679 game NHL veteran remains desperate to keep career alive during free agency

Getting drafted in the first round by an NHL team doesn't guarantee a place on a roster.

Even when they make it, players must constantly prove they belong and perform if they want to remain in the league.

One would believe a player with over 600 games played in the NHL would be a shoo-in to get signed by a team in free agency, but it appears the interest simply isn't there for former Hawk Calvin De Haan.

The 34-year-old defenseman, drafted 12th overall by the New York Islanders in 2009, is still without a contract for the 2025-26 season.

For the past three seasons, De Haan signed one-year deals near the league's minimum wage, but this year, no team has shown interest as of now.

He remains a great option for teams looking for defensive depth-if not on a standard player contract, then on a professional tryout basis.

Even if his performances declined over the past years, and he tallied eight points, all assists, in 47 games with the Colorado Avalanche and New York Rangers, he finished the season with a decent minus-4 +/-.

Over his 13-year NHL career with the Islanders, Carolina Hurricanes, Chicago Blackhawks, Tampa Bay Lightning, Avalanche, and Rangers, De Haan only had an 82-game season once, in 2016-17 with the Isles, with only three seasons over 70 games.

He showed last season that he can still perform at his age, which could entice teams looking to add depth to their defensive units entering training camp.

If no offer gets sent his way before the start of the season, De Haan could decide to move his career to Europe, play in the AHL, or retire, although the latter scenario appears unlikely.