Pending NHL Free Agents Set to Cash in Big This Summer

It will be several months before the NHL reveals the exact ceiling for the 2015-16 salary cap, but one thing's already certain—just like every year, a crop of unrestricted free agents will get the opportunity to secure some big-money, long-term contracts. 

Veterans like Jaromir Jagr (43), Sergei Gonchar (41) and Martin St. Louis (40) may sign for high dollar values, but their deals will likely be short-term. Players as young as 27 will be the ones who will ink the best deals, earning years of job security as well as a more-than-comfortable wage.

Though high-profile stars like Marc-Andre Fleury, Marc Staal and Nick Foligno have taken themselves out of the free-agent sweepstakes by re-signing with their current clubs, some interesting names remain in the mix.

Some of these players may ultimately opt to stay where they are, but for now here are the players poised to hit some of the biggest jackpots when the free-agent market opens for business on July 1.

Mats Zuccarello: New York Rangers

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Age on July 1: 27

Current Contract: One year, cap hit $3.5 million

2014-15 Stats: 50 GP, 10-21-31

Where He Stands: After leading the New York Rangers with 19 goals and 59 points in his breakout 2013-14 season, Mats Zuccarello more than tripled his salary from $1.15 million to $3.5 million on a one-year contract to take him to unrestricted free agency.

His numbers this season are slightly below last year's pace, but his lightning quickness and dynamic offensive ability should be enough to earn him a multi-year deal for similar money.

"I believe that Mats is a very good hockey player; I would prefer he stay a New York Ranger," coach Alain Vigneault said, per Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News. "I’ve made that very clear to management."

Whether it's in New York or elsewhere, expect to see Zuccarello ink a deal that's no less than three years and $10 million when he signs on the dotted line.

Carl Soderberg: Boston Bruins

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Age on July 1: 29

Current Contract: Three years, cap hit $1.008 per season

2014-15 Stats: 54 GP, 10-23-33

Where He Stands: A late arrival in North America who didn't join the NHL until he was 26, Carl Soderberg is wrapping up his his entry-level deal with solid, if unspectacular, numbers. He's on pace for just under 50 points for a second straight season.

Soderberg's market value is increased by the lack of quality centers available this year. He brings good size at 6'3" and 216 pounds and, at 29, is the perfect age to sign a long-term deal that sets him up for life.

The Bruins won't have cap space to retain Soderberg. Expect to see him cash in on a lucrative five- or six-year deal with a club that's looking to get stronger up the middle.

Devan Dubnyk: Minnesota Wild

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Age on July 1: 28

Current Contract: One year, cap hit $800,000

2014-15 Stats (with Arizona Coyotes and Minnesota Wild): 30 GP, 17-6-3, 2.27 GAA, .924 save percentage

Where He Stands: Last summer, Devan Dubnyk was in the goalie graveyard—salvaging a one-year deal with the Arizona Coyotes after shuffling unsuccessfully through the Edmonton, Nashville and Montreal organizations.

This summer, he could be one of the NHL's most coveted free agents after rebuilding his game in the desert, then putting the Minnesota Wild on his back as the team makes a late charge for a Western Conference playoff spot.

Dubnyk's work this year has earned him a chance at some long-term job security—and a healthy raise. After all the drama they've been through in net over the last couple of seasons, expect to see the Wild make a strong pitch to keep Dubnyk in the fold—likely back in the range of the $3.5 million a year he'd previously made with the Edmonton Oilers.

Paul Martin: Pittsburgh Penguins

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Age on July 1: 34

Current Contract: Five years, cap hit $5 million per season

2014-15 Stats: 45 GP, 2-10-12

Where He Stands: Earlier in the season, it seemed conceivable that the Pittsburgh Penguins' defensive depth could allow them to trade impending free agent Paul Martin before his contract expires.

The situation has shifted now that Olli Maatta is confirmed to be out for the rest of the season after a second shoulder surgery in less than a year, according to the Penguins' website.

Pittsburgh will need to keep Martin for the stretch run and the playoffs, but will likely need to decide between re-signing him or 32-year-old Christian Ehrhoff, who will also be a free agent. 

Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reiterated at Christmastime that the Penguins plan to re-sign Ehrhoff. That will likely leave Martin looking for a new address next summer. He'll be looking for a deal similar to the one his old defense partner, Brooks Orpik, signed with Washington last summer—five years at $5.5 million.

Justin Williams: Los Angeles Kings

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Age on July 1: 33

Current Contract: Four years, cap hit $3.65 million per season

2014-15 Stats: 52 GP, 15-12-27

Where He Stands: According to TSN's Pierre LeBrun, contract extension talks between Justin Williams and the Los Angeles Kings broke off in mid-January (h/t The Score).

Williams is the reigning Conn Smythe Trophy holder and a three-time Stanley Cup winner with a reputation for stepping up his game in the postseason. His Los Angeles Kings are in a tough spot—tight to the salary cap and currently fighting just to make the playoffs.

Rory Boylen of The Hockey News suggested last summer that Williams could command upwards of $5.5 million a season for a four- or five-year deal on the open market—and that's he's much more than just a clutch Game 7 performer.

If this season goes south for Los Angeles, Kings general manager Dean Lombardi might need take a step away from his commitment to retain his core players. He may not be able to commit to spending upwards of $20 million on Williams—but other teams certainly could. 

Cody Franson: Toronto Maple Leafs

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Age on July 1: 27

Current Contract: One year, cap hit $3.3 million

2014-15 Stats: 53 GP, 6-26-32

Where He Stands: After narrowly avoiding salary arbitration last summer, the Toronto Maple Leafs are struggling to get steady defenseman Cody Franson under contract before he reaches free agency in July.

Sportsnet's Scott Lewis notes that a multi-year offer at $4.6 million a year wasn't enough for Franson to re-sign with the Leafs, according to a report from Elliotte Friedman.

If Franson's determined to leave the Leafs' sinking ship, expect to see him moved to a playoff contender before the trade deadline. On July 1, he'll be in a position to sign a similar deal to the one inked by Matt Niskanen in Washington last summer—seven years at a cap hit of $5.75 million per season.

Johnny Boychuk: New York Islanders

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Age on July 1: 31

Current Contract: Three years, cap hit $3.367 million per season

2014-15 Stats: 44 GP, 4-21-25

Where He Stands: Last October, the cap-strapped Boston Bruins traded Johnny Boychuk to the New York Islanders for draft picks. The move provided immediate salary relief for Boston, and Boychuk was targeted because the Bruins knew they wouldn't be able to re-sign him when he hits free agency this summer.

"Part of my job is projecting the market. And I see where Johnny's market's going, and all the strength to him. He's earned it," Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli told Matt Kalman of NHL.com when he announced the trade.

Boychuk has been a great fit on Long Island, providing solid defense and good leadership as the Islanders aim for not just a playoff spot, but a Metropolitan Division championship.

There's no word yet on whether he'll stay with the team when it moves to Brooklyn next season. Wherever he ends up, Boychuk's value has done nothing but increase this season. Whether he wants big bucks, a long contract term or the chance to play for a winner, he'll be able to write his own ticket as one of the most valuable free agents available this summer.

Contract details from NHLNumbers.com. Stats from NHL.com.