NHL Free Agent Rumors: 10 Free Agents Who Could Get a Midseason Call

Like any other sport, when a new season begins, there are always some players who find themselves in the unemployment line.

Players that have suffered through numerous injuries, disappointing seasons, or are just at the end of their career, teams are unwilling to take such a high risk in signing them.

However, as the season continues and teams have to deal with the expected injuries from an 82-game season, they may have no other choice but to call these players to fill a void.

The players that are ready to come back are hoping to prove to their former teams that they made a mistake in cutting them.

Some are successful, while others continue to show why they were unemployed at the beginning of the season.

Regardless, here are 10 current free agents that could soon get the call to return to the game they love.

Mike Grier

After a season filled with injuries, the Buffalo Sabres decided not to re-sign forward Mike Grier.

Grier, 36, finished the season with only five goals and 11 assists, and showed that he was on the downside of his career.

However, Grier is a leader in any locker room and could get the midseason call if a team calls for veteran experience.

He can be a great depth forward and could still contribute on a team's third or fourth line.

Marty Turco

Marty Turco was originally signed by the Chicago Blackhawks last season to handle the No. 1 starting job until youngster Corey Crawford was ready to take over. Turco got the bulk of the starts in the first two months of the season, but after only winning two of his eight starts in the month of November, Chicago decided that it was time to make the switch.

The 36-year-old soon became a mentor to Crawford and did a nice job, as Crawford helped lead the Blackhawks to the playoffs and almost upset the top-seeded Vancouver Canucks.

However, at the end of the season, the Blackhawks chose not to re-sign Turco and many wondered whether or not this was it for the 10-year veteran. Turco had said that he was not done just yet, and he wanted at least another season in the NHL.

Turco could still contribute as a capable backup and could mentor younger goalies in the league.

J.P. Dumont

Two years ago Nashville Predators wing J.P. Dumont was on fire. The 33-year-old had finished his third season with 60-plus points and was helping lead the Nashville Predators.

However, in the past two seasons, Dumont's stats have dropped significantly. 45 points in 2009-2010 and only 19 last season caused the Predators to cut the 12-year veteran in the offseason.

Dumont still has a lot left in the tank and could contribute to a team that needs a top-line presence. The six-time 20-goal scorer brings a lot of veteran leadership and could help out a young team.

Sergei Samsonov

Sergei Samsonov was one of the players most likely to be traded before last season's deadline. The predictions were correct as Samsonov was shipped to the Florida Panthers in exchange for defenseman Bryan Allen.

In only 20 games, the speedy Samsonov was able to contribute three goals and 11 assists. Combined with his 26 points recorded in Carolina, the 32-year-old recorded his first 40-point season since 2008-2009.

However, in the offseason, the Hurricanes chose not to re-sign Samsonov, and the Russian is without a team at the beginning of the year.

Samsonov showed this season that he can still hang in the big leagues, and if signed by a team that requires him to play big minutes, he could have back-to-back 40-point seasons.

John Madden

John Madden is unfortunately on the wrong side of 35 at 38. The three-time Stanley Cup winner's numbers last season with the Minnesota Wild did not decrease much last season (25 points in 76 games), but the team decided not to re-sign him in the offseason.

Madden is a great leader in the locker room and is a useful penalty-killer and checker on a team's third or fourth line.

However, in the last few years of his career, one wonders if he would choose retirement over another year in the league.

That question was answered on Tuesday when the Vancouver Canucks signed him to a practice agreement with their AHL-affiliate, the Chicago Wolves.

Madden could eventually make it to Vancouver, but this will most likely be his last shot at making an NHL roster.

Paul Mara

For the past couple of seasons, defenseman Paul Mara has had to deal with a lot of injuries. After signing with the Montreal Canadians in 2009-2010, Mara only played in 43 games, finishing with only eight points.

The Canadians decided not to re-sign Mara, and he was signed to a one-year deal with the Anaheim Ducks going into last season. Mara struggled with only two points in 33 games played and was later dealt back to the Canadians before the trade deadline ended.

As the Canadians contended for a playoff spot, Mara contributed four points in 20 games. However, in the playoffs, Mara was a healthy scratch and only played one game because of the impressive play of Brent Sopel.

Mara was cut at the end of the year and is still looking for a home, but the former first round draft pick could still be used as a depth defenseman. He has the size that a lot of teams look for in a defenseman, and he can still skate well for a big man.

He can be effective on both sides of the ice and has no problem clearing out the front of the net. The 32-year-old could get a call if a team is in a pinch and needs second- or third-line defenseman.

Pascal Leclaire

Ever since his NHL-career began in 2003, Canadian goaltender Pascal Leclaire has had to deal with injuries. From a leg injury to a broken cheekbone from an errant puck while sitting on the bench, Leclaire has struggled to stay healthy.

Last season with the Ottawa Senators, Leclaire only played in 14 games because of an ailing hip, and the team finished the season with a top-two tandem that did not include either goalie that started the year.

Leclaire underwent successful hip surgery during the season, but he has yet to recover from it, the main reason he is without a job this season.

However, once the 28-year-old recovers, he could act as a team's backup. Leclaire is an injury risk as he has had more than 40 starts only once in his career but could be a short-term solution for a team in need.

Chris Clark

Back in 2006-2007, Washington Capitals forward Chris Clark had a career year with 30 goals and 54 points. However, since then the 35-year-old has struggled to stay healthy and has only been able to play in more than 50 games just once in the past four seasons.

The former captain spent a bulk of last season with the Columbus Blue Jackets nursing a lower body injury, and the team decided not to re-sign him for this year.

The 11-year veteran was invited to training camp with the Boston Bruins, and even though he had an impressive preseason, the team decided to go in another direction.

When healthy, Clark can contribute to a team that is looking for veteran leadership as well as someone who can contribute on the third or fourth line.

His preseason numbers should attract some potential buyers who have been hurt by injuries to key players.

Fernando Pisani

Fernando Pisani was once a playoff hero for the Edmonton Oilers back in 2006. The Canadian winger scored 14 goals in 24 games as the Oilers came just short of winning their first Stanley Cup since 1990.

Like Clark, Pisani has struggled with injuries for the past few seasons, finishing his last two seasons with Edmonton with 38 games played in 2008-2009 and only 40 the following year.

The Chicago Blackhawks took a chance on the 34-year-old last year, and he was able to play in 60 games for the first time in four years. Pisani delivered 16 points, which was an improvement from last year, but nowhere close to his career highs.

Pisani remains a free agent, but could be signed late in the season. Pisani showed that he can stay healthy for a bulk of the season, and if signed by a playoff contender, could show some flashes of his former playoff hero self.

Bryan McCabe

Last season, one of the most sought after players was Florida Panthers defenseman Bryan McCabe. The 36-year-old still had a powerful shot, and the Panthers were looking to shed his contract as they continued to rebuild.

Before the deadline was up, McCabe was traded to the New York Rangers as they were deep in the playoff race. In 19 games, McCabe totaled two goals and four assists, as well as two assists in the team's first round loss to the Washington Capitals.

McCabe was not re-signed in the offseason, and many believed that this was the end to a great 15-year career.

However, McCabe has hopes to play for at least one more season and could be a big addition for a team's power play. The former captain could also bring veteran leadership to a young team who's defenseman are not quite ready yet.

He may be in the final years of his career, but the man still has one powerful shot that could be a huge help to a struggling team.