2015 NHL Free Agents Helping Themselves in the Stanley Cup Playoffs

As the Stanley Cup playoffs progress through the second round, several players eligible for restricted or unrestricted free-agent status are boosting their value with solid postseason performances.

Though a player's regular-season record is usually the basis for determining a new contract, playoff performance cannot be overlooked. The bigger the role a player has in his club's postseason success, the more his value improves. Playing through injury and raising one's game in the playoffs are also considerations.

Here's a look at 10 NHL free agents whose performances thus far in the 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs have improved their value. Feel free to voice your views in the comments section. 

Honorable Mention

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Francois Beauchemin, Anaheim Ducks. An unrestricted free agent, the 34-year-old Beauchemin leads the Ducks in playoff ice time. He remains a valuable part of the Anaheim blue line.

Mike Hoffman, Ottawa Senators. A 27-goal scorer in his rookie season, the 25-year-old restricted free agent was among the Senators' leading playoff scorers.

Evgeny Kuznetsov, Washington Capitals. A 22-year-old NHL rookie, Kuznetsov had decent regular-season numbers. The restricted free agent is among the Capitals' postseason scoring leaders.

Paul Martin, Pittsburgh Penguins. The 34-year-old pending unrestricted free agent had a solid regular-season performance. He also led the Penguins in playoff ice time and was third in blocked shots.

Jeff Petry, Montreal Canadiens. Acquired at the trade deadline, Petry quickly became a valuable part of the Canadiens defense. An unrestricted free agent, he's logging over 23 minutes of ice time per game.

Craig Smith, Nashville Predators. A restricted free agent this summer, the 25-year-old Smith followed up a good regular-season performance (44 points) by tallying five points in six playoff games.

Derek Stepan, New York Rangers. Stepan, a restricted free agent, had an impressive regular season by netting 55 points in 68 games. He's now among the Rangers' playoff scoring leaders.

Joel Ward, Washington Capitals. The 34-year-old unrestricted free agent continues to be a clutch playoff performer. He's among the Capitals' leading scorers in this postseason.

Colin Wilson, Nashville Predators. The 25-year-old restricted free agent enjoyed a career-best performance in the regular season. Wilson went on to score five goals in six playoff games.

Mika Zibanejad, Ottawa Senators. A restricted free agent, the 22-year-old winger followed up a career-best regular season by finishing among the Senators' leading playoff scorers this spring.

10. Drew Stafford, Winnipeg Jets

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Winnipeg Jets winger Drew Stafford is eligible for unrestricted free agency in July. He's completing a four-year deal at an annual cap hit of $4 million. 

Dealt to the Jets in mid-February in a multiplayer trade with Buffalo, Stafford tallied 19 points in 26 regular-season games for Winnipeg. While the Jets were swept from the opening round by the Anaheim Ducks, his two points in four games ranked among Winnipeg's leading scorers. He was also sixth in hits.

Stafford, 29, meshed well with the Jets this season. His playoff performance should help him garner a lucrative new contract that keeps him in Winnipeg.

9. Jakob Silfverberg, Anaheim Ducks

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Anaheim Ducks right wing Jakob Silfverberg is a restricted free agent coming off a one-year contract worth an annual salary-cap hit of $851,000. He has arbitration rights.

With 13 goals, 26 assists and 39 points this season, the 24-year-old Silfverberg had career-best offensive numbers. He's also off to a terrific start to this year's playoffs. After six postseason games, Silfverberg is among the Ducks' leaders in plus/minus (plus-five) and ranks among their leading scorers.

Silfverberg's already shown the potential to reach or exceed 40 points during the regular season. If he continues his current playoff production, it could improve his chances for a significant raise.

8. Carl Hagelin, New York Rangers

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New York Rangers left wing Carl Hagelin is a restricted free agent this summer. He's completing a two-year contract worth an annual salary-cap hit of $2.25 million and has arbitration rights. 

A versatile two-way winger, the 26-year-old Hagelin tallied 17 goals and 35 points this season. His postseason numbers thus far are much better. His two goals and four points puts him among the Rangers' playoff scoring leaders. He's also third in shooting percentage.

Over the course of his four NHL seasons, Hagelin has evolved into a proven playoff performer. His current efforts should help him secure a lucrative contract extension with the Rangers.

7. Micheal Ferland, Calgary Flames

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Calgary Flames left wing Micheal Ferland is a restricted free agent this summer. He's coming off an entry-level contract at an annual salary-cap hit of $798,000. He also lacks arbitration rights.

