Top 3 PTO Candidates, After 3 More Sign This Week

While Brendan Smith and Milan Lucic have joined Jack Johnson as three players to sign professional tryouts (PTOs) thus far, there are several more unrestricted free agents who seem like prime candidates for a PTO if they aren't able to land themselves a standard contract.

Jim Parsons of The Hockey News has listed his most likely players to get the invite to an NHL camp. Let's examine three of the names:

Max Pacioretty

The 34-year-old went the PTO route last fall with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and it worked out fairly well for both sides. Although the former goal-scorer wasn't able to contribute much on the scoresheet (or the availability column), he did punish opponents regularly with his most physical season, delivering 105 hits in just 37 games, and contributing a bit offensively as well in the playoffs. He's been tied to the Oilers in some quarters.

Robby Fabbri

As Parsons notes, the former first-rounder has eclipsed the 15% shooting percentage four times in his career, so perhaps, with a talented linemate, he could get close to, or surpass his career high of 18 goals set just two years ago with the Detroit Red Wings. Last season, with Anaheim, he played just 44 games, and had just eight goals. But he has reached double-digits in goals six times in his nine-year career, so he's certainly worth a look-see.

Luke Kunin

The physical center earned himself a shot with a team battling for a playoff spot last season in a deadline trade from the San Jose Sharks to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Unfortunately, he came up with a bagel on the scoresheet in 12 games with Columbus, though he did continue to hit, and finished the season with 187 hits. He's also made it to double-digits in goals five times in his eight seasons, and any team looking for a physical man down the middle in their bottom six could certainly give him a shot.