Top 3 unsigned unrestricted free agents (August, 23).

We are deep into the month of August and teams in the National Hockey League still hoping to improve their respective rosters now have a very limited number of ways to do so. Of course there is always the option of making a trade, but with so many teams around the league having similar needs that is often easier said than done.

Thankfully for teams looking to upgrade there are still a number of players that are available on the open market but that list of players is rapidly shrinking, especially when it comes to quality NHL caliber talent.

Today I will look at the Top 3 unsigned unrestricted free agents still available, 2 forwards and a defenseman, and you will quickly see how those options are getting very limited.

#1 Jack Roslovic - Forward

There were rumors circulating for a long time that Roslovic and the Toronto Maple Leafs have some kind of handshake agreement in regards to a new contract, but we are getting very close to training camp and no deal has been signed.

Roslovic is coming off of a strong season as a member of the Carolina Hurricanes in which he recorded 22 goals and 17 assists for a total of 39 points.

Roslovic was on a 1 year deal at the time, one that carried an average annual value and cap hit of $2.8 million, but he will likely be looking at a raise on his next deal. Not only is Roslovic the best forward still available, which should drive up his price, but the salary cap will also be increasing a great deal and $2.8 million isn't going to get a deal done.

#2 Matt Grzelcyk - Defenseman.

Grzelcyk is likely best known for his many years with the Boston Bruins but he is coming off of a big season with the Pittsburgh Penguins that saw him record a career high in both assists and total points. Over 82 games he had 1 goal and 39 assists for a total of 40 points, shattering his previous career high of just 26 points by a considerable margin.

Grzelcyk is also likely headed for a significant raise with his previous contract earning him an average annual value of $2.75 million on a 1 year deal. During his time in Boston Grzelcyk showed that he can be a valuable piece on a contending team and that will make him a valuable commodity to several teams around the NHL.

The only knock against Grzelcyk is that at 5'10 and 180 lbs he may not have the physically imposing style that many teams around the NHL are looking for, especially after the recent success of the Florida Panthers.

#3 Max Pacioretty - Forward.

Pacioretty showed himself to be a capable and punishing forward this past season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, but his achilles heel remains his inability to stay healthy.

There's no disputing the fact that Pacioretty was an impact player for the Maple Leafs, especially during the Stanley Cup playoffs where he had 3 goals and 5 assists for 8 points in only 11 games, but injuries once again limited his play.

Pacioretty only appeared in 37 games during the regular season, putting up 5 goals and 8 assists for 13 points in a limited role, and that is without a doubt the biggest reason he remains unsigned.

Pacioretty did however agree to a relatively cheap deal with the Maple Leafs, a contract that carried an average annual value and cap hit of only $873,770 but a contract that also contained some bonuses. I suspect he will have to accept a similar deal if he wishes to earn another NHL contract before the season begins.

Would you like to see your team sign one or more of these players? Let me know who you think the best value addition would be in the comments.