NHL Training Camp Starting Dates

Believe it or not but NHL players will be hitting the ice in less than a week for training camp. Below we list the starting dates for each club.

Anaheim Sep. 13th
Atlanta Sep. 13th
Boston Sep. 12th
Buffalo Sep. 13th
Calgary Sep. 12th
Carolina Sep. 12th
Chicago Sep. 12th
Colorado Sep. 12th
Columbus Sep.12th
Detroit Sep. 12th
Edmonton Sep.12th
Florida Sep. 13th
Los Angeles Sep. 12th
Minnesota Sep.12th
Montreal Sep. 14th
Nashville Sep. 12th
New Jersey Sep. 13th
NY Islanders Sep. 12th
NY Rangers Sep. 12th
Ottawa Sep. 13th
Philadelphia Sep. 12th
Phoenix Sep. 12th
Pittsburgh Sep. 13th
St. Louis Sep. 15th
San Jose Sep. 12th
Tampa Bay Sep. 12th
Toronto Sep. 12th
Vancouver Sep. 12th
Washington Sep 12th

With most camps opening in the next few days plenty of free agents are still available. Below we list the top five unrestricted free agents available:

Bill Guerin: Guerin skated with the Flyers earlier this month but still remains unsigned. He reportedly wants to remain on the east coast, but at 40 years old, they're not too many options.

Marek Svatos: Once a 30-goal scorer back in 2005, he only notched 7 goals with the Avalanche last season. Spent his entire career in Colorado, so perhaps a change of scenery may do him well. Still only 28 years old.

Owen Nolan: He was one of the top goal scorers for Minnesota last season, even at age 38. Lives in San Jose in the offseason and would love to play on the west coast.

Darcy Tucker: Heart and soul type of player that could give a team a lift on the 4th line even at 35 years old. He scored 10 goals for Colorado last season and battled injuries.

Stephane Yelle: Maybe a reach here as his skills have diminished, but he did win the cup and is a good presence in the locker room.

A few key restricted free agents remain unsigned including Marc Stall, Peter Mueller, James Neal, and Bobby Ryan. Bobby Ryan is the biggest name of the four and from what we have read, contract talks have remained stagnant.

With the Kovalchuk contract finally being approved by the NHL, the New Jersey Devils will need to shed 3 million worth of salary before the season starts. Should be an interesting September.