Pending NHL Free Agents Most Likely to Be Traded During the 2015-16 Season

With the NHL's 2015-16 season underway, a number of notable players are eligible for unrestricted free agency next summer. While most could be re-signed by their current teams, several are likely to be traded before the Feb. 29 trade deadline.

Different issues will factor into these trades. Some players, like Los Angeles Kings left wing Milan Lucic (pictured above), could prove too expensive to re-sign. A few, like Arizona Coyotes right wing Shane Doan, are in the twilight of their NHL careers. Some, like Calgary Flames goalie Jonas Hiller, could be odd man out with his current team.

Here's a look at the pending NHL free agents most likely to be traded during this season, examining their current contract, recent performance and reasons why they could be dealt.

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Dustin Byfuglien, Winnipeg Jets

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Current contract: Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien is in the final season of a five-year, $26 million contract. The annual salary-cap hit is $5.2 million, and he's earning $6 million in actual salary for 2015-16.

Recent performance: The 6'5”, 260-pound Byfuglien netted 45 points in 69 games last season. Injuries and suspension prevented him from reaching the 50-point mark for the fourth time in five years. In four games this season, the 30-year-old Byfuglien collected three points. He's a heavy-hitting offensive blueliner who logs big minutes and can play at forward if necessary. However, he's prone to defensive breakdowns. 

Why he's likely to be traded: The Jets tend not to spend toward the salary-cap ceiling, so re-signing Byfuglien could prove expensive. While deep on defense, they must also re-sign promising blueliner Jacob Trouba. Left wing Andrew Ladd is likewise a free agent next summer due a substantial raise. Management could choose Ladd over Big Buff.

Shane Doan, Arizona Coyotes

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Current contract: Arizona Coyotes right wing Shane Doan is in the final season of a four-year, $21.2 million contract. The annual salary-cap hit is $5.3 million, and he's earning $4.55 million in actual salary for 2015-16. 

Recent performance: Now in his 20th NHL season, the 39-year-old Doan is clearly on the downside of his long career. While still a well-respected player and leader, the Coyotes captain scored only 14 goals and 36 points in 2014-15, his lowest in a full NHL season since 1998-99. On the offense-starved Coyotes, that was good for third in team scoring. He was held scoreless in his first three games of this season.

Why he's likely to be traded: This season is likely Doan's swan song as an NHL player. With the Coyotes rebuilding with youth, this could be his last chance to be dealt to a Stanley Cup contender. To do so, he must waive his no-movement clause. Despite his declining stats, he could provide experienced depth and leadership to a playoff-bound team this season.

Loui Eriksson, Boston Bruins

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Current contract: Boston Bruins right wing Loui Eriksson is in the final season of a six-year, $25.5 million contract. The annual salary-cap hit is $4.25 million, and he's earning $4.5 million in actual salary for 2015-16. 

Recent performance: After struggling in his first season with the Bruins following a trade from the Dallas Stars, Eriksson rebounded nicely in 2014-15. He netted 22 goals and 25 assists for 47 points in 81 games, finishing second in team scoring. The 30-year-old winger opened this season with two goals in four games.

Why he's likely to be traded: His eligibility for free agency aside, Eriksson might not fit into the Bruins' long-term plans. Following a management change, they shook up their roster with offseason trades. Given their horrible start to this season, more changes could be in the offing as they look to get younger and reduce payroll. 

Jonas Hiller, Calgary Flames

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Current contract: Calgary Flames goaltender Jonas Hiller is in the final season of a two-year, $9 million contract. The annual salary-cap hit and actual salary for 2015-16 is $4.5 million. 

Recent performance: Inconsistency cost Hiller the starter's job with the Anaheim Ducks two years ago, and it continues to plague him in Calgary. While the 33-year-old posted decent numbers last season (26 wins, 2.36 goals-against average, .918 save percentage), he lost the starter's job to backup Karri Ramo in the playoffs. 

Why he's likely to be traded: On Sept. 22, Sportsnet's Mark Spector reported the Flames tried to move Hiller at last season's trade deadline and at the 2015 NHL draft. The Flames opened this season carrying three goaltenders (Ramo and Joni Ortio being the others), which could leave Hiller as the odd man out. 

Milan Lucic, Los Angeles Kings

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Current contract: Los Angeles Kings left wing Milan Lucic is in the final season of a three-year, $18 million contract. The annual salary-cap hit is $6 million, and he's earning $6.5 million in actual salary for 2015-16. 

