Free Agents Who Will Most Benefit from a Strong 2015 NHL Playoffs Performance

Every NHL team in the 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs has several players eligible for unrestricted free agency in July. Strong performances in the postseason will only boost their free-agent value at season's end.

Some pending free agents could stand to benefit more than others. A few are potential late bloomers who are hoping to make the most of their first opportunity in the UFA market. Several are struggling veterans who are hoping to boost their value. Some are players traded during the season who are still trying to adjust to their new teams.

Here's a look at 10 NHL unrestricted free agents who will benefit most from strong performances in the 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs. Experience, skills, regular-season performance and injury history factored into these rankings.

10. Shawn Matthias, Vancouver Canucks

Jae C. Hong/Associated Press

After struggling for several seasons with the Florida Panthers, forward Shawn Matthias has fit in well with the Vancouver Canucks' checking lines. The 27-year-old scored a career-best 18 goals and 27 points in 78 games this season, helping the Canucks reach the playoffs.

Matthias' size (6'4", 223 pounds), two-way play and faceoff skills were a welcome addition to the Canucks this season. He's coming off of a two-year contract at an annual cap hit of $1.75 million, and he could seek a substantial raise.  

A strong playoff performance could improve Matthias' chances of landing a lucrative deal. The Province's Steve Ewen wonders if the Canucks have sufficient cap space to re-sign him. Matthias will get his raise with the Canucks or another club that is seeking skilled checking-line depth. 

9. Matt Beleskey, Anaheim Ducks

Jay LaPrete/Associated Press

This season was something of a breakout performance for Anaheim Ducks left wing Matt Beleskey. The 26-year-old posted career highs in goals (22) and points (32) through 65 games this season.

Earlier this season, Beleskey saw playing time on the Ducks' top line with Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. He's since moved to second-line duty alongside Ryan Kesler and Kyle Palmieri. The bulk of Beleskey's scoring, however, came in the first half of the season. Only seven of his 22 goals have come since Jan. 2, though the decline can be attributed to his missing 14 games to injury.

Beleskey's offensive improvement could fetch him a nice raise over his current annual salary of $1.4 million. A solid effort in the 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs, however, should significantly bolster his stock. 

8. Zbynek Michalek, St. Louis Blues

Billy Hurst/Associated Press

The St. Louis Blues acquired defenseman Zbynek Michalek from the Arizona Coyotes before the March trade deadline. Among the Coyotes' leaders in blocked shots (he ranked No. 3), the 32-year-old Michalek wasn't expected to re-sign with the club this summer.

Though Michalek was sidelined with a concussion at the time of the deal, Blues general manager Doug Armstrong felt he was worth the risk. "He's a guy that can give us minutes, and he's a guy that is comfortable defending against the other team's best players," said Armstrong, per the Blues' website (h/t NHL.com). In 15 regular-season games with the Blues, Michalek tallied four points while averaging over 19 minutes of ice time per game.

Michalek is coming off of a five-year deal worth $4 million per season. He's unlikely to garner a similar deal this summer, but a solid postseason with the Blues could alleviate fears about his recent concussion. That could improve his free-agent value this summer. 

7. Curtis Glencross, Washington Capitals

Nick Wass/Associated Press

On March 1, the Washington Capitals shipped two draft picks to the Calgary Flames for left wing Curtis Glencross. A former two-time 20-plus-goal scorer, Glencross was expected to bring grit and additional scoring punch to the Capitals. 

Capitals head coach Barry Trotz called the move "a good acquisition," noting the 32-year-old plays with "a little bit of an edge," according to NHL.com's Adam Vingan. Glencross had seven points in 18 regular-season games with the Capitals, though the bulk of that offense came in his first seven games.

Glencross' current deal is worth $2.5 million annually. If he hopes to cash in on a bigger payday via free agency, he must produce in the 2015 postseason.

6. Christian Ehrhoff, PIttsburgh Penguins

Matt Slocum/Associated Press

Signed last summer to a one-year, $4 million contract by the Pittsburgh Penguins, puck-moving defenseman Christian Ehrhoff hoped to regain his offensive form this season. Having tallied over 42 points three times in his NHL career, Ehrhoff's numbers declined during his three years with the Buffalo Sabres.

Injuries this season limited the 32-year-old blueliner to only 14 points in 49 games. Sidelined since March 26, Ehrhoff is attempting to return to the Penguins lineup for their playoff series against the New York Rangers.

Ehrhoff's hopes to re-establish himself among the league's elite offensive defensemen were dashed during the regular season. If he can return to action soon, he'll need a strong playoff effort to salvage his free-agent value this summer.

