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Curtis Glencross is hunting.

Bow hunting to be precise, with Whitetail deer the target of choice for this avid western Canadian outdoorsman. The 32 year old also remains on the hunt for a new home in the NHL.

Released from professional tryouts in Toronto and Colorado, Glencross isn't bitter; he understands the business side of the sport and says the evolution of the salary cap is partly to blame as depth players have become the easiest to squeeze.

"I think seven or eight guys will get the money and the rest will go to entry-level players or younger guys which will take the middle class out," Glencross told the Dreger Report.

The veteran forward and father of three will have to be patient, hopeful a job will surface in the weeks ahead after NHL GMs have had time to assess their teams and perhaps, discover a void Glencross might be able to fill.  

The past seven months have been surreal for Glencross.  The whirlwind began in March when he agreed to waive his no-trade clause to go to Washington, ending his time in Calgary - a city and organization him and his family love. With a four-year, $10-million dollar contract with the Flames about to expire, and the promise of potentially bigger riches on the unrestricted free agent market looming, the future looked bright. So what happened?

Glencross remains somewhat baffled. Sure, he's lost a step, but there was interest in the summer and a belief a lucrative offer from the Colorado Avalanche was in the works.

“I really thought I was going to sign with Colorado in the summer,” he said. “I spoke with Patrick Roy on the phone for almost an hour.  He said they wanted to sign a d-man first, so I waited and waited and waited and there was nothing."

Nothing from the Avs and no sense another team was interested enough to provide anything more than a tryout offer.

With Newport Sports - a new representative - leading the search, Glencross accepted the Toronto Maple Leafs offer to fight for a spot on their roster.  A lineup littered with one and two-year contracts provides Leafs management maximum flexibility in an ongoing rebuild.  Toronto was interested in his penalty kill ability, but wanted a player who might also fit among their top six.  Brad Boyes made the cut and Glencross didn't. 

Out of respect, the Leafs released Glencross early in training camp to give him a better chance of finding another spot.  He quickly surfaced in Colorado's preseason where he played two games – well, by his own analysis, with a physical presence and time on the PK. Again Glencross was passed over as the Avs opted to sign winger Jack Skille, also in Colorado on a PTO.

A realist, Glencross recognizes the end may be near. Unless something lucrative comes along, he doesn't see the AHL, KHL or any European interest as a viable option at this stage.

Since his brief experience with the Avalanche, things have gone quiet for Glencross on the hockey front. He now spends his days with his wife, Tanya, and three children, four-year-old daughter Karter, three-year-old daughter Paisley and six-month-old son Stratton, born in Washington during Glencross's time with the Capitals.  His life is busy, his family is happy and Curtis is unafraid of facing retirement, if necessary.

"It's heartbreaking, but there's a plan for us,” he said. “That's the only way to look at it.  I played 10 plus years of pro hockey...it has been a good run. We will wait to see if anything pops up in the next few weeks and we'll make our decision from there."

In the meantime, the hunt continues, literally.  Deer this week and geese and ducks next week. 

 

Robidas facing uncertain future

Maple Leafs defenceman Stephane Robidas may also be facing a harsh reality.  The 38 year old has been hampered by soreness in his leg and groin, the same leg he's broken twice during his career.  Always the gamer, Robidas intends on continuing to try and get healthy over the next few weeks. However, if the leg doesn't respond, he plans on re-evaluating his future.

 

Kopitar, Kings still talking contract

Several days ago, it seemed likely the Los Angeles Kings and star centre Anze Kopitar would have a contract extension in place prior to start of the regular season. Agreeing to an eight-year term was never in doubt, but finding common ground on the money has proven to be more complicated than expected. The two sides continue to negotiate, although amid the Kings ongoing focus on a settlement with Mike Richards, talks to wrap up a mega contract extension with Kopitar have slowed. 

For more on the NHL's top stories and breaking news, tune in to Insider Trading on Tuesday on TSN's Sportscentre and TSN.ca