Stock Watch for the Top NHL Players Headed for Free Agency in 2016

Though still early in the 2015-16 NHL season, the status of next summer's top potential free agents (like Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos) is of interest to fans and pundits. That's because there's a high number of stars eligible for unrestricted free agency next July.

Various factors must be considered to determine their stock in the free-agent market. Current contract, skills, age, performance, experience, leadership ability and status of contract negotiations will affect their respective futures.

The following slideshow will examine the stock of the top NHL players due for free agency in 2016. Feel free to voice your opinion in the comments section below.

Honorable Mention

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press/Associated Press

Jaromir Jagr

Justin Abdelkader, Detroit Red Wings: Coming off a career-best 44-point season, the 28-year-old Abdelkader has cooled following a hot start to this season. He'll need a more consistent effort if he hopes to land a big raise over his current $1.8 million annual cap hit. 

Loui Eriksson, Boston Bruins: The 30-year-old right wing is among the Bruins' leading scorers. Eriksson's on pace for 70 points, a total he last reached three seasons ago. If he can maintain it, he could be in line for another lucrative deal. 

Dan Hamhuis, Vancouver Canucks: An experienced big-minute defenseman, the 32-year-old's injury history could affect his free-agent value next summer. Hamhuis is unlikely to see another long-term deal worth $4.5 million annually.

Jaromir Jagr, Florida Panthers: The 43-year-old Jagr has 10 points in his first nine games. Despite being recently sidelined by a lower-body injury, he still leads the Panthers in scoring. Currently on a short-term bonus-laden deal, Jagr's stock could rise if he maintains his current scoring pace.

Frans Nielsen, New York Islanders: An underrated two-way center, the 31-year-old Nielsen is among the Islanders' leading scorers. He's on pace for a career-high 60-point campaign, which will certainly ensure a significant pay raise next summer.

Radim Vrbata, Vancouver Canucks: The Canucks' leading goal scorer last season got off to a slow start, but he's stepped it up of late. Vrbata must match last season's 63-point effort to earn a deal comparable to his current one.

Cam Ward, Carolina Hurricanes: With four wins in 10 games, a 2.44 goals-against average and .907 save percentage, Ward is off to a decent start. However, he must put up better numbers over the course of the season to land another rich long-term deal.

Keith Yandle, New York Rangers: The 29-year-old blueliner looks more comfortable in his first full season with the Rangers. He's the leading scorer among the Blueshirts' defensemen. If he maintains that offensive pace, he'll be in line for another lucrative contract. 

10. Mikkel Boedker, Arizona Coyotes

Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

Current contract: Arizona Coyotes winger Mikkel Boedker, 25, is in the final season of a one-year, $3.75 million contract. 

Current performance: With eight points in 11 games, Boedker ranks among the Coyotes' leading scorers. He's currently on pace for a career-best 60-point performance. However, all those points came in just five games. 

Value: Boedker's speed and offensive skills will attract clubs looking for scorers. His youth could give him an advantage over older free agents. He's steadily improved over the last two years as an offensive forward. That makes him enticing to clubs seeking long-term options via free agency.

9. Kyle Okposo, New York Islanders

Kathy Kmonicek/Associated Press

Current contract: New York Islanders right wing Kyle Okposo, 27, is in the final season of a five-year, $14 million contract. While his actual salary this season is $4.5 million, the annual salary-cap hit is $2.8 million. 

Current performance: Okposo is on pace for a 60-point performance. He ranks among the Islanders' leading scorers. However, all his points came in just five games. 

Value: Despite Okposo's scoring ability and work ethic, his streaky offense and injury history could affect his free-agent stock next summer. If he hopes to land a big raise, he needs a healthy, consistent performance this season.

8. Dustin Byfuglien, Winnipeg Jets

Rich Schultz/Associated Press

Current contract: Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien, 30, is in the final season of a five-year, $26 million contract. While his actual salary this season is $6 million, the annual salary-cap hit is $5.2 million. 

Current performance: The 6'5”, 260-pound Byfuglien leads all Jets defensemen in points and hits. He's also among the league leaders for blueliners in both categories. He's on pace for a 41-point season, which would be his lowest over a full NHL season since 2009-10.

Value: Big Buff's hard-hitting, free-wheeling offensive style will certainly entice clubs seeking that type of defenseman. His age and recent injury history, however, could dampen his stock. A healthy, 50-point performance will push his value higher, potentially putting him out of the Jets' price range.

7. David Backes, St. Louis Blues

Jeff Roberson/Associated Press

Current contract: St. Louis Blues center David Backes, 31, is in the final season of a five-year, $22.5 million contract. While his actual salary this season is $4.75 million, the annual salary-cap hit is $4.5 million. 

Current performance: It took Backes 11 games to tally his first two goals of the season. He also had a slow start last season before finishing with 58 points. His physical play hasn't suffered, as he's leading the Blues in hits.

