Pending 2016 NHL Free Agents Boosting Their Value This Season

We're just a few months away from the next free-agent frenzy, and while some big names like Anze Kopitar have dropped off the market because of contract extensions, plenty of NHLers are helping out their cause of cashing in come July 1.

Some restricted free-agent youngsters will get big raises coming off their entry-level deals and looking to skip the bridge contracts, but we'll ignore them for the purposes of this slideshow and look solely at the unrestricted class that is able to be wooed by any of the 29 other franchises.

All of these players have improved their value from the start of the season up to this point, whether they are coming off long-term deals that were handed out in their prime and rebounding to keep from taking drastic pay cuts or coming off shorter contracts that tested whether they were washed up or not.

Click ahead to see pending 2016 free agents who are boosting their value this season.

Dale Weise, Montreal Canadiens

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Current salary: $1.025 million cap hit

The stats say: 43 games, 11 goals, nine assists, 20 points, 97 shots

Bottom line: The Montreal Canadiens still need more scoring power up front, but one reason for their early success this season is the emergence of winger Dale Weise as a consistent source of secondary scoring. The 27-year-old has already hit a career high in goals and is not far off the pace in points. He is most suited for a third- or fourth-line deployment but has filled in on the top six in Montreal this year.

His value: Teams don't want to spend a great deal on their forward fill-in spots, but Weise should be looking at a raise of at least $1 million more per year.

Teddy Purcell, Edmonton Oilers

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Current salary: $4.5 million cap hit

The stats say: 48 games, 10 goals, 18 assists, 28 points, 103 shots

Bottom line: Teddy Purcell is putting up his best offensive numbers since 2013 in the lockout-shortened season with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 30-year-old's tallies project to 17 goals and 48 points following two consecutive seasons of decline in which he posted a dozen goals per year and had point totals of 42 with the Bolts and 34 with the Oilers. He has shown capable of filling in on the top line in a pinch.

His value: Purcell is finishing up a three-year deal he signed with the Lightning after putting together 11 goals and 36 points in 48 games in '13. He hasn't lived up to that salary and won't likely come close to that mark even in free agency, but his current display of versatility and point potential should help him back into the mid-to-high $3 million range, whereas he was looking at a cut of potentially half his salary before this season.

Frans Nielsen, New York Islanders

Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

Current salary: $2.75 million cap hit

The stats say: 45 games, 14 goals, 14 assists, 28 points, 116 shots

Bottom line: After a couple of 40-point seasons with the New York Islanders, Frans Nielsen inked a four-year extension worth $11 million back in 2012. He should do even better this time around thanks to a campaign that will see him hit 25 goals and 50 points if he continues on his current pace. 

His value: Teams are always looking for big centers who can play in the top six, and Nielsen has further validated he's a top-six forward. He will make upwards of $3 million annually starting with his next deal.

Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau, Toronto Maple Leafs

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Current salary: $1.5 million cap hit

The stats say: 44 games, 11 goals, 12 assists, 23 points, 89 shots

Bottom line: P.A. Parenteau received a one-year deal from the Toronto Maple Leafs last summer to see if he had any more of that scoring magic left. The 32-year-old is resurrecting his career on a team that is not very strong but offering plenty of opportunity for him. Parenteau has played on the second line with Tyler Bozak most of the season and has already passed the point total (22) he put up in Montreal last year.

His value: Assuming Parenteau can get close to the 20-goal mark and around 40 points, he'll be back in the $3 million range as a free agent, with a limit on the type of term he's offered.

Jaromir Jagr, Florida Panthers

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

Current salary: $3.5 million cap hit

The stats say: 43 games, 15 goals, 17 assists, 32 points, plus-seven, 74 shots

Bottom line: At 43, Jaromir Jagr is defying age and his critics and performing at a clip that could see him hit 30 goals for the first time since 2007. He's also on pace to pass 60 points for the second time in four years. His hockey intelligence and impressive work habits are rubbing off on the Florida Panthers, who are the surprise leaders of the Atlantic Division.

His value: One-year contracts are going to be standard for players of Jagr's age and experience, but the way he's performed this season, he's looking at a raise. Suitors who feel they have a good shot at a Stanley Cup will be lining up to sign him. He has a lot to offer any team but has been a perfect fit for the Panthers.

