Former top 10 NHL defenseman hoping his career isn't over

Several unrestricted free agents in the National Hockey League are still waiting for the phone to ring. Jaromir Jagr, Jarome Iginla and Thomas Vanek to name a few, but a former top 10 defenseman is now hoping his career is not over. 

James Wisniewski told The Athletic "he is feeling more like an unwanted free agent than an unrestricted one..."  The 33-year-old blue liner has had no luck in the past few seasons, after he was traded by the Columbus Blue Jackets to the Anaheim Ducks at the 2015 trade deadline. His contract was bought out, he underwent knee surgery and went on to play in the KHL and the American Hockey League.

Although he still practices in Columbus, the phone is not ringing...

“Not even a (training camp) tryout offer,” he said. “It’s been quiet for a lot of guys. One GM said they’d get back to me, but here it is, getting to be pretty late in the summer, and I haven’t heard anything.”

Wisniewski is worried it might be the end of his career, but cannot believe it might be the case. Three seasons ago, he recorded 44 assists and 51 points with the Blue Jackets, which put him top 10 in the NHL among defensemen, ahead of Brent Burns. 

“The thing is, I know I could help a team,” Wisniewski added. “I mean, I’m not looking for $5 million or 30 minutes a night. That’s not gonna happen. But I know could help a team. I just want a chance."

We shall see if a few teams looking to add depth of their blue line might want to give him a shot...