Value: If Backes hits the free-agent market, he will be prized for his physical two-way style and leadership. His age, however, will work against him receiving a lengthy deal. How far he leads the underachieving Blues in the playoffs will also affect his value. Barring a career-best performance (unlikely at this stage in his career), he could receive a four-year offer worth around $5.75 million annually.

6. Andrew Ladd, Winnipeg Jets

Kathy Kmonicek/Associated Press

Current contract: Winnipeg Jets left wing Andrew Ladd, 29, is in the final season of a five-year, $22 million contract. While his actual salary this season is $4.5 million, the annual salary-cap hit is $4.4 million. 

Current performance: The Jets captain is currently among his club's leading scorers. He's also with the team leaders in hits among forwards. Ladd is on pace for a 55-point season. That's what he's been averaging in recent years.

Value: Ladd brings invaluable leadership, offensive depth at left wing and playoff experience to the Jets. Those traits will also make him highly prized on the free-agent market. On Oct. 7, the Winnipeg Sun's Ted Wyman reported Ladd wasn't sure if he'd cut off contract talks with the Jets during the season. To date, there's been no further word on the matter from Ladd or the club.

5. Jiri Hudler, Calgary Flames

Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photo/Getty Images

Current contract: Calgary Flames winger Jiri Hudler, 31, is in the final season of a four-year, $16 million contract. His actual salary and annual cap hit is $4 million. 

Current performance: A late-blooming star, the 2015 Lady Byng Memorial Trophy winner is once again among the Flames' leading scorers. Hudler's on pace for a 70-point season, which will almost match last season's career-best 76 points.

Value: The improvement in Hudler's offense since last season coincides with being placed on a line with young stars Johnny Gaudreau (22) and Sean Monahan (21). He also has championship experience, having won a Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings in 2008. If Hudler tests the free-agent market, clubs seeking a skilled first-line winger to mentor their young scoring forwards will come calling.

4. Milan Lucic, Los Angeles Kings

Rocky W. Widner/NHL/Getty Images

Current contract: Los Angeles Kings left wing Milan Lucic, 27, is in the final season of a three-year, $18 million contract. While his actual salary this season is $6.5 million, the annual salary-cap hit is $6 million. 

Current performance: Following a slow start on the Kings' first line, Lucic was moved to the second line alongside Jeff Carter and Tyler Toffoli. The move did him good, as Lucic collected six points in five games. He's now among the Kings' leading scorers.

Value: Lucic's performance declined last season, which hurt his value as a leading power forward. A bounce-back season will certainly boost his free-agent stock. A resurgence could also make it difficult for the Kings to re-sign Lucic, especially if they ink center Anze Kopitar to a big raise.

3. Eric Staal, Carolina Hurricanes

Rocky W. Widner/NHL/Getty Images

Current contract: Carolina Hurricanes forward Eric Staal, 31, is in the final season of a seven-year, $57.750 million contract. While his actual salary this season is $9.5 million, the annual salary-cap hit is $8.25 million.

Current performance: With seven points in 12 games, Staal is among the Hurricanes' leading scorers. He's also on pace for a 50-point campaign. That would be his lowest over a full NHL season since his rookie performance (31 points) in 2003-04. 

Value: Despite the ongoing decline in his stats, Staal will attract interest from clubs seeking experienced first-line scoring. His production could improve if he played with a more talented lineup. While he won't get offers as generous as his current contract, he could receive a four-year deal worth around $7 million annually.

2. Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings

Danny Moloshok/Associated Press

Current contract: Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar, 28, is in the final season of a seven-year, $47.6 million contract. While his actual salary this season is $7.7 million, the annual salary-cap hit is $6.8 million.  

Current performance: The Kings' leading scorer for the past eight seasons, Kopitar's had a sluggish opening month. Still, he's among the Kings' top 10 scorers. Slow starts aren't unusual for him, as he had the same number of points in as many games to open last season. 

Value: Sportsnet's Luke Fox reported Mike Futa, the Kings' director of hockey operations, told Hockey Central at Noon the club remains confident in re-signing Kopitar. Despite his slow start, only Stamkos rates higher among the 2016 free-agent class. It could cost the Kings around $10 million annually on an eight-year deal to retain him.

1. Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

Current contract: Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos, 25, is in the final season of a five-year, $37.5 million contract. While his actual salary this season is $5.5 million, the annual salary-cap hit is $7.5 million. 

Current performance: The Lightning captain is right where you'd expect to find him, leading the Lightning in goals and among their points leaders. Interestingly, Stamkos is currently not among the league's top scorers. However, the Lightning's offensive production is down compared to last season, when they led the league.

Value: Stamkos remains the biggest name among next summer's potential unrestricted free agents. Should his production pick up as expected over the course of this season, he'll remain the best of the 2016 free-agent bunch. He'll also be the most expensive, as his asking price could rival the eight-year, $84 million contracts of the Chicago Blackhawks' Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane.

Player stats via NHL.com, and salary information via General Fanager.