Unsigned veteran players can earn a contract with an NHL team by impressing enough during training camp on a professional tryout contract (PTO). Training camps open next month and the regular season begins Oct. 7. The following notable players (listed alphabetically) will be in an NHL camp on a PTO:

Summer’s logjam is slowly starting to breakup with the recent news that Milan Lucic is going to St. Louis on a pro tryout. Brendan Smith will be headed to Columbus on a PTO. And don’t think it escaped attention that 38-year old Jack Johnson has agreed to a tryout with Minnesota last week.

The Oilers have been linked to forwards Max Pacioretty and Klim Kostin, and goalies Ilya Samsonov and Alexandar Georgiev in PTOs by NHL analyst Rob Couch.

Brendan Smith is the last Detroit Red Wings draft pick from 2007 or earlier still active in the NHL. At least he hopes he’ll be in the NHL for another season. The 36-year-old defenseman signed a professional tryout contract Tuesday with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Let's do this! The Cult of Hockey podcast. By the Faithful and for the Faithful. Today Kurt Leavins and David Staples of the Edmonton Journal dig into the McDavid contract, the Oilers being in cap hell, prospect and PTO talk.

Smith spent this past season as a depth defenseman for the Dallas Stars. In 32 games with the Central Division club, he recorded one goal, six assists, 33 penalty minutes, and 41 blocks.

The Montreal Canadiens could unlock the full potential of Ivan Demidov thisseason by turning to his former teammate.The post Canadiens’ PTO Candidate is the Secret to Unlock Ivan Demidov appearedfirst on Heavy Sports.