Jiri Tlusty was excited.

It was the end of February and the Carolina Hurricanes forward had just been traded to the Winnipeg Jets. Though it meant leaving a city he had called home for the past six years, he was also leaving a team that was out of playoff contention for another that was about to experience the post-season for the first time in 19 years.

“He thought it was going to be a good opportunity,” said Tlusty’s agent, Rick Curran. “But he just didn’t get the opportunity.”

At the time of the trade, Tlusty had 13 goals and 23 points in 52 games. He was on pace for a 20 goals. But while he had been a top-six forward playing alongside Eric Staal and Jordan Staal in Carolina, moving to Winnipeg meant moving down the depth chart.

Tlusty averaged 13 minutes for the Jets — five minutes less than while playing for the Hurricanes — and scored only one goal in the final 20 games of the regular season, then went without a point in the playoffs while playing a bottom-six role.

Had he remained in Carolina and finished with 20 goals, teams might have been interested in him as a top-six forward. But after finishing on the fourth line for a team that was swept in the first round, Tlusty became an afterthought when free agency opened on July 1st.

He is not alone in that regard.

Cody Franson went from being a top-pair defenceman who scored 32 points in 55 games for the Toronto Maple Leafs to scoring just four points in 23 games in a bottom-pair role with the Nashville Predators. Sean Bergenheim managed just one goal in 17 games and no points in three playoff games after being traded to the Minnesota Wild, while Curtis Glencross had one goal in 10 playoff games after getting traded to the Washington Capitals.

“The clubs aren’t crazy. They’re sitting back and they know they don’t have to pay what they had to pay initially,” said Curran. “Cody Franson found himself in the same situation. There’s still half a dozen to a dozen players available who are going to be bargains.”

With training camps set to open in about two weeks, here are some of the top names still available:

Jiri Tlusty, Forward

2014-15 cap hit: US$2.95 million

GP 72 G 14 A 17 PTS 31 (Carolina/Winnipeg)

Going back to Carolina still remains a possibility, but the team has to figure out its internal budget first. In the meantime, Tlusty could be a steal for a team looking for third-line depth. He might not be a true 20-goal scorer, but he is good for 10-to-15 goals.

Cody Franson, Defenceman

2014-14 cap hit: US$3.3M

GP 78 G 7 A 29 PTS 34 (Toronto/Nashville)

You almost have to feel sorry for Franson. Despite putting up respectable numbers, the defenceman always finds himself waiting around in the summer for a long-term contract. There are reports that Buffalo and Boston are interested in the right-shooting defenceman. The question is whether they are willing to offer more than one year?

Sean Bergenheim, Forward

2014-15 cap hit: US$2.75M

GP 56 G 9 A 10 PTS 19 (Florida/Minnesota)

Bergenheim’s numbers might not be impressive, but he looks better when evaluating his advanced stats. A strong possession player who skates well, the 31-year-old could be a perfect depth option for a team like the Oilers.

Curtis Glencross, Forward

2014-15 cap hit: US$2.55M

GP 71 G 13 A 22 PTS 35 (Calgary/Washington)

The 32-year-old recently told the Calgary Sun that he regrets taking a hometown discount to sign with the Flames in 2011 when he was a 20-goal scorer. Indeed, the market has thinned on the veteran forward, whose best years are definitely behind him.

Marek Zidlicky, Defenceman

2014-15 cap hit: US$4M

GP 84 G 7 A 27 PTS 34 (New Jersey/Detroit)

Don’t let his age fool you; the 38-year-old played 84 regular season games after being traded to the Red Wings, where he scored three goals and 11 points in 21 games. A power-play specialist, Zidlicky is a righthanded shot who scored six goals and 20 points with the man advantage.

Scottie Upshall, Forward

2014-15 cap hit: US$3.5M

GP 63 G 8 A 7 PTS 15 (Florida)

The Blues invited the NHL journeyman, who has played for five teams in his career, to camp on a tryout basis. The expectations might not be what they once were. Upshall’s point totals have been trending downwards, but he is still a solid fourth-line option.

Brad Boyes, Forward

2014-15 cap hit: US$2.625M

GP 78 G 14 A 24 PTS 38 (Florida)

A former 40-goal scorer for the Blues in 2007-08, the Panthers bought out the final year of Boyes’ contract after he scored just 14 goals last season. But the 33-year-old forward can still produce. In fact, he had two more points last year than he did in the same number of games in 2013-14.

mtraikos@postmedia.com

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