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Training camps open league-wide in about a month's time and a bunch of ex-Devils are still looking for work.
Beyond Pete Harrold, who signed a two-way contract in St. Louis, no player that finished last season with New Jersey and hit the open market has found work.
That list includes Scott Gomez, Steve Bernier, Dainius Zubrus, Martin Havlat, Michael Ryder, Marek Zidlicky and Bryce Salvador.
There are some useful depth players in that group but, for the most part, it's not surprising those guys are struggling to find work. Teams have become more hesitant when it comes to handing out contracts to older players - particularly when they don't produce much - and a lot of the names mentioned fit that description.
Zubrus, who was recently bought out, had just 10 points last season while Havlat and Ryder tallied 14 and 19 points while struggling to get in the lineup on a nightly basis. All three could potentially contribute in specialist-type depth roles but it's hardly a surprise that teams aren't lining up for their services.
Zubrus, Havlat and Ryder will probably all be forced to accept training camp invites, head overseas or even retire.
Salvador may not be healthy enough to play and if he is - and wants to return - he'll almost certainly have to accept a camp invite. I doubt any team will give Salvador a contract without seeing him play first.
Gomez showed some signs of life last season and I think he could land a contract closer to the season once teams find out if their young guys are ready for the NHL. Should a team deem a prospect not ready to make meaningful contributions they could bring Gomez in as a stop-gap and I think that's what we'll see when all is said and done.
Despite scoring 16 goals and 32 points in 67 games Bernier is probably in the same situation.
Zidlicky, on the other hand, has reportedly drawn some interest - most recently from the Islanders - and should be able to latch on somewhere after registering 34 points last season.
I'm sure a few of these guys will find work but it wouldn't surprise me if a handful of them have played their last games in the NHL.
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