Marleau among top remaining unrestricted free agents

Here are the best remaining unrestricted free agents, according to NHL.com, after signings began July 1 (listed alphabetically by position):

FORWARD

Patrick Marleau, Carolina Hurricanes
Marleau, who turned 40 on Sept. 15, became a free agent when the Hurricanes bought out the final season of his three-year contract on June 27, five days after they acquired him in a trade from the Toronto Maple Leafs. He had 37 points (16 goals, 21 assists) for the Maple Leafs last season.
Before signing with Toronto on July 2, 2017, Marleau played 19 seasons for the San Jose Sharks, but on Sept. 5, San Jose general manager Doug Wilson ruled out the possibility of re-signing him. Marleau is the San Jose's all-time leader in games (1,493), goals (508) and points (1,082), and has played 788 consecutive games.

RELATED: [NHL Free Agent tracker]

DEFENSEMAN

Dion Phaneuf, Los Angeles Kings
The 34-year-old had the final two seasons of his contract bought out June 15. He had six points (one goal, five assists) in 67 games last season and averaged 15:00 of ice time, numbers that were the lowest of his 14-season NHL career. He's not the offensive threat he once was but could provide veteran leadership in a lower-pair role.

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