Three under the radar free agents still unsigned

At this point in the off-season, with the dust mostly settled from a July which made two unlikely names both the highest paid defenseman, and the highest paid player period, only to be outdone four weeks later, many are looking ahead to the fall. Especially those with not a dime left to spare in cap space.

That’s not to say there’s not still some quality players looking for their next home, however, and we continue our look into them. Yesterday we evaluated five of the best overall, and now it’s time to consider some younger free agents who are flying under the radar. Although unlikely any make an impact like last year’s Justin Brazeau, coming out of nowhere to score 17 goals for the Penguins, still, the names below offer some intrigue.

Nick Blankenburg – Defense

In a remaining defense class led by John Klingberg and Logan Stanley, teams would be pressed to find a more slick puck mover up for grabs than Nick Blankenburg, 28, your typical highly skilled blueliner held back by his size (5’9″).

Undrafted out of Michigan, he immediately caught on with the Blue Jackets from 2021-24, skating in 55 games and recording 18 points. Landing in Nashville on July 1 two years ago, Blankenburg had to settle for a two-way deal, expected to lead the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals and put up some impressive numbers. Instead he became a regular in the Preds’ lineup over the past two years, totaling 109 games and stepping up production to 21 points in 49 total appearances last season.

Despite finding a home in Nashville and playing a valuable role on the third pairing capable of quarterbacking a second power-play unit, the Michigan native was traded to Colorado at the deadline, fetching only a 2027 fifth rounder. Unable to capture the same role on a loaded Avs team, he played just 12 games in Colorado, recording three points.

It’s hard to tell exactly who has a fit for an undersized #7/8 defender at this point, but Blankenburg’s right-handedness certainly helps matters. Just as Colorado had a use for him to fill out their roster last spring, the Maple Leafs stand out as a team who could use another depth righty, and he’d definitely not break the bank. Finding success in the form of Troy Stecher last season, they might as well take a shot on some competition for Emil Andrae whose offensive tools would mesh nicely with Toronto’s skill up front, whenever he’d find himself in the lineup. Even if he’d have to accept an AHL demotion at least for a certain period, Blankenburg would be a weapon for the defending Calder Cup champions, the Marlies.

Pavol Regenda – Forward

With some of the more well-known forwards on the market capturing interest overseas such as Brandon Saad, it’s a full indication of how dry things are here in August. Amidst not much to choose from, Slovakian winger Pavol Regenda stands out as having some intriguing production at just 26 years old.

Undrafted, Regenda stood out at the 2022 Olympic Games as well as the IIHF World Championships later that year. He signed with the Ducks four years ago, getting into 14 games, notching his first career goal and adding two helpers. Facing the adjustment curve to North America, he spent the rest of the campaign in the AHL. Over the next two years, he gradually slipped into obscurity on the San Diego Gulls, not offering production to suggest he had any meaningful NHL future. Traded to San Jose in January 2025 for who was an older fringe NHLer in Justin Bailey, Regenda turned the corner and immediately made an impact for the San Jose Barracuda. This season he managed to get into 24 games for the big club, unexpectedly scoring nine goals.

It was a winter to remember for the 6’3″ winger, finding the back of the net seven times in his first nine games as a Shark, including a hat trick against Tampa Bay on January 3. Naturally cooling off after that, he became a regular scratch into the spring. Another highlight of his past season was again performing well on the international stage, scoring three goals and five points in six Olympic contests this past February.

A physical presence who might have to settle for a professional tryout agreement, any cash-strapped team needing to add some solid depth would do well in giving Regenda a shot. Montreal stands out with depth roles up for grabs this fall, as well as the Capitals, or even the Islanders if they don’t go for a more shiny pickup like Patrik Laine.