Ranking the 10 Best NHL Players Heading into Contract Years in 2015-16 Season

With the NHL's 2015 free-agency period beginning on July 1, considerable attention will be focused upon this year's crop of top unrestricted free agents. Teams can also begin contract talks on that date with players eligible for UFA status next summer.

This year's shallow pool of unrestricted free-agent talent could generate more fan and media interest in the stars who are a year away from UFA eligibility. Age, performance, current contract and projected value will factor into their negotiations.

The following slideshow ranks the 10 best NHL players entering contract years in 2015-16. Feel free to voice your opinion in the comments section.

Honorable Mention

Brian Babineau/Getty Images

Jiri Hudler, Calgary Flames: The 31-year-old winger tallied a career-best 31 goals and 76 points this season. Another strong campaign could earn Jiri Hudler a big raise on his current $4 million annual cap hit.

Milan Lucic, Boston Bruins: When 26-year-old Milan Lucic is on his game, he's a game-changing power forward. His current cap hit is $6 million per season, but it's debatable whether he's still worth it.  

Andrew Ladd, Winnipeg Jets: Jets captain Andrew Ladd notched a career-best 62 points this season. His leadership and experience should earn him a nice raise over his current $4.4 million annual cap hit. 

David Backes, St. Louis Blues: Blues captain David Backes reached 54 points for the fifth time in seven seasons in 2014-15. The Blues' playoff failures could hurt his chances for a big raise on his current deal.

Keith Yandle, New York Rangers: Keith Yandle reached the 50-point mark for the third time in five seasons this term. It will cost the Rangers considerably more than his current $5.25 million cap hit to re-sign him. 

Tomas Plekanec, Montreal Canadiens: Tomas Plekanec reached the 60-point mark for the third time in his NHL career this season. His age, 32, could prevent him from receiving a significant raise on his $5 million annual cap hit.  

Erik Johnson, Colorado Avalanche: Twenty-seven-year-old Erik Johnson has become a solid top-two defenseman for the Avalanche. He should earn a lucrative extension over his current $3.75 million annual cap hit. 

Brandon Sutter, Pittsburgh Penguins: Brandon Sutter has become a reliable defensive center with a decent scoring touch. The 26-year-old should be in line for a nice raise on his $3.3 million annual cap hit. 

Cam Ward, Carolina Hurricanes: Cam Ward had a solid season with the woeful Hurricanes. He won't get another deal worth $6.3 million annually, but he could still land a decent payday. 

Justin Abdelkader, Detroit Red Wings: Justin Abdelkader had a career-best 23 goals and 44 points this season. At a current cap hit of $1.8 million, the agitating 28-year-old could earn a significant pay raise.

10. Ryan Kesler, Anaheim Ducks

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Current contract: Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Kesler is earning an annual average salary of $5 million, which is also his actual salary for 2015-16. 

Notable factors: In his first season with the Ducks after 10 years with the Vancouver Canucks, Kesler scored 20 goals for the seventh time and over 40 points for the sixth time in his career. He also led the Ducks' centers in faceoff percentage and was among the team leaders in hits and takeaways. 

Projected new contract: Kesler is invaluable to the Ducks, but the 30-year-old is also reaching the age when his physical style could start wearing him down. He could receive a pay bump to $5.5 million annually on a three-year deal from the Ducks.

9. Kyle Okposo, New York Islanders

Mike Stobe/Getty Images

Current contract: New York Islanders right wing Kyle Okposo is earning an annual average salary of $2.8 million. His actual salary for 2015-16 will be $4.5 million. 

Notable factors: Over the past two seasons, the 27-year-old Okposo has blossomed into a reliable scoring winger. He tallied 27 goals and 69 points in 71 games in 2013-14. An eye injury this season limited him to 51 points in 60 games. He led the Isles in scoring last season and finished second this time around.

Projected new contract: Given Okposo's increasing value to the Islanders, their new ownership must be prepared to reward him with a lucrative long-term deal. It could take a five-year contract worth around $5.7 million annually to re-sign him.

8. Eric Staal, Carolina Hurricanes

Nick Wass/Associated Press

Current contract: Carolina Hurricanes center Eric Staal is earning an annual average salary of $8.25 million. His actual salary for 2015-16 is $9.5 million. 

Notable factors: This season marked the 10th consecutive campaign in which Staal has reached or exceeded the 50-point mark. Over that same period, the Hurricanes captain has led his club in scoring eight times, including each of the last six seasons. The 30-year-old's production has slipped in the past two years, which could be blamed on the Hurricanes' lack of offensive depth.

Projected new contract: Unless Staal's numbers significantly improve next season, he will have to accept a smaller deal to re-sign with the Hurricanes. They could offer up a three-year contract worth $6.5 million annually.

7. Ryan O'Reilly, Colorado Avalanche

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Current contract: Colorado Avalanche center Ryan O'Reilly is earning an annual average salary of $6 million. His actual salary for 2015-16 is $6.2 million. 

