaltender went down with an injury, Emery is more than capable of filling in.

Emery still has the ability to be a dependable goalie, and with his career on the line you can bet he'll be a good teammate and influence in the locker room.

He played very well for the Ducks last season, posting a GAA of 2.28.

Bryan McCabe

Brian McCabe is the typical offensive defenseman, who can be effective at the point during a powerplay.

McCabe still has enough talent left to be a fifth or sixth defenseman on a contender. He scored 28 points last season, and can provide veteran leadership to a young defensive group.

If he doesn't sign before the season, teams will likely offer him a contract near the trade deadline when teams know if injuries will hurt their playoff chances.

Rob Niedermayer

Rob Niedermayer is a veteran with championship experience that could really help a contending team get to a Stanley Cup or a young team with hopes of being a great team.

He scored 19 points last year, and likely could do the same again. He's a smart player, a good passer, and doesn't take dumb penalties.

Niedermayer likely has another season in him before he retires.

Kyle Turris

Kyle Turris has a great amount of talent, but the restricted free agent and the Phoenix Coyotes have yet to work out a new contract.

It would take a good amount of money to sign the young forward, as well as draft picks for compensation, but it seems Turris and the Coyotes are really far apart on what both sides think is a fair deal.

Whether he doesn't want to be in Phoenix, or the team isn't giving him close to what he wants, the relationship between Turris and the Coyotes isn't good at all right now.

Nicholas Goss is a Boston Bruins featured columnist for Bleacher Report and was the organization's on-site reporter for the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals in Boston. Follow him on Twitter for Bruins and NHL news and analysis. Follow @NicholasGoss35