Kris Versteeg, Carolina Hurricanes

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Current salary: $4.4 million cap hit

The stats say: 46 games, eight goals, 20 assists, 28 points, plus-three, 95 shots

Bottom line: On a line with Carolina Hurricanes captain Eric Staal after the Chicago Blackhawks traded him away to create some salary-cap space, winger Kris Versteeg is proving his worth again with one of the best offensive seasons of his career. He's on pace for around 50 points, a total he has hit twice in eight years. Versteeg is still just 29 and a proven winner who is thriving in a new situation. 

His value: He's in a group tied for ninth in scoring among the pending UFA scorers. If he can crack the 50-point mark, it would put him in line with the numbers he put up right before the Blackhawks paid him his current four-year deal. He should be able to sign a deal worth a similar salary per season, even if the term is much shorter.

Loui Eriksson, Boston Bruins

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Current salary: $4.25 million cap hit

The stats say: 45 games, 15 goals, 23 assists, 38 points, plus-10, 93 shots

Bottom line: Loui Eriksson has hit the 30-goal mark once and surpassed 70 points in three straight seasons with the Dallas Stars. But that was years ago, and he hasn't been in that offensive realm since 2012. He put up respectable numbers in two previous seasons with the Boston Bruins but has looked a whole lot like the former version of himself this season. The 30-year-old is on pace for 27 goals and 69 points thanks to his role on a line with David Krejci and Matt Beleskey.

His value: His previous couple of seasons with the Bruins were subpar, but flirting with 30 goals and 70 points puts Eriksson right near the top of the list when it comes to pending unrestricted free agents. He is going to cash in huge with a new team with term and dollars.

Mikkel Boedker, Arizona Coyotes

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

Current salary: $3.75 million cap hit

The stats say: 45 games, 12 goals, 21 assists, 33 points, four game-winners, 120 shots

Bottom line: Mikkel Boedker is on a one-year "prove-it" contract after a season that was full of promise but shortened by devastating injury last year. He finished with 45 games played and 28 points, spread evenly in goals and assists. He's healthy and well ahead of that point pace this year. The 26-year-old has speed and finesse and has been improving his game every season.

His value: Because of his age, Boedker might be the top unrestricted free agent not named Steven Stamkos. The product of Denmark is on pace for 22 goals and 60 points, which would both be career highs. It wouldn't be a shock to see him collect $5 million per season on his next deal.

Kyle Okposo, New York Islanders

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Current salary: $2.8 million cap hit

The stats say: 43 games, 11 goals, 22 assists, 33 points, 108 shots

Bottom line: Kyle Okposo is a 27-year-old power forward who has had the luxury of playing alongside one of the NHL's elite centers in John Tavares. But with his current five-year contract set to expire, that relationship could be coming to an end. Okposo is making the most of what could be his final season with the Isles, as he's on pace for more than 20 goals for the second time in three years and third time in his nine-season career.

His value: One of the top targets come July 1, Okposo offers a nice blend of size and speed and at his age is going to be a great addition to a contender that has the kind of salary-cap space needed to reel him in. Brandon Saad signed a six-year deal worth $36 million after being traded this summer, based more on potential than what he's accomplished. Okposo is older and maybe a more accomplished version of Saad and will likely see those kinds of salary numbers on the free-agent market.

Lee Stempniak, New Jersey Devils

Jeff Roberson/Associated Press

Current salary: $850,000 cap hit

The stats say: 47 games, 11 goals, 22 assists, 33 points, plus-four, 95 shots

Bottom line: On his way to a career point total that could eclipse the 60-point mark for the first time, Lee Stempniak may be the soon-to-be UFA with the biggest bump coming this summer. He's been a staple on the top line in New Jersey with fellow Devils Kyle Palmieri and Michael Cammalleri. The 32-year-old could hit 20 goals for the first time since 2010.

His value: Stempniak is going to get a nice raise on the open market after signing a one-year deal with the Devils worth little more than the league minimum. He should get at least a few million if he gets to the 20-60 mark in points and goals.

All statistics via NHL.com and contract information from GeneralFanager.com.