Best of the rest: Top 5 NHL free agents still available after Day 1

The first day of NHL free agency was indeed a frenzy, with over $300 million in contracts being dished out in the first hour alone.

But teams shouldn't feel bad if they missed out on the big names Friday, as there are a number of serviceable free agents still searching for a new arena to call home next season.

Here are the top five remaining UFAs:

Jason Demers

The Edmonton Oilers and Montreal Canadiens have already been ruled out of the running to sign the former seventh-round pick, but Demers is sure to get a lot of attention as one of the best right-handed defenseman available.

Widely regarded for his defensive play, the 28-year-old scored a career-high seven goals in 62 games last season with the Dallas Stars, and may fetch around $5.5 million per year to take a spot in a team's top four D-men.

Jiri Hudler

Despite a disappointing 46-point campaign this past season, Hudler is only one year removed from a 2014-15 season when he recorded 31 goals and 76 points with the Calgary Flames. He's arguably the most skilled forward still without a team.

Though he was picked up as a rental by the Florida Panthers ahead of the trade deadline, a return to Sunrise appears unlikely. There's been little word of interest in the Lady Byng winner, and the 32-year-old may see a slight pay cut from his previous $4-million salary.

Kris Russell

Another former Star, Russell - like Demers - is bound for a significant raise on the open market with the Canucks, Canadiens, and Maple Leafs all rumored to be interested in his services.

The 29-year-old made little impact with Dallas after a trade-deadline deal from the Flames, but his status as one of the league's top shot-blockers has made him a priority for a number of teams.

Kris Versteeg

If a team is looking to add postseason experience to their dressing room, they should take a long look at Versteeg, who won a pair of Cups with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010 and 2015.

The 30-year-old split last season between the Hurricanes and Kings, racking up 38 points in 77 games. He's a solid depth forward option that has hit the 20-goal mark three times in his career.

Radim Vrbata

Vrbata earned a trip to the 2015 All-Star Game in his first season with the Vancouver Canucks, finishing with a career-high 63 points playing alongside the Sedin twins. His contract year, however, was a huge disappointment.

The 35-year-old managed just 27 points in 2015-16, but his skill is certainly not being ignored with five teams rumored to be in the mix for the Czech winger.

Honorable mentions: P.A. Parenteau, Brandon Pirri, Roman Polak, Luke Schenn, Justin Schultz.

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