According to an Eastern Conference hockey operations executive, calls to PTO candidates have picked up significantly over the last couple weeks. In many cases, however, agents for players still on the unrestricted free agent market are holding out hope for snagging a one-year contract somewhere before accepting a try-out deal with any team. They are also being selective in looking for PTO fallback options with teams where their client might match a specific need or opportunity.

Two names I've heard a lot in recent days: Nick Cousins and Cal Clutterbuck. Teams are looking to add an agitating and/or physical presence.

Clutterbuck, age 36 with 1,064 games in the NHL under his belt, showed he still had enough in the tank last season to dress in all 82 games for the Islanders. He also brings the heaviness that's back in vogue. Cousins, who is now 31, dressed in 69 regular season games and 12 playoff matches for the Stanley Cup champion Panthers. He's lacking in size and speed but is versatile enough to either play center or left wing and excels at throwing other teams off their game.

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