These unrestricted free agents could still be a bargain

Nice to see that J.P Dumont and David Tanabe found new homes before the summer ended. Neither was sure where they'd end up after their old teams walked away from arbitration decisions and left them to fend for themselves in the world of unrestricted free-agency.

Anson Carter led the Canucks with 33 goals last season. (Getty Images)

Under most circumstances, getting to the open market is a good thing for NHL players, especially in the rare instances when they are still in their 20s. But by the time Dumont and Tanabe were freed earlier this month, few NHL teams had open roster spots or much cap room. It meant lowered-than-expected paydays for both, and it was an indication of what lies ahead for many of the players out there and still looking for deals.

Heading into the Labor Day weekend, some five dozen jobless unrestricted free agents, many of whom you've never heard of and probably never will, remain available. Some, like 36-year-old Tie Domi and 37-year-old Tom Fitzgerald have hinted they'll retire rather than move to a new city. A few Europeans might go back home to play, and most of the others will either scramble for a job offer they can live with or quietly fade away due to a lack of interest.

What's clear, however, is that a buyer's market now exists instead of the frantic seller's boom in July's opening days of free-agency. Training camp is less than two weeks away, and most teams are more concerned about avoiding holdouts with their own restricted free agents than adding them from elsewhere.

In other words, there isn't anybody out there that teams absolutely have to have, but there are several players who can be worthwhile additions to teams if they come at attractive prices.

Here's a look at 10 who fit that bill (and their ages).

1. Anson Carter, RW, 32: Carter was a bargain for Vancouver last season at $1 million because he had a career year and teamed with the Sedin twins to form the Canucks' best line. It just hasn't translated into the dollars he expected. Not yet, anyway, even though Carter is a good fit for several teams.

2. Brian Leetch: D, 38: Leetch got a $4 million deal from Boston and was thrown into a mess. But injuries and age hindered him as well. He can still contribute in a reduced role and remains effective as the power play quarterback. Last season, he picked up 17 of his 32 points on the power play, including 13 assists.

3. Viktor Kozlov, C, 31: He has never lived up to expectations of a sixth overall pick, but Kozlov has found a way to utilize his size and finesse effectively in supporting rather than scoring roles since getting to New Jersey. His $1.75 million price tag last season was reasonable, but the Devils are capped out.

4. Peter Bondra, RW, 38: At $3.4 million, Bondra was an underperforming luxury for Atlanta, although he did score 21 goals playing fewer than 16 minutes a night. But he can still skate and might help some teams on the power play and maybe the second line.

5. Jason Allison, C, 31: Allison was a major disappointment in Toronto last season, his first on the ice since 2003 because of head and neck injuries. The Leafs signed him for $4.5 million, but Allison looked lost in the new NHL and contributed almost exclusively on the power play. Teams looking to improve that special team might take a look at him.

6. Yanic Perreault, C, 35: Nashville picked up a couple of very good centers this summer and had no more room for a specialist like Perreault, even one who didn't make much over the minimum salary last season. He is one of the best faceoff men in the business.

7. Radek Dvorak, RW, 28: Dvorak can be fragile, and he has never hit the scoring numbers once predicted for him. His best assets remain his skating ability and speed, which make him a very good penalty killer, but it's probably worth less now than the $1.5 million he made last year in Edmonton.

8. Jason Strudwick, D, 31: Strudwick was among the best of the league's minimum wage earners last season, logging about 15 minutes of often overlooked time per game for the Rangers. He's a depth player and a reliable one.

9. Brian Boucher, G, 29: Boucher made a backup's salary of $900,000 last season and didn't have great numbers, so he won't be expensive. He has never come close to duplicating his great rookie season in 2000 but a lot of goalies have been born again on the ice as they near 30.

10. Oleg Kvasha, LW, 27: Kvasha has been an underachiever throughout his career, but at the right price, he can be a useful third-line player. He was paid about $1.2 million last season when he split time with the Islanders and Phoenix Coyotes.