5. Andrew Hammond, Ottawa Senators

Ben Margot/Associated Press

Since his first NHL start on Feb. 18, Ottawa Senators call-up goaltender Andrew Hammond keyed his club to a momentous late-season rally. With regular netminders Craig Anderson and Robin Lehner sidelined, the 27-year-old Hammond posted a stunning 20 wins in 24 games. His efforts enabled the Senators to overcome a 14-point deficit in the standings to clinch a playoff berth.

The Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch believes Hammond's heroics could earn him a nice payday this summer. On March 18, Senators general manager Bryan Murray told Garrioch contract talks will wait until season's end so as not to distract Hammond. "Let's just wait and let him play it out," said Murray.

If Hammond tests the free-agent market, his regular-season performance will make "The Hamburglar" attractive to clubs that are seeking goaltending depth. However, there could be some concern he's merely a flash in the pan. A strong outing in his first NHL playoffs will alleviate those worries and improve his value.

4. Drew Stafford, Winnipeg Jets

Nick Wass/Associated Press

On Feb. 11, left wing Drew Stafford was shipped to the Winnipeg Jets as part of a blockbuster deal that sent winger Evander Kane to the Buffalo Sabres. At the time of the deal, the former 30-goal scorer managed only 24 points in 50 games with the woeful Sabres.

Since joining the Jets, the 29-year-old Stafford potted 19 points in 26 games. His performance was among the reasons why Winnipeg clinched a playoff berth. Jets head coach Paul Maurice thinks highly of Stafford. "He really has had a huge impact since he's been here," he told Ed Tait of the Winnipeg Free Press.

Stafford's regular-season efforts with the Jets should enhance his free-agent stock this summer. A solid playoff performance will bolster it even more. Coming off of a four-year, $16 million deal, Stafford could earn a nice raise, either with Winnipeg or another NHL club.

3. Cody Franson, Nashville Predators

Matt Slocum/Associated Press

When the Nashville Predators acquired defenseman Cody Franson on Feb. 15 from the Toronto Maple Leafs in a multiplayer deal, Predators general manager David Poile sung the 27-year-old's praises. "Cody brings size, offensive ability and the capacity to play in all situations to our lineup," Poile said in a team statement. He went on to call Franson a "perfect component to round out our defensive corps."

Having netted 32 points in 55 games for the sad-sack Maple Leafs, Franson struggled with the Predators. He tallied only four points in 23 regular-season games while his ice time declined. That could raise the perception that Franson is not as solid a two-way defender on a deeper club, which would hurt his free-agent value.

Franson is completing a one-year, $3.3 million contract. He needs a strong postseason showing to bolster his flagging stock in the free-agent market in July. Depending on how far the Predators go in the playoffs, Franson might not have much opportunity to do so.

2. Chris Stewart, Minnesota Wild

Jim Mone/Associated Press

When the Minnesota Wild acquired Chris Stewart from the Buffalo Sabres at this year's NHL trade deadline, he was among the final players dealt that day. The former two-time 28-goal scorer struggled in recent years to find the back of the net. In 61 games this season with the Sabres, the 27-year-old tallied only 25 points.

Upon joining the Wild, Stewart's production soared. He netted 11 points in 20 regular-season games. Wild head coach Mike Yeo recently praised his performance. "He's a very underrated playmaker," Yeo told the Star Tribune's Chip Scoggins. "...I've been real impressed with some of the subtle plays he's made."

Stewart's current contract carries a cap hit of $4.15 million this season. He's unlikely to earn that much on his next deal, but his solid performance with the Wild could ensure his free-agent value doesn't significantly decline. 

1. Antoine Vermette, Chicago Blackhawks

Jeff Roberson/Associated Press

After losing superstar winger Patrick Kane to a broken clavicle, the Chicago Blackhawks dealt prospect defenseman Klas Dahlbeck and a first-round pick in the 2015 draft to the Arizona Coyotes for forward Antoine Vermette. It was a steep price to pay for the 32-year-old, whom Sportsnet's Luke Fox ranked among this year's top 10 unrestricted free agents (Vermette was No. 7).

Vermette netted 35 points in 63 games with the Coyotes but managed only three assists in 19 regular-season games with the Blackhawks. As a result, he was a healthy scratch for the club's first two games of its opening-round series against the Nashville Predators.

The decline in Vermette's late-season play will hurt his free-agent value. He's coming off of a five-year deal worth $3.75 million annually. To get a lucrative contract via free agency, Vermette must step up his game, provided he gets an opportunity to do so. The longer he's a healthy scratch, the more his value could plummet.

Unless otherwise indicated all player and team stats and news via NHL.com. Salary info via NHLNumbers.com.