Pending NHL Free Agents Set to Cash in Big This Summer
The NHL's unrestricted free-agent period doesn't begin until July 1, but that isn't stopping speculation over what the top potential UFAs could make. Stars such as Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos and Boston Bruins right wing Loui Eriksson (pictured above) will see significant pay raises, either from their current clubs or via free agency.
In determining what the players on this list could receive, it's important to examine their respective performances, including their stats for this season, as well as their current contracts. Other factors, including experience, leadership and value to their current clubs, must also be taken into consideration.
The following slideshow lists the 10 pending NHL UFAs set to cash in big this summer. Feel free to weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section below.
10. Jiri Hudler, Calgary Flames
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Current contract and 2015-16 stats: Calgary Flames center Jiri Hudler is completing a four-year, $16 million contract with an annual salary-cap hit of $4 million. After 48 games, the 32-year-old has nine goals and 23 assists for 32 points.
Why he'll cash in big: Despite the decline in Hudler's play this season, he's only a year removed from a career-best 76-point performance. He's a versatile, disciplined forward who's reached 40-plus points in five seasons. He also won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy in 2015 and a Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings in 2008.
Projected contract: Hudler's struggles this season and his age could affect his free-agent value. Still, he could receive a three-year contract worth upward of $5.5 million per season from a club seeking experienced offensive depth.
9. Frans Nielsen, New York Islanders
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Current contract and 2015-16 stats: New York Islanders center Frans Nielsen is completing a four-year, $11 million contract with an annual salary-cap hit of $2.75 million. After 55 games, the 31-year-old has 15 goals and 20 assists for 35 points.
Why he'll cash in big: Nielsen is a highly skilled two-way center who's particularly strong on the power play and penalty kill. He's reached or exceeded 43 points four times and is on pace to do so again this season. Nielsen's an invaluable part of the Islanders lineup, but he will be expensive to re-sign.
Projected contract: Given Nielsen's experience and skills, he could receive as much as $5.5 million per season. Because of age, however, he'll likely get a four-year deal.
8. Mikkel Boedker, Arizona Coyotes
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Current contract and 2015-16 stats: Arizona Coyotes right wing Mikkel Boedker is on a one-year, $3.75 million contract. After 56 games, the 26-year-old has 13 goals and 24 assists for 37 points.
Why he'll cash in big: Boedker could be one of the youngest players potentially available via this summer's unrestricted free-agent market. He is among the Coyotes' leading scorers and has steadily improved over the past three seasons. He's a swift-skating playmaker with two-way ability who can skate on either wing.
Projected contract: On Jan. 6, Arizona Sports' Craig Morgan reported Boedker's agent, Jarrett Bousquet, believed his client would've made $5 million per season on the open market last year before signing his current contract. Given the winger's youth and his ongoing improvement, he could pull in a seven-year (eight if he re-signs with the Coyotes) deal worth $5.75 million annually.
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7. Loui Eriksson, Boston Bruins
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Current contract and 2015-16 stats: Boston Bruins right wing Loui Eriksson is completing a six-year, $25.5 million contract worth an annual salary-cap hit of $4.25 million. After 56 games, the 30-year-old has 19 goals and 25 assists for 44 points.
Why he'll cash in big: Eriksson is among the Bruins' leading scorers. He's a skilled, reliable forward who contributes on the power play as well as the penalty kill. He also rebounded well from a concussion two seasons ago to become a key member of the Bruins' lineup. Eriksson could reach the 70-point mark for the fourth time in his career.
Projected contract: During an appearance on NBCSN on Feb. 3, TSN's Bob McKenzie (stick tap to Chris Nichols of Today's Slapshot) projected Eriksson could receive a five- or six-year deal worth upward of $6 million annually. He'll certainly get around $6 million, but his age will likely limit him to a five-year deal. Still, a $30 million contract will be a substantial increase over his current deal.
6. David Backes, St. Louis Blues
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Current contract and 2015-16 stats: St. Louis Blues center David Backes is completing a five-year, $22.5 million contract with an annual salary-cap hit of $4.5 million. After 58 games, the 31-year-old has 13 goals and 17 assists for 30 points.
Why he'll cash in big: Backes is among the best two-way centers in the league. The 6'3", 221-pounder leads by example. He can score, hit, fight and play a solid game at both ends of the rink. He's reached or exceeded 50 points five times and could reach that mark again this season.
