Kings vs. Devils: Pending Free Agents with Most to Gain in Stanley Cup Finals

While every player on the ice during the Stanley Cup Finals between the Los Angeles Kings and New Jersey Devils will be playing for the prize of Lord Stanley's Cup, there are several players who will be playing for the additional bonus of a fat, new contract at the end of the season.

It happens on a yearly basis—and this season is no different—as free agents who perform well in the playoffs are often rewarded during the offseason. I doubt that free agency is going to be at the forefront of any particular player's mind, but there is no doubt that they know how far a strong showing in the Stanley Cup Finals can take them.

Here are three players scheduled to become unrestricted free agents this summer who can line their pockets with significantly more cash if they come up big in the Stanley Cup Finals. 

Zach Parise

It is well-known that Devils forward Zach Parise is going to be the hottest name on the market this offseason, and he can earn himself even more money with a great Stanley Cup Finals series.  

Parise is one of the most dynamic offensive players in the league. While he didn't quite live up to expectations, with 31 goals and 69 points during the regular season, he has made up for it during the playoffs. Parise has 14 points in 18 postseason games and is third among all skaters with seven goals.

Parise is even more valuable due to the fact that he is New Jersey's captain and leader. There isn't a single team in the league that wouldn't love to have him. And though he is going to be paid regardless, he has been presented with a great opportunity. With the Devils in financial turmoil and making little progress with Parise over the past year, they may not be able to re-sign him. Some lucky team will get Parise, though, and the price tag may still be growing. 

Jarret Stoll

Although his statistics certainly aren't impressive by any stretch of the imagination, Kings center Jarret Stoll can really increase his value on the free-agent market during the Stanley Cup Finals. Stoll has shown flashes of becoming a big point producer in the past—he put up 68 points in the 2005-06 season—but at the very least, he has been a reliable 40-point scorer. A diminished role really hurt his numbers this season, however, as he had just 21 points in 78-regular season games.

With Mike Richards and Anze Kopitar ahead of him on the center depth chart, Stoll simply isn't called upon to score very often. He has only four points during the playoffs as well, but he has been invaluable to the Kings. Not only did he score the overtime winner that eliminated the Vancouver Canucks in the first round, but he has been a fine defensive presence. Stoll is a stalwart on the third line, as he plays 17 minutes per game and wins half of his faceoffs. If he continues to do the little things well, then several teams will be interested this summer. 

Bryce Salvador

Perhaps no position benefits more from a strong playoff performance than defenseman. Teams are always looking for a steady defensive presence that can be counted upon in big moments, and Devils rearguard Bryce Salvador has lived up to that during the postseason. Salvador is an impressive plus-10 while playing over 22 minutes per game for the Devils, and he is surprisingly 10th among all playoff scorers with 11 points.

Salvador has never had more than 16 points in an entire regular season, so this scoring binge is most definitely uncharacteristic. Because it has happened in the playoffs, though, teams will take notice. Provided Salvador continues to play fantastic defense and chips in on the offensive end against the Kings, he is going to get an absolutely massive raise from his modest $2.9 million salary.

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