Solid NHL UFA's Still(man) Available

While NHL teams prepare to open training camp, and most of the star unrestricted free agents (or should I say the only star UFA - Brad Richards) have been claimed, it is easy to overlook the fact that there are still some solid puzzle pieces left in the box.

Cory Stillman, at age 38, is unquestionably nearing the end of his NHL career; although we've been saying that for some time now.  A scoring winger, he had 16 points in 21 games finishing out the 2010-11 season with the Hurricanes.  To be effective he will need to find a home on a team where he will be assured a spot in the top six forwards.  For such a team needing a veteran presence on the second line, a salary in the range of $2M would be a bargain on a one or two year deal.

After skipping the 2011 World Championships to rest his knee, Vaclav Prospal is looking for a new contract.  With the Rangers having blown the bank on Brad Richards, it is doubtful they will extend an offer to Prospal.  If the Rangers do not reach out to him, expect Prospal to once again have the motivation to "stick it up somebody's butt" - of course referring again to John Tortorella.  This is a 36 year old veteran who can score, but mostly when put on a stacked line with at least one or two elite offensive talents.  I do not see Prospal having much value to a team, unless he can play alongside their top scorer on the first line.

Nikolay Zherdev the enigmatic Russian winger is anything but a solid pickup for an NHL team, as he has never put things together at the NHL level.  From day one, analysts have drooled over Zherdev, but after so many disappointing seasons of not living up to potential, one has to wonder if the break though will ever occur.  Some team will roll the dice on him.

Alex Kovalev is once again an unrestricted free agent.  Say what you want about him: he disappears in some games, he is old, has been overpaid in years past, his defense is suspect, but even the harshest critics cannot deny the slick hands and premier talent that this man possesses.  He will never be a first liner again, but at the right price (less than $2M on a one year deal) he would be a bargain and provide some secondary scoring.  He also has a Stanley Cup ring.

Bryan McCabe is not a popular name among Leafs fans, but imagine him reuniting with Tomas Kaberle in Carolina.  Combined with Joni Pitkanen, the trio could form one of the more potent threats from the back end in the Eastern conference.  Just remember Bryan, if you're going to take a shot on a goalie, make sure to check what team he is on first.