Notable players remain unsigned

NHL player agent Steve Bartlett said he has had sleepless nights this summer because his out-of-work clients Thomas Vanek and Drew Stafford “are two good hockey players who should be signed by now.”

Vanek, 33, and Stafford, 31, are members of a surprisingly large group of accomplished free agents who remain unsigned primarily because of a leaguewide salary cap crunch.

Bartlett said he is close to landing a deal for Stafford, who had eight goals and 21 points in 58 games with the Winnipeg Jets and Boston Bruins. It’s likely he will take a pay cut from his last contract, which paid him an average of $4.35 million a season.

“I’m waiting to hear from another team to see if they are going to jump in,” Bartlett said.

In recent days, Bartlett said he has talked to three or four teams about Vanek. The winger posted 17 goals and 48 points in 68 games with the Detroit Red Wings and Florida Panthers.

“I think things could change quickly,” Bartlett said. “I think everyone went into hibernation mode for the first three weeks of August and now they are thinking, ‘The season is not that far away. Do we have what we need?’ ”

The salary cap has risen only $6 million over the last three seasons, from $69 million in 2014-15 to $75 million in 2017-18.

“I have great faith in both of them, but they both know they are going to end up with a oneyear deal,” Bartlett said. “The hope will be that their teams will say, ‘What a great bargain we got,’ and come back and say we would like to extend them. But it’s been frustrating.”

Free agent defenseman Francois Beauchemin, 37, did sign with the Anaheim Ducks Monday. But with training camps starting in less than a month, plenty of other veterans are still unsigned.

Right

45: Despite Jagr’s age, he can still provide a spark for a team looking for more offense. He registered 16 goals and 46 points last season with the Panthers, and he is still a modern marvel when it comes to protecting the puck and making plays in the offensive zone.

Right wing Shane Doan, 40: He is known as one of the classiest players in the NHL. Doan can still be a leader while adding grit and perhaps 15 goals to a team. He is considering retirement.

Right wing Jarome

40: After being traded to the Los Angeles Kings last season, Iginla had six goals in 19 games. That’s a 25-goal pace. Like Doan, Iginla can contribute leadership and tenacity.

Defenseman Cody Franson, 30: Advanced statistics say Franson’s contributions are undervalued. He has puck-moving ability.

Right

38: If he doesn’t sign before the season starts, there has been some speculation he could be wooed to play for the U.S. Olympic team.

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