Ferland, 23, played only 26 games with the Flames this season, shuttling between Calgary and the minors. However, in the Flames' opening-round series against Vancouver, Ferland's two goals and four points through six games put him among their leading scorers. He also leads the Flames in hits by a wide margin.

That mixture of offense and truculent physical play suggests Ferland is poised to become a full-time power forward for the Flames. His postseason numbers could ensure a nice raise along with a permanent roster spot next season.

6. Devan Dubnyk, Minnesota Wild

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Minnesota Wild goaltender Devan Dubnyk is eligible for unrestricted free agency in July. His current contract is a one-year deal worth $800,000. 

Acquired from the Arizona Coyotes on Jan. 14, the 28-year-old Dubnyk backstopped the once-floundering Wild into a playoff berth. His outstanding second-half performance made him a finalist for the Vezina Trophy. Though his playoff numbers aren't as impressive as his regular-season stats, he was superb in his final two victories over the St. Louis Blues.

Carrying the Wild from near the bottom of the Western Conference standings into the playoffs has assured Dubnyk a lucrative new contract with the Wild or another NHL club this summer. Helping Minnesota reach the second round will only burnish his resume. 

5. Mark Stone, Ottawa Senators

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Ottawa Senators right wing Mark Stone is a restricted free agent. He's coming off an entry-level contract worth an annual salary-cap hit of $873,000. He lacks arbitration rights. 

Despite suffering a wrist injury in the opening game of the Senators playoff series against Montreal, the 22-year-old Stone still managed four assists in six playoff games. He tied with three teammates for Ottawa's playoff scoring lead. Stone was also second among Senators forwards in blocked shots.

Stone's 64 points in the regular season led all rookie scorers and made him a finalist for the Calder Trophy as Rookie of the Year. His impressive playoff numbers while hampered by an injury only improve his chances for a significant raise this summer.

4. Mikael Granlund, Minnesota Wild

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Minnesota Wild center Mikael Granlund is completing an entry-level contract worth an annual salary-cap hit of $2.1 million. He's a restricted free agent lacking arbitration rights.

Injuries have hampered the 23-year-old Granlund's regular-season numbers, which have hovered around 40 points in each of the past two seasons. However, he shines come playoff time. In seven postseason games this year, he's tied for the Wild lead in plus/minus (plus-four) and second in scoring with six points.

Granlund's regular-season potential should net him a decent raise on a two-year bridge contract. His playoff performance, however, could make the case for a bigger pay bump.

3. Braden Holtby, Washington Capitals

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Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby is a restricted free agent completing a two-year contract worth an annual salary-cap hit of $1.85 million. He has arbitration rights. 

The 25-year-old Holtby had a career-best regular season, posting 41 victories with a 2.22 goals-against average, a .923 save percentage and nine shutouts. His playoff goals-against (1.72) and save percentage (.947) ranks among this spring's playoff leaders, backstopping the Capitals into the second round.

Holtby's regular-season performance has likely ensured he'll receive a lucrative long-term contract extension. His playoff numbers should seal the deal.

2. Mike Ribeiro, Nashville Predators

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Nashville Predators center Mike Ribeiro is slated to become an unrestricted free agent in July. His current contract is a one-year deal worth $1.050 million. 

Ribeiro, 35, was the Predators' second-highest scorer this season with 62 points. He followed up with a strong playoff performance. Though Nashville was eliminated from the opening round, Ribeiro tallied five points in six games. He tied with three others for second on the Predators in playoff points.

Off-ice issues saw Ribeiro bought out of a lucrative deal last summer by the Arizona Coyotes. Joining the Predators on a bargain contract that was considered his last chance at salvaging his NHL career, the veteran center made the most of his opportunity. Ribeiro could be rewarded with a short-term extension and perhaps a raise as high as $4 million annually.

1. Vladimir Tarasenko, St. Louis Blues

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St. Louis Blues right wing Vladimir Tarasenko is due to become a restricted free agent. He's completing an entry-level contract worth an annual salary-cap hit of $1.75 million and lacks arbitration rights.

Tarasenko, 23, blossomed into a superstar this season. He was the Blues' leading scorer, finishing among the league's leaders in goals (37) and points (73). Tarasenko's offensive skills were on display during the Blues' opening-round series against Minnesota. He led all St. Louis players with six goals.

The young Russian winger was among the few bright spots in an otherwise disappointing first-round exit for the Blues. His astounding playoff performance will only ensure he gets a lucrative long-term deal with St. Louis.

All player and team statistics (as of May 2, 2015) via NHL.com. All salary information via NHLNumbers.com.