As always, the moves were fast and furious on July 1 as several trades were made and free agents found new homes or re-signed with their old teams in preparation for the 2015-16 campaign.
NHL Free Agent Frenzy 2015 Signing Tracker
Though the bulk of free agents inked deals on Wednesday, there are still plenty of free agents available throughout the National Hockey League.
While these players may not be as coveted as they once were and some are coming in on down years, they could provide the right fit for the right teams when the puck drops on the new season on Oct. 7.
Phil Kessel Traded To Pittsburgh Penguins In Multi-player Deal
Here are three top available free agents following all of the movement on Wednesday
Martin St. Louis, Right Wing
St. Louis, 40, started to show his age this past season with the New York Rangers after igniting the team in the Stanley Cup playoffs in the spring of 2014. Though he may not bring the impact he once did, St. Louis is still a veteran with a winning pedigree and a lot of heart for a 5-foot-8 frame.
Though he may retire, St. Louis is still open to returning to the league after scoring 21 goals and adding 31 assists for 52 points in 74 regular season games last season. St. Louis had just one tally in 19 playoff games this postseason and saw his role on the team diminish.
UPDATE: St. Louis has opted to retire, announcing it on Thursday.
Joel Ward, Right Wing
Ward, 34, reportedly has as many as six teams interested in him as he comes in off of a productive year with the Washington Capitals where he was one tally shy of the 20-goal plateau.
One reason to be cautious with Ward is that his numbers dipped in several categories over the past two seasons as he went 19-15--34 in 2014-15, down from his 24-25--49 mark in 2013-14.
Ward also was a minus-4 this season after being a plus-seven in the prior campaign. He had three markers (one game-winner) and nine points in 14 Stanley Cup playoff games this spring.
Johnny Oduya, Defenseman
Oduya, 33, was one of the driving forces on the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks' blue line. Oduya averaged 20:17 time on ice in the regular season, though he only had 10 points off of two goals and eight assists.
The two-time Stanley Cup champion was effective in the playoffs, averaging 24:45 time on ice per game during the Blackhawks' run to a third title in six years and he notched five points in 23 games.
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