Count on mini free-agent frenzy before NHL season starts Canadiens under the gun to quickly sign P.K. Subban By CHRIS STEVENSON, QMI Agency

The Canadiens will have little time to lock up restricted free agent defenceman P.K. Subban once the new CBA is ratified. (ERIC BOLTE/QMI Agency) NHL UFAs made up of experience and grit Gallery: Top NHL UFAs

So now we all sit and wait while the lawyers do their stickhandling.

With it looking now like NHL training camps won’t open before Sunday and a 48-game regular season getting underway Jan. 19, at least the official end of the NHL lockout and the start of the season is in sight.

It has to be a little tougher for the approximately 90 free agents who are sitting out there waiting to find out when, where or maybe if they will have a job for this season.