Recent performance: Lucic's final season with the Boston Bruins was his worst over a full NHL campaign since 2008-09, tallying only 18 goals and 44 points in 81 games. The 6'3”, 235-pounder was dealt last June to the Los Angeles Kings in a salary-dumping deal. Placed on the Kings' top line to open the season, 27-year-old Lucic was still seeking his first point after three games. 

Why he's likely to be traded: It's unlikely the Kings can afford to re-sign him. While carrying over $49 million in cap space for next season, they must re-sign Anze Kopitar, who's also a free agent next July. An expensive raise for Kopitar could leave limited room to pay Lucic a big raise and still retain sufficient space for future signings. If they're out of playoff contention by the trade deadline, Lucic could be shopped.

Kyle Okposo, New York Islanders

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Current contract: New York Islanders right wing Kyle Okposo is in the final season of a five-year, $14 million contract. The annual salary-cap hit is $2.8 million, and he's earning $4.5 million in actual salary for 2015-16. 

Recent performance: Okposo netted 51 points in 60 games last season. If not for an eye injury, he probably would've topped his career high of 69 points. His production, however, tends to be streaky. The 27-year-old is currently skating on the Islanders' second line, collecting three points in his first four games of this season.

Why he's likely to be traded: Approaching unrestricted free agency for the first time, this is Okposo's best opportunity to cash in big, which could price him out of the Islanders market. Ryan Strome, who is 22, has supplanted Okposo on the first line. Stocked with promising and affordable young wingers, the Islanders could use Okposo as a trade chip to address depth needs elsewhere on the roster.

Luke Schenn, Philadelphia Flyers

Matt Slocum/Associated Press

Current contract: Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Luke Schenn is in the final year of a five-year, $18 million contract. The annual salary-cap hit is $3.6 million, and he's earning $3.35 million in actual salary for 2015-16. 

Recent performance: The once-promising Schenn has tumbled down the Flyers' depth chart. Between injuries and healthy scratches, he saw action in only 58 games last season, collecting 14 points. He's only appeared in two of the Flyers' opening four games of this season. 

Why he's likely to be traded: The Flyers are transitioning toward younger and more affordable talent. Schenn, who turns 26 on Nov. 2, clearly doesn't factor into their long-term plans. While his contract is difficult to move this early in the season, the Flyers could offer him to clubs seeking experienced blue-line depth.

Ben Scrivens, Edmonton Oilers

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Current contract: Edmonton Oilers goaltender Ben Scrivens is in the final year of a two-year, $4.6 million contract. The annual salary-cap hit and actual salary for 2015-16 is $2.3 million. 

Recent performance: Given the reins as Oilers starting goalie last season, Scrivens won only 15 of 57 games. His .890 save percentage and 3.16 goals-against average were among the league's worst for starters. With the offseason additions of Cam Talbot and Anders Nilsson, the 29-year-old Scrivens was demoted to the minors. 

Why he's likely to be traded: Scriven obviously has no future in Edmonton. With a large number of teams carrying limited cap space, moving him early in in the season is a challenge. Should a rival club in dire need of goaltending depth come calling at some point, management won't hesitate to trade him.

Eric Staal, Carolina Hurricanes

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Current contract: Carolina Hurricanes captain Eric Staal is in the final season of a seven-year, $57.75 million contract. The annual salary-cap hit is $8.25 million, and the actual salary for 2015-16 is $9.5 million. 

Recent performance: Staal's 23-goal, 54-point effort in 2014-15 was his worst in a full NHL season since his rookie campaign in 2003-04. One reason is the lack of skilled depth on the rebuilding Hurricanes roster. In his first three games of this season, Staal tallied one goal.

Why he's likely to be traded: Sportsnet's Mike Johnston cited Damien Cox reporting Staal and the Hurricanes have put contract talks on hold. He apparently wants to see how the club performs before deciding if a new contract is beneficial to both sides. If the Hurricanes fail to make significant improvement before the Feb. 29 trade deadline, 30-year-old Staal could agree to waive his no-movement clause. 

Cam Ward, Carolina Hurricanes

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Current contract: Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Cam Ward is in the final season of a six-year, $37.8 million contract. The annual salary-cap hit is $6.3 million, and the actual salary for 2015-16 is $6.8 million. 

Recent performance: After being hampered by injuries in the previous two seasons, Ward's numbers improved in 2014-15. He won 22 games while putting up a 2.40 goals-against average and .910 save percentage. The 31-year-old is off to a rocky start to this season, losing his first two games. 

Why he's likely to be traded: The Hurricanes offseason acquisition of Eddie Lack from the Vancouver Canucks suggests he's poised to take over as their starter. With the Hurricanes transitioning to a younger, more affordable roster, Ward could find himself on the trade block later in the season.

All players stats via NHL.com. All salary info via General Fanager.