Players in Contract Years with the Most to Gain During the 2014-15 NHL Season

With a few days of NHL action in the books, the early read is in on those who are playing out the final year of their current contracts.

Simply playing good hockey is motivation enough for guys at this level, but there is certainly an added incentive to do well during a contract year, whether you're a veteran pending unrestricted free agent looking to cash in for the first or final time, a youngster looking to prove more valuable than the league minimum or a burgeoning star seeking a massive raise.

A bad season could mean a pay cut, demotion to the American Hockey League or no job at all. A strong season in a contract year, however, can lead to bigger money, long-term security and often the ability to pick where you want to play.

Click ahead to take a look at the players in contract years with the most to gain during the 2014-15 season.

All stats via NHL.com.

10. Sergei Bobrovsky, Columbus Blue Jackets

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Current salary: $6.25 million

The skinny: Bobrovsky won the Vezina Trophy two seasons ago and helped the Columbus Blue Jackets get into the playoffs last year, so what does he have to gain this season before hitting restricted free agency for the final time? Elite goaltenders get massive money and long-term deals. Bobrovsky has done a lot in his relatively brief time with the Blue Jackets to prove he's among the top few netminders in the league.

The bottom line: As long as he continues his climb, the 26-year-old former Philadelphia Flyers cast-off is going to get paid by the Jackets and should join Tuukka Rask, Jonathan Quick and Pekka Rinne in the $7 million-plus-per-season club.

9. Christian Ehrhoff, Pittsburgh Penguins

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Current salary: $4 million

The skinny: Ehrhoff couldn't have landed in a better situation after his lengthy deal in Buffalo was bought out—meaning he'll still be getting paid nearly $1 million per season for the next 14 years—signing a sizable $4 million contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins for 2014-15.

The bottom line: The 32-year-old defenseman is paired with Paul Martin and will see time on the potent power play in Pittsburgh. He may not reach his career-high numbers (14 G, 36 A, 50 PTS, +19 with the Vancouver Canucks in 2010-11), but he will make a strong impression on both the Pens and the other teams in the league who could come calling for his services in the summer when he hits the open market.

8. Marc-Andre Fleury, Pittsburgh Penguins

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Current salary: $5.75 million

The skinny: Many would not have been surprised if Fleury had been bought out by the Penguins after years of disappointing playoff series following his more stable regular-season displays. But the 29-year-old remains in Pittsburgh and might even be able to convince the team he's still worthy of being its starting goaltender with a strong showing in the spring.

The bottom line: It's playoff performance or bust for Fleury, and that could determine whether he stays with the Penguins with a chance for another Stanley Cup or has to venture elsewhere for a shot at a starting job next year. If he goes, a pay cut will almost definitely accompany the move.

7. Jaromir Jagr, New Jersey Devils

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Current salary: $3.5 million

The skinny: Jagr is 42 and still going strong. Although he has signed four straight one-year NHL deals to continue to prove he can contribute to the world's best hockey league, those deals do keep coming. He's not the 100-point guy from the 1990s, but he's still able to collect points, and until that shows real signs of decline, he will get the benefit of the doubt from teams looking for scoring.

The bottom line: The Devils brought him back for a second season—something that hasn't happened for him in the NHL since he left the KHL for the 2011-12 campaign. Right now the big winger is on the top line with newcomer Michael Cammalleri and veteran Travis Zajac and has two assists through two games. He's playing for a new contract with the Devils or another team of his choice, and that kind of clip will guarantee it.

6. Brad Richards, Chicago Blackhawks

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Current salary: $2 million

The skinny: Brad Richards is at the stage of his career where one-year deals will likely prevail. Centering a line for the Chicago Blackhawks with Patrick Kane and Brandon Saad on his flanks would likely help set the stage for an extended life in the league, but the 34-year-old who had his contract bought out by the New York Rangers this summer has been playing on the third line for the Hawks and did not earn a point in his first two games.

