by Spector

This year's UFA pool was already a shallow one in terms of star power. Thus most of it was snapped up in the opening days.

Gone are Marian Hossa, Brian Campbell, Markus Naslund, Brian Rolston, Wade Redden, Rob Blake, Cristobal Huet, Jose Theodore, Ron Hainsey, Cory Stillman, Andrew Brunette, Brad Stuart, Sean Avery and Darcy Tucker.

Plenty of unrestricted free agents remain available, but available "name" talent is now in short supply. The best available player is Mats Sundin and he's informed teams bidding for his services that he intends to take his time in deciding if he'll retire or return to action.

The Montreal Canadiens and Vancouver Canucks are still believed very interested in Sundin, with the Canucks tabling a two-year, $20 million contract offer, while the Toronto Maple Leafs — his former club — haven't fully closed the door on his possible return.

The Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers are out of the Sundin sweepstakes after their other free agent signings ate up most of their available cap space.

After Sundin the depth in quality forwards drops significantly, with the most notable being Pavol Demitra, Brendan Shanahan, Teemu Selanne, Sergei Fedorov, Michael Peca, Owen Nolan and Brendan Morrison.

Only two years ago these forwards would've been signed during the opening days of free agency, but age, injury or a combination of both has adversely affected their value to where they're no longer considered elite players.

Selanne, Fedorov and Peca could be re-signed by Anaheim, Washington and Columbus respectively and Morrison could be under contract with a new club early this week. Most of the rest could also be signed this week, but at this point in their careers they'll be considered little more than depth signings.

Joe Sakic is also available but the only team he'll consider signing with is the Colorado Avalanche ... and there's talk he could retire. Either way he's not an option for other clubs.

Talented defensemen are also difficult to find, with former Philadelphia Flyer Jason Smith the best available thanks in large part to his performance making life miserable for Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby during the 2008 Eastern Conference final.

Steve Montador is the only other significant standout. Montador, 28, had a career season on a woeful Florida Panthers club with 23 points in 73 games and a plus-minus of +1.

As for the other recognizable blueliners remaining in the UFA market, the best seasons of Bryan Berard, Keith Carney, Sean Hill, Patrice Brisebois, Aaron Miller, Alexei Zhitnik and Teppo Numminen are behind them and most could be facing the prospect of retirement or playing in Europe.

The only notable goaltender remaining is former Ottawa Senator Ray Emery, and his decline last season coupled with reports of attitude issues on and off the ice like make him a tough sell for his agent.

The rest — Johan Holmqvist, J-S Aubin, Jocelyn Thibault and Scott Clemmensen — are strictly backup material and could be looking at employment overseas.