5 other players who could receive PTOs

The Tampa Bay Lightning were the first to kick off the annual professional tryout contract sweepstakes on Wednesday, reportedly agreeing to such an arrangement with defenseman James Wisniewski. And many other teams could follow suit.

Ever since the craziness that was July 1, teams have been quiet, appearing unwilling to risk valuable dollars on players whose best years are behind them.

That silence has left many players who could still have some valuable miles there for the taking.

Here are five who could receive tryout contracts:

Antoine Vermette

Just over a week after his contract was bought out by the Arizona Coyotes, Antoine Vermette remains unsigned.

The 34-year-old has seen his offense drop the past few seasons, but what he lacks on the scoresheet he makes up for in intangibles.

Vermette has a Stanley Cup to his name and remains one of the better faceoff men in the game. He would be a great fit on a young team looking for a veteran presence. And though he might need to prove that he still has game, a tryout would provide the perfect opportunity.

Jiri Hudler

It's hard to believe a player just a year removed from a 31-goal, 76-point campaign remains without a contract heading into next season.

That's the case with forward Jiri Hudler, who, after a career season, put up just 16 goals and 46 points in 72 games split between the Calgary Flames and Florida Panthers in 2015-16.

Hudler saw a drop in production on a Flames team that regressed last season, and never quite found his mark with the Panthers. That aside, he still has a great scoring knack, and can produce at even strength and on the power play.

Radim Vrbata

Radim Vrbata's agent claimed his client was in talks with as many as four teams back in mid July, but nearly a month later, Vrbata appears no closer to a contract.

The 35-year-old is clearly nearing the end of his career, but, much like Hudler, is only a year removed from some fantastic output.

During the 2014-15 season, Vrbata led the Vancouver Canucks with 31 goals, chipping in another 32 assists for a career-high 63 points.

He showed a significant drop in production last season, but considering the Canucks fell from fifth in the Western Conference with 101 points in 2015 to 13th with 75 points, maybe it wasn't all his doing.

Brandon Pirri

Brandon Pirri appears to be another victim of an off year.

The 25-year-old scored a career-best 29 points in a career-high 61 games last season, but saw his goal total plummet.

During the 2014-15 campaign, Pirri proved his pure goal-scoring ability by netting 22 goals in just 49 games. In fact, only Alex Ovechkin and Rick Nash scored more goals per 60 minutes than he did.

Unlike many on this list, Pirri is still young, and, given the right chance in the right environment, he could prove to be a steal.

Cody Hodgson

Cody Hodgson is by far the biggest risk on the list.

The former first-round pick has nearly fallen out of the league after being plucked 10th overall in 2008.

Hodgson hit a career high with 20 goals and 44 points with the Buffalo Sabres during the 2013-14 season - the first year of his six-year, $25.5-million contract. As fate would have it, though, he was bought out at the conclusion of the following season after compiling just six goals and 13 points.

Hodgson failed to stick with the Nashville Predators this past season, with just three goals and eight points in 39 games. However, while playing in the American Hockey League, he managed just under a point per game with 11 in 14 contests.

He is definitely a gamble, but with little to lose and Hodgson likely trying his best to resurrect his career, it might pay off for one lucky team.