Stock Watch for Top Free Agents in the 2015 NHL Offseason

Prior to the start of the 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs, we ranked the 10 best NHL free agents in his year's offseason. With the July 1 start of the free-agency period just over a month away, it's worthwhile to revisit that ranking and update the stock of the best available players. 

Various factors must be taken into account in evaluating a free agent's value. Age, skills, current contract and performance during the regular season and playoffs can affect his worth in the free-agent market.

The following slideshow examines the stock of the top NHL unrestricted free agents of the offseason. Feel free to voice your opinions in the comments section.

Honorable Mention

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Francois Beauchemin, Anaheim Ducks: This veteran workhorse continues to log big minutes for the Ducks. Beauchemin's experience and leadership could prove enticing for clubs seeking blue-line depth. 

Michael Frolik, Winnipeg Jets: Frolik's consecutive 42-point seasons with the Jets could draw interest from teams in need of an offensive right winger. The lack of depth in this summer's free-agent market should also boost his stock.

Joel Ward, Washington Capitals: A 19-goal regular season followed by a strong playoff performance should bolster Ward's value. His age (34) could still be a concern. 

Carl Soderberg, Boston Bruins: Soderberg's versatility and consecutive 40-plus point seasons should attract interest from clubs looking for forward depth. His limited playoff experience could be an issue. 

Karri Ramo, Calgary Flames: Replacing starter Jonas Hiller in the Flames' series against Anaheim boosts Ramo's free-agent stock. However, his inability to establish himself as a starting goalie remains an issue. 

Mike Fisher, Nashville Predators: Fisher returned strong from offseason Achilles tendon surgery to net 39 points in 59 games. His wife is country singer Carrie Underwood, so he's unlikely to leave Nashville.

Martin St. Louis, New York Rangers: Age is obviously catching up with the 39-year-old St. Louis. A future Hall of Famer, the decline in his production this season adversely affects his free-agent value.

Antoine Vermette, Chicago Blackhawks: Vermette struggled after being dealt from Arizona to Chicago before the March trade deadline. Being a healthy scratch three times in the playoffs also sends his stock tumbling.

Cody Franson, Nashville Predators: Franson's performance noticeably declined after being dealt to Nashville from Toronto. That could hurt his efforts to land a lucrative long-term deal. 

Marek Zidlicky, Detroit Red Wings: The 38-year-old Zidlicky put up good numbers with Detroit and New Jersey during the regular season. Still, his age could hamper his efforts to land a new contract. 

Chris Stewart, Minnesota Wild: Stewart's inconsistency hurts his value. While his offensive numbers picked up following his trade from Buffalo to Minnesota, he faded down the stretch and in the playoffs.

Christian Ehrhoff, Pittsburgh Penguins: Though Ehrhoff's a skilled puck-moving defenseman, his recent concussion history will be a significant concern. 

10. Andrej Sekera, Los Angeles Kings

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Current contract: Los Angeles Kings defenseman Andrej Sekera is completing a four-year contract worth an annual salary-cap hit of $2.75 million. 

Notable Factors: Sekera had a solid performance with the Kings and Carolina Hurricanes. The 28-year-old blueliner plays a responsible game at both ends of the ice. His absence due to a late-season injury contributed to the Kings missing the playoffs. 

Value: Sekera should remain among this summer's top 10 free agents. On April 28, Jon Rosen of LAKingsInsider.com reported the Kings and Sekera had opened preliminary contract negotiations. If he hits the open market, teams seeking an experienced top-four defenseman (like Arizona, Buffalo, Colorado and Edmonton) could pursue him.

9. Drew Stafford, Winnipeg Jets

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Current contract: Winnipeg Jets winger Drew Stafford is coming off a four-year contract worth an average salary-cap hit of $4 million. 

Notable Factors: A former two-time 50-point player with the Buffalo Sabres, Stafford regained his offensive touch following a trade this season to Winnipeg. The 29-year-old tallied 19 points in 26 regular-season games, along with two points in four playoff appearances.

Value: The move to Winnipeg boosted Stafford's free-agent stock. The Winnipeg Sun's Ken Wiebe reports the Jets consider re-signing the winger a priority. If Stafford hits the open market, clubs seeking scoring depth on the right wing (Calgary, Boston, New Jersey and Pittsburgh) could come calling. 

8. Justin Williams, Los Angeles Kings

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Current contract: Los Angeles Kings right wing Justin Williams is completing a four-year deal worth an annual salary-cap hit of $3.65 million. 

Notable Factors: The 33-year-old Williams has played on three Stanley Cup champions and possesses considerable playoff experience and leadership. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the 2014 playoff MVP. Williams has reached or exceeded 41 points in four of the past five seasons, though his production has declined over that period. 

Value: Despite Williams' age and the slow drop in his offense, his Conn Smythe Trophy and previous postseason numbers makes him a very attractive free-agent target. Rebuilding clubs will value his experience, while Cup contenders could pursue him for his clutch playoff scoring.