The bottom line: Forget money—Richards is playing for a job now. If he can find a way to get up on Kane's line and click with chemistry, he will have a chance to either rejoin the Blackhawks next year—if Teuvo Teravainen isn't quite ready to make the jump—or sign on with another team in need of a veteran presence that comes with scoring potential.

5. Curtis Glencross, Calgary Flames

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Current salary: $2.55 million

The skinny: Glencross took a hometown discount to stay in Calgary back in 2011 after a 24-goal, 43-point season and has improved his goals and points-per-game averages since then despite some injury issues. He could be a hot name at the trade deadline this year because of his expiring contract and the Calgary Flames' rebuilding process—as long as he continues to produce and signs off on any deal thanks to his no-trade clause.

The bottom line: With a goal and an assist through three games, the Flames veteran is off to a good start. Guys who score about 25 a season fetch upwards of $5 million on the open market, so Glencross should double his salary on his next deal if he hits that mark.

4. Dany Heatley, Anaheim Ducks

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Current salary: $1 million

The skinny: Heatley is a reclamation project for the Anaheim Ducks, who lured him there at a bargain basement price for a chance to play with Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry, where he'd certainly improve on last year's dismal numbers—12 goals, 28 points in 76 games for the Minnesota Wild. The problem right now is that he's nursing an injury to start the season.

The bottom line: If the 33-year-old former 50-goal sniper can't produce with those wingers following his return from a preseason injury, Heatley will be all but officially finished in the NHL. But if he can find a way to stick with the big guns on the top line after spending last season on the lower trios, Heatley may extend his career and even earn a little raise this summer as an unrestricted free agent.

3. Jiri Tlusty, Carolina Hurricanes

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Current salary: $2.95 million

The skinny: Tlusty had an incredible season during the lockout-shortened 2012-13 campaign, netting 23 goals in 48 games while playing on the top line with the Carolina Hurricanes. It was a massive step forward for the promising but inconsistent winger. Last year, he scored 16 in 68 games during a disappointing season for him and his teammates. The Hurricanes inked him to a one-year deal in hopes he could bounce back. He's been reunited with Eric Staal and Alex Semin.

The bottom line: With a hat trick and four points through two games, Tlusty looks like he's ready to take on a top role in Carolina once again. At just 26 years old, he'll have plenty of suitors as an unrestricted free agent next summer.

2. Braden Holtby, Washington Capitals

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Current salary: $2 million

The skinny: Holtby is among the lowest-paid starting netminders this season, with the others—Frederik Andersen, Darcy Kuemper and Jhonas Enroth—all in more time-share situations with their respective clubs. The Washington Capitals let Jaroslav Halak go after bringing him in to compete with Holtby down the stretch last season and have recommitted to the 25-year-old Holtby.

The bottom line: A solid season for the Capitals, including a playoff appearance, would lead to a much bigger payday for Holtby, who just a couple of seasons ago looked like he had a bright future in Washington. He's a pending restricted free agent, but a multiyear deal would buy up some of his unrestricted days, which will cost the Caps more.

1. Gustav Nyquist, Detroit Red Wings

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Current salary: $950,000

The skinny: Starting the season in the American Hockey League, Nyquist scored 28 goals to lead the Detroit Red Wings last season despite playing just 57 games. He was called up when the team was devastated by injury and picked up the slack in spades. The 25-year-old winger has started this season right where he left off, scoring in each of his first two games. He's no longer a substitute for Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk—he's a critical part of the Wings' future.

The bottom line: If Nyquist proves he wasn't a partial-year wonder at the NHL level, he's in for a massive raise. He's still a restricted free agent, but that will change to unrestricted after his next deal, so the Wings are looking at a very big number—think Jeff Skinner type dough at $5.75 million per season—to lock him up long term.

Steve Macfarlane has covered the NHL for more than a decade, including seven seasons following the Flames for the Calgary Sun. Follow him on Twitter @macfarlaneHKY.