NHL Playoffs 2012: Zach Parise and Upcoming Free Agents Boosting Their Stock

New Jersey Devils forward Zach Parise is one of many players that are making themselves more money in free agency this summer by playing well in the 2012 NHL playoffs.

The playoffs, especially in hockey, are totally different from the regular season, and general managers want to know which players can handle the intensity of the playoffs before signing them to a massive free-agent contract.

Let's look at three players that are boosting their free-agent stock in the playoffs.

Ray Whitney, Phoenix Coyotes

The "Wizard" has been great in the playoffs thus far, and is one of the primary reasons why the Phoenix Coyotes are going to play in their first Western Conference finals series in franchise history.

Ray Whitney has two goals and four assists in 11 games this postseason, and is giving the Coyotes great leadership on and off the ice.

At 40 years old, Whitney is proving that he can still be a major player on a championship-caliber team.

His performance in the playoffs this year will help him earn a nice contract in the offseason from a contending team, despite his age.

Dustin Penner, Los Angeles Kings

Dustin Penner was a failure for the Los Angeles Kings in the regular season, and proved that the team gave up too much to acquire him via trade with the Edmonton Oilers during the 2010-11 season.

However, he has rediscovered his offensive form during the playoffs and his free-agent stock has drastically risen because of it.

In nine playoff games, Penner has two goals and five assists for seven points. During the regular season, in 65 games, he had seven goals and 10 assists for 17 points. His toughness and physical play have also risen in the playoffs.

Penner already has almost half of his regular-season point total through just nine playoff games this year, and his playoff performance will certainly help him in free agency.

Zach Parise, New Jersey Devils

Zach Parise is the best unrestricted free agent this summer, and regardless of his playoff performance, he was going to make close to or above $7 million per season in his new contract.

However, Parise has boosted his free-agent stock even higher by taking his game to another level in the playoffs.

Here is Elliotte Friedman of CBC's take on Parise from his 30 Thoughts column:

"

Not that he needed to, but Zach Parise increased his UFA attractiveness with a ferocious forechecking performance against Philly. He constantly forced Flyers to turn towards the boards, where New Jersey dominated the entire series. For a great example, look at his goal that puts the Devils up 3-2 in Game 3.

"

Parise has picked up the physicality of his game in the playoffs and has been a force offensively. His leadership skills have also been impressive.

There are going to be many teams interested in signing Parise this summer, especially after the playoffs he's had.

Follow @NicholasGoss35

Nicholas Goss is an NHL Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and was also the organization's on-site reporter for the 2011 Stanley Cup Final in Boston.