7. Mike Green, Washington Capitals

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Current contract: Washington Capitals defenseman Mike Green is completing a three-year contract worth an annual cap hit of $6.083 million. 

Notable Factors: Despite being used predominantly as a fifth defenseman this season, Green still reached the 45-point mark during the regular season for the fourth time in his career. The 29-year-old also improved his defensive game. Green was less effective in the playoffs, with only two points in 14 games. 

Value: Green's postseason performance hurts his free-agent stock. However, the lack of depth in this summer's free-agent market ensures he will remain among the top available blueliners. Green could interest teams like Detroit, Dallas or Colorado seeking an experienced right-handed defenseman. 

6. Paul Martin, Pittsburgh Penguins

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Current contract: Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Paul Martin is completing a five-year contract worth an annual salary-cap hit of $5 million. 

Notable Factors: The 34-year-old Martin remains a solid all-around defenseman. During the playoffs, he led the Penguins in time on ice per game. His skills and experience make him a good fit on any club requiring blue-line depth. His age could also ensure he's an affordable short-term option.

Value: Martin's stock should remain high this summer. Teams seeking experienced defensive depth (Arizona, Buffalo, Colorado, Columbus, Dallas and Edmonton) are likely suitors for his services. 

5. Antti Niemi, San Jose Sharks

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Current contract: San Jose Sharks goaltender Antti Niemi is completing a four-year contract worth an annual salary-cap hit of $3.8 million. 

Notable Factors: Niemi has the most experience of this summer's available goalies. During the 31-year-old's tenure with the Sharks, he won over 30 games in four of the last five seasons. Over that period, his save percentage never went below .913, while his goals-against average was 2.39 or less three times. 

Value: Niemi remains among this summer's top 10 free agents. Teams seeking an experienced starting goalie (Buffalo, Edmonton and possibly Dallas) could have serious interest in him.

4. Mike Ribeiro, Nashville Predators

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Current contract: Nashville Predators center Mike Ribeiro is completing a one-year contract worth $1.050 million. 

Notable Factors: Ribeiro made the most of his opportunity with the Predators this season. His 62 points in 82 regular-season games and five points in six playoff games ranked him among Nashville's leading scorers in both categories. Despite his age (35), Ribeiro proved he's still an effective playmaker.

Value: Ribeiro's stock is up this year. NashvillePredators.com's Brooks Bratten reports the Predators are keen to re-sign him. If they don't, he should receive interest from clubs seeking a playmaking center. A two- or three-year deal worth perhaps $3.5 million annually isn't out of the question. 

3. Jeff Petry, Montreal Canadiens

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Current contract: Montreal Canadiens defenseman Jeff Petry is completing a one-year deal worth $3.075 million. 

Notable Factors: Petry quickly fit in with the Canadiens following a trade-deadline deal with Edmonton, becoming one of their most reliable defensemen. In the first postseason of his NHL career, the 27-year-old Petry acquitted himself very well. He logged over 22 minutes of ice time per game.

Value: Petry's performance with the Canadiens significantly bolsters his stock. The Montreal Gazette's Christopher Curtis reports Canadiens management hope to re-sign the skilled blueliner, but Curtis suggests he could earn a deal comparable to Washington's Matt Niskanen. Petry will also interest teams (Arizona, Buffalo, Colorado, Dallas) seeking a top-four rearguard.

2. Matt Beleskey, Anaheim Ducks

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Current contract: Anaheim Ducks left wing Matt Beleskey is coming off a two-year contract worth an annual cap hit of $1.35 million. 

Notable Factors: Beleskey enjoyed a career-best regular season by tallying 22 goals in 65 games. More impressive is the 26-year-old's playoff performance this spring. He leads the Ducks in game-winning goals, postseason hits and is among their goal-scoring leaders. 

Value: Despite a limited NHL career, Beleskey's efforts in this year's playoffs have significantly boosted his stock. If the Ducks fail to re-sign him, his physical scoring style will attract lots of interest from goal-starved clubs this summer. Arizona, Buffalo, New Jersey, Boston, Pittsburgh and Montreal could be among the suitors. 

1. Devan Dubnyk, Minnesota Wild

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Current contract: Minnesota Wild goaltender Devan Dubnyk is coming off a one-year contract worth $800,000. 

Notable Factors: A midseason trade from Arizona to Minnesota improved the fortunes of Dubnyk and the Wild. The 29-year-old's impressive performance carried his once-struggling new club into the playoffs. Despite his average postseason numbers, Dubnyk's stock was furthered bolstered when he was named a finalist for the Vezina and Masterton Trophies. 

Value: Though there's a risk Dubnyk could be a one-year wonder, his free-agent value is sky-high. His Vezina nomination ensures he will get a lucrative multiyear deal from the Wild or another club if he tests the open market.