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Still unsigned, Seidenberg hopeful ‘something comes up’ -- but he wants a contract, not a PTO

Boston Bruins v Colorado Avalanche

Boston Bruins v Colorado Avalanche

NHLI via Getty Images

UFA blueliner Dennis Seidenberg made his Team Europe debut on Sunday in a World Cup exhibition loss to North America, the first step in what he hopes is a path to an NHL contract.

And according to TSN, something might be in the works.

“A few teams are circling,” said the 35-year-old veteran, per Frank Seravalli. The catch, of course, is that Seidenberg wants a contract heading into next season as opposed to a professional tryout.

That contract could be hard to come by.

Seidenberg, bought out by the Bruins in late June, has a lot of miles on the odometer -- nearly 800 games over a 13-year career -- and is just three years removed from a torn ACL/MCL, an injury that seems to have had a lingering affect on his playing abilities.

Though he did return to play all 82 games in ’14-15, the German rearguard missed time with a herniated disc last season and, after recovering, sat as a healthy scratch. It was evident his foot speed and skating had diminished.

Seidenberg did play a handful of games this summer with the German national team, in an effort to stay in shape, but admitted contests against Austria, Latvia and Japan hardly prepared him for the speed and pace of an NHL game.

As for his mental state, Seidenberg said “shock” of his buyout has passed, and he’s prepared to focus on the future.

“I have to go into this tournament, play my game, and hopefully something comes up,” he told the Boston Globe.

It’s tough to see where Seidenberg would fit. One would have to think Edmonton could be in the mix, given the Oilers’ general lack of depth on defense, and Seidenberg’s relationship with former B’s GM Peter Chiarelli. But the Oilers might not be ready to offer up a contract, especially with another veteran -- Kris Versteeg -- already coming to camp on a PTO.

Could San Jose be in the mix? The club lost a veteran depth guy in Roman Polak and Seidenberg does have history with Peter DeBoer, from their time together in Florida.

Whatever the case, it’ll be curious to see if Seidenberg can play his way into a deal with a strong showing at the World Cup. He and Team Europe open tournament play on Saturday against the U.S.