Notable factors: O'Reilly has reached or exceeded 55 points in three of the past four seasons. He's also among the league's least penalized performers, winning the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy in 2014. O'Reilly plays a solid defensive game. At just 24 years of age, his best seasons could lie ahead of him.

Projected new contract: O'Reilly's current salary is quite expensive for a player of his age and skills. Still, another solid performance next season could cost the Avalanche over $7 million annually on a seven-year deal in order to keep him out of next summer's free-agent market.

6. Dustin Byfuglien, Winnipeg Jets

Jonathan Kozub/Getty Images

Current contract: Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien is earning an annual average salary of $5.2 million. His actual salary for 2015-16 is $6 million. 

Notable factors: The 6'5”, 260-pound Byfuglien is a hard-hitting, strong-skating offensive defenseman who can also play on the wing. The hulking 30-year-old is third in points among NHL defensemen over the past five seasons, having reached or exceeded 45 points four times. Byfuglien was third in hits on the Jets this season.

Projected new contract: Byfuglien is an impact player for the Jets, but they'll have to pay big bucks to keep Big Buff in Winnipeg. His size, physical style and offensive numbers could fetch him a four-year deal worth around $7 million per season.

5. Mark Giordano, Calgary Flames

Andy Marlin/Getty Images

Current contract: Calgary Flames defenseman Mark Giordano is earning an annual average salary of $4.02 million. His actual salary for 2015-16 is $4 million.

Notable factors: Despite being hampered by injuries the past two seasons, Giordano has emerged as one of the league's best defensemen. On March 13, NHL.com's Cory Masisak claimed that the Flames captain was considered a favorite to win the Norris Trophy until he got hurt. Giordano has reached or exceeded 43 points three times in his career. He's a strong skater who plays very well in the defensive zone.

Projected new contract: Flames general manager Brad Treliving has made re-signing Giordano his top priority this summer. Given his age (31) and injury history, Giordano could receive a four-year offer worth around $7 million per season from the Flames.

4. Jakub Voracek, Philadelphia Flyers

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Current contract: Philadelphia Flyers right wing Jakub Voracek is earning an annual average salary of $4.25 million. His actual salary for 2015-16 will be $4.5 million. 

Notable factors: Voracek has steadily improved over the past three seasons. The 25-year-old winger enjoyed a career-best 81-point performance in 2014-15. He led the Flyers in points and finished fifth in the NHL scoring race. He's reached or exceeded 46 points six times and is a superb playmaker.

Projected new contract: Voracek's new deal could depend upon his performance next season. Flyers management might wait to determine if he can build upon his 2014-15 numbers. Another stellar offensive performance could earn Voracek a seven-year deal worth upward of $8 million annually.

3. Brent Seabrook, Chicago Blackhawks

Kamil Krzaczynski/Associated Press

Current contract: Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook is earning an annual average salary of $5.8 million. His actual salary for 2015-16 is $5 million. 

Notable factors: Overshadowed at times by defense partner Duncan Keith, the 30-year-old Seabrook is among the NHL's best all-around defensemen. He's exceeded the 30-point mark seven times. Since 2010-11, Seabrook has led all Blackhawks defensemen in hits and led the club in blocked shots in three of the past four seasons.

Projected new contract: Seabrook's solid two-way play should earn him a lucrative payday. It could cost the Blackhawks over $7.5 million annually on a five-year deal to keep him off next summer's free-agent market.

2. Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings

Andy Devlin/Getty Images

Current contract: Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar is earning an average annual salary of $6.8 million. His actual salary for 2015-16 will be $7.7 million. 

Notable factors: Kopitar, 27, is among the league's top two-way centers. For the second straight year, he's a finalist for the Selke Trophy. Kopitar is also a finalist for the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy. He's led the Kings in scoring every season since 2007-08 and exceeded 60 points in eight of his nine NHL seasons. 

Projected new contract: Kopitar's consistency and disciplined two-way play put him among the league's top centers. It could cost the Kings $10 million per season over the next eight years to keep him in Los Angeles.

1. Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning

Mike Carlson/Getty Images

Current contract: Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos is earning an average annual salary of $7.5 million. His actual salary for 2015-16 will be $5.5 million. 

Notable factors: Stamkos, 25, is among the NHL's elite scorers. Over the past five seasons, only Washington's Alexander Ovechkin has scored more goals. In his seven NHL seasons, he's exceeded 40 goals four times and is a two-time winner of the Maurice Richard Trophy. Stamkos has led the Lightning in points three times, including this season.

Projected new contract: Given Stamkos is currently among the league's top players, he will be paid accordingly. The highest annual cap hit is currently $10.5 million. It could cost the Lightning at least that much on an eight-year extension to retain their captain.

Players stats via NHL.com and QuantHockey.com. Salary info via NHLNumbers.com.