NHL Free Agent News: 13 Players We're Shocked Aren't Signed Immediately

With many NHL teams struggling out of the gate this season, it's a bit surprising that certain players have not signed a contract with anyone yet.

Whether a team needs offense, defense or veteran leadership, there are many free agents available who could add solid depth to pretty much any team.

Let's look at 13 players we're shocked haven't signed yet.

Mike Grier

Mike Grier is a good right winger who could bring size and veteran experience to a team, and he's even capable of adding about 20 points for a team.

He expressed interest in possibly returning to Buffalo in the summer, but if the Sabres aren't willing to sign him this season, another team likely will.

John Madden

John Madden would bring Stanley Cup championship experience to a club, and that would be valuable for contending teams lacking veteran experience.

Madden is also a quality faceoff man, and could reach 20-25 points for a team as a third line player.

Steve Bernier

UPDATE: Bernier has signed a minor league contract with the Devils.

Steve Bernier is a good right winger who has the potential to score 15-25 points on the right team. Just three seasons ago he scored 15 goals with 17 assists for the Vancouver Canucks.

Sergei Samsonov

Sergei Samsonov is still a quality left winger, and on a talented team who could score 20-30 points, which would really help a team struggling, like the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Samsonov would also be a good veteran presence and provide playoff experience to a team.

Chris Clark

Chris Clark is a good right winger who would make a fine addition to a team's fourth line as added depth. Injuries could help Clark find a team this season, and he still has about 10-15 points to give.

Even though the Bruins cut him, he should still find NHL work this season.

Michael Nylander

Michael Nylander is a fine center who can still add offensive depth, especially to a contending team. He could also bring veteran leadership and playoff experience.

Nylander would also help a struggling faceoff team.

JP Dumont

JP Dumont is certainly capable of adding 15-25 points for an NHL team this season, and would make a solid depth addition at right wing for most teams.

He scored 10 goals and had nine assists last season with the Nashville Predators.

Patrick Lalime

Patrick Lalime retired this summer, but the veteran goaltender may be persuaded to come back to the NHL if an injury makes a spot available on a team he would be willing to play for.

Lalime would be a decent backup on a team without a proven backup goaltender.

Ales Kotalik

Ales Kotalik is still a decent offensive player who could help a number of teams looking for offense on their third and fourth lines.

Kotalik is capable of 10-15 points, and would bring veteran leadership to a team.

Sean Avery

Sean Avery could find his way back to an NHL team this season if he can convince a club he's a changed man and will behave on and off the ice.

Avery would be a pretty good fourth line player or penalty kill guy for a number of teams.

Eric Godard

Eric Godard would bring toughness and size to any NHL team, and would make a good third or fourth line player.

The Dallas Stars cut him even though they could have used him, and Godard still has enough talent to help a team this season.

Shaone Morisonn

Shaone Morisonn has great size (6'4", 217lbs) and would add toughness at defense for a number of NHL teams looking for depth at the position.

Morisonn would also bring valuable veteran experience to a team.

Todd Fedoruk

Todd Fedoruk would give an NHL team a quality enforcer who would add toughness and veteran experience to the roster.

Fedoruk was strangely cut by the Vancouver Canucks this season, despite the team lacking toughness at forward.

A small team that is struggling that may want to look at him could be the Montreal Canadiens.