One week has now passed since the start of NHL free agency. Because of this, the majority of this year's notable unrestricted free agents (UFAs) who hit the market have signed their new contracts. Yet, there are still some players who remain unsigned at this point in the summer. Four of them just so happen to be former Chicago Blackhawks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks] players, so let's take a look at each of them now. JOE VELENO The Blackhawks traded Joe Veleno to the Seattle Kraken in exchange for Andrei Burakovsky late last month. Shortly after, the Kraken bought out Veleno, and no team has signed him since he hit the free-agent market. Yet, when noting that he is a former first-round pick and still only 25 years old, this certainly has the chance to change. Teams looking for help down the middle in their bottom six could consider signing Veleno. In 74 games this past season split between the Detroit Red Wings and Blackhawks, he had eight goals, nine assists, and 139 hits. During his 18-game stint with Chicago, he had three goals and seven points. CRAIG SMITH Craig Smith was traded by the Blackhawks to the Detroit Red Wings at the deadline in the move that brought Veleno to Chicago. Now, just like Veleno, he remains without a contract at this point of the off-season. Teams looking for more experience and overall forward depth could consider signing Smith to a short-term deal. While his offensive numbers have dropped in recent years, he still could be a decent depth player to have around. In 59 games last season split between Chicago and Detroit, he recorded nine goals and 18 points. JAN RUTTA Former Blackhawks defenseman Jan Rutta is still available for the taking. The 6-foot-3 blueliner spent this past season with the San Jose Sharks, where he posted three goals, nine points, 81 blocks, and a minus-3 rating in 53 games. Teams looking for a bottom-pairing, right-shot defenseman could consider signing Rutta to a short-term contract. The veteran blueliner is still a serviceable stay-at-home defenseman, and it doesn't hurt that he has two Stanley Cup championships on his resume. In 80 games over two seasons with the Blackhawks from 2017-18 to 2018-19, Rutta had eight goals, 26 points, and a minus-1 rating. JACK JOHNSON Jack Johnson is another former Blackhawks blueliner who is currently a UFA. The 38-year-old defenseman just completed his 19th NHL season, where he posted six assists and a minus-13 rating in 41 games with the Columbus Blue Jackets. If Johnson elects to continue his NHL career, a team out there could consider bringing him in as an extra defenseman on a one-year deal. However, if he ends up hanging up the skates, the 2005 third-overall pick has had himself a nice career. In 58 games with the Blackhawks during the 2022-23 season, Johnson posted four assists, 75 hits, and a minus-25 rating. Photo Credit: © Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