Projected contract: On Jan. 24, Jeremy P. Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported multiple sources claimed Backes rejected a three-year offer from the Blues worth approximately $5.5 million per season. It could cost them four years at $6 million per to keep him in the fold. He's bound to get that much on the open market.
5. Kyle Okposo, New York Islanders
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Current contract and 2015-16 stats: New York Islanders right wing Kyle Okposo is completing a five-year, $14 million contract with an annual salary-cap hit of $2.8 million. After 53 games, the 27-year-old has 15 goals and 29 assists for 44 points.
Why he'll cash in big: Okposo's annual cap hit is far below what a winger of his caliber makes. He is a strong-skating, consistent scorer who's reached or exceeded 40 points five times. Okposo could reach a career-high 70 points this season. He plays effectively on the first or second lines.
Projected contract: Given Okposo's offensive skills and consistency, he'll earn a significant raise on his next contract. He could receive up to $6.5 million per season on a seven-year deal.
4. Andrew Ladd, Winnipeg Jets
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Current contract and 2015-16 stats: Winnipeg Jets left wing Andrew Ladd is completing a five-year, $22 million contract, with an annual salary-cap hit of $4.4 million. After 55 games, the 30-year-old Ladd has 13 goals and 17 assists for 30 points.
Why he'll cash in big: Despite the decline in Ladd's numbers this season, he's only a year removed from a career-best 62-point campaign. He also has three 50-point seasons on his resume. Ladd played for two Stanley Cup champions with the Carolina Hurricanes (2006) and Chicago Blackhawks (2010). He's still a solid all-around winger with leadership ability.
Projected contract: On Dec. 14, Tim Campbell of the Winnipeg Free Press reported Ladd was seeking a six-year, $41 million contract ($6.83 million annual cap hit) from the Jets. If they won't pay it, another club probably will via free agency.
3. Keith Yandle, New York Rangers
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Current contract and 2015-16 stats: New York Rangers defenseman Keith Yandle is completing a five-year, $26.25 million contract with an annual salary-cap hit of $5.25 million. After 56 games, the 29-year-old has four goals and 27 assists for 31 points.
Why he'll cash in big: With the Winnipeg Jets re-signing Dustin Byfuglien, Yandle becomes the top defenseman potentially available in this summer's free-agent market. He's a smooth-skating blueliner with strong offensive skills. Yandle's reached or exceeded 40 points five times and is on pace to do so again this season.
Projected contract: Given his offensive skills, Yandle will receive considerable interest if he hits the open market from teams seeking a skilled puck-moving defenseman. Considering Byfuglien's new deal is five years at $7.6 million annually, Yandle could receive a five- or six-year deal for around $7 million.
2. Milan Lucic, Los Angeles Kings
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Current contract and 2015-16 stats: Los Angeles Kings left wing Milan Lucic is completing a three-year, $18 million contract with an annual salary-cap hit of $6 million. After 54 games, the 27-year-old has 14 goals and 22 assists for 36 points.
Why he'll cash in big: The 6'3", 233-pound Lucic is among the league's top power forwards. He's as effective with his physical style as he is with his offense. He has five seasons with 40-plus points on his resume and is on pace this season to exceed that total again. Lucic has considerable playoff experience, winning a Stanley Cup with the Boston Bruins in 2011.
Projected contract: Lucic told ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun (via NHL.com) he hopes to re-sign with the Kings, but it could prove expensive to retain him. The cost could be around $7 million annually on a seven- or eight-year deal. He'll certainly get that much salary, if not more, on the open market.
1. Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning
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Current contract and 2015-16 stats: Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos is completing a five-year, $37.5 million contract with an annual salary-cap hit of $7.5 million. After 55 games, the 26-year-old has 22 goals and 20 assists for 42 points.
While he'll cash in big: Stamkos is a superstar and potentially the biggest name available in this summer's free-agent market. He's a two-time winner of the Maurice Richard Trophy. Since 2009-10, he's led the Lightning in goals five times and in points three times. This season, he's once again among their leading scorers.
Projected contract: Stamkos could seek a deal comparable to those of Chicago Blackhawks forwards Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane (eight years, $84 million) from the Lightning. If he hits the open market, he could command a seven-year deal worth over $11 million annually.
Players stats (as of Feb. 15) via NHL.com and salary info via Cap Friendly.
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