Top three quality names still available in the UFA market.

The summer of 2019 was one of the most highly anticipated National Hockey League offseason periods in recent memory and although it did deliver in some ways, the decision by the players to stagnate the NHL's salary cap really put the crunch on some of the NHL's front office groups. NHL general managers, through their own fault, were left scrambling to work with much less money than they had anticipated having at their disposal and a result a surprisingly large number of unrestricted free agents went unsigned. 

We are now several days into the 2019 - 2020 NHL regular season and that is still very true, although with teams suffering injuries and getting a better feel for their respective rosters we may soon start to see more and more names come off the market. A prime example of this was the recent signing of veteran forward Patrick Marleau, a well established veteran player who exercised patience this summer and eventually got the deal he was hoping to get form his former team, the San Jose Sharks. Marleau is not the only player that is still available on the open market however, so here's a look at the 3 players still on the open market that could legitimately help an NHL team.

#1 Thomas Vanek.

Almost certainly the most talented name on this list, Vanek has had a lengthy career in the National Hockey League. Vanek has appeared in a whopping 1029 NHL games during his career and has recorded 373 goals and 416 assists for a total of 789 career points, and perhaps more importantly he has done it all over the NHL. Vanek has found a way to fit in every system he has been a part of, playing for the Buffalo Sabres, New York Islanders, Montreal Canadiens, Minnesota Wild, Detroit Red Wings, Florida Panthers, Vancouver Canucks, and Columbus Blue Jackets,.

Teams in need of scoring, or teams that have suffered significant injuries at forward would do well to consider him as an option, in spite of his defensive liabilities. 

#2 Brian Boyle.

Like the aforementioned thomas Vanek Boyle boast a wealth of experience and has flexed his skills all across the National Hockey League during his 766 game career. Boyle is a versatile forward and although he lacks the offensive flair that Vanek brings to the table he also lacks his obvious liabilities on defense. A strong two-way player that has logged significant minutes on the penalty kill during his career, Boyle is a solid option for teams who have taken injuries at forward or who merely want to add more depth at the position.

#3 Dion Phaneuf.

That being said it is not hard to believe that a team could envision Phaneuf as a reliable veteran on their third pairing, or even as a 7th defenseman. Like the 2 players before him Phaneuf boasts a wealth of experience and has played in some of the toughest markets in the entire NHL. Phaneuf has 1048 career games under his belt and over that stretch he has recorded 137 goals, 357 assists, for a total of 494 points.