Free Agents Who Will Benefit Most from Strong 2016 NHL Playoffs Performances

For several players on each of the 16 teams in the 2016 playoffs, there's more at stake besides winning the Stanley Cup. Those who are eligible for unrestricted free agency on July 1, such as Washington Capitals center Mike Richards, could use a strong postseason performance to boost their value on the open market.

The following list ranks 10 NHL free agents who will benefit most from strong showings in this year's playoffs. Their experience, regular-season performance and skills were among the factors used to compile this ranking.

Some players, such as Richards, are trying to get their careers on track. Others, such as Anaheim Ducks left wing Jamie McGinn, hope to make the most of their first-time eligibility for UFA status. 

Did we miss anybody? Let us know in the comments section below. 

10. Dale Weise, Chicago Blackhawks

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Right wing Dale Weise spent most of this season with the Montreal Canadiens, netting 14 goals and 26 points in 56 games. On Feb. 26, Montreal dealt him and winger Tomas Fleischmann to the Chicago Blackhawks. He's had a limited role with the Hawks thus far, netting only one point in 15 regular-season games. 

During his tenure with the Canadiens, the 27-year-old Weise earned a reputation as an energetic checking-line winger capable of elevating his play in the postseason. In 28 playoff games with the Habs, he tallied five goals and five assists. At some point, that experience could prove useful for the Blackhawks. 

Weise is completing a two-year, $2.05 million contract. Another good playoff effort should help him land a better deal via free agency in July. 

9. Roman Polak, San Jose Sharks

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For most of this season, rugged defenseman Roman Polak was among the few bright spots on the rebuilding Toronto Maple Leafs. The 6'0", 237-pound blueliner saw action in only 55 games with the Leafs but still finished second on the team in hits with 220 and blocked shots with 102.

On Feb. 22, Toronto shipped Polak to the San Jose Sharks. He wasted little time in becoming an effective third-pairing defender for the Sharks, contributing 83 hits and 44 blocked shots in just 24 regular-season games. The 29-year-old is durable and plays a smart game within his own zone. He's completing a five-year, $13.75 million contract.

Polak should continue to provide the Sharks with invaluable blue-line depth in the 2016 playoffs. If he plays well, he'll become more enticing for clubs that are seeking an experienced physical defenseman through free agency.

8. Mike Richards, Washington Capitals

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On Oct. 9, 2015, center Mike Richards became an unrestricted free agent following a contract settlement agreement with the Los Angeles Kings. On Jan. 6, he signed a one-year, $1 million prorated deal with the Washington Capitals. 

No longer the dominant two-way center he once was, Richards quickly fit in well on the Capitals' checking lines. Though the 31-year-old tallied only five points in 39 regular-season games, his defensive game remained solid. On March 23, CSN Mid-Atlantic's Chuck Gormley cited Richards' strength in the faceoff circle, particularly on the penalty kill. 

With Richards' best days in the past, he's now playing to extend his NHL career. He won't land an expensive long-term deal this summer; however, a strong playoff performance could make Richards attractive to rival clubs in need of experienced, affordable checking-line depth.

7. Luke Schenn, Los Angeles Kings

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After over three seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers, defenseman Luke Schenn no longer had a future in the City of Brotherly Love. On Jan. 6, the Flyers shipped the 26-year-old impending free agent to the Los Angeles Kings as part of a multiplayer deal. 

Since joining the Kings, Schenn has settled into largely a third-pairing defense role. When necessary, he can also play in a second-pairing role. He's been quite physical this season, with 163 hits and 66 blocked shots in his 43 games with the Kings. 

Schenn is in the final season of a five-year, $18 million contract. It's unlikely he'll find a comparable deal via free agency. Still, a good playoff performance could help him land a reasonable new contract.

6. Sam Gagner, Philadelphia Flyers

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Sam Gagner is a six-time 40-plus-point forward, but injuries and several healthy scratches limited the Philadelphia Flyers center to only 53 regular-season games in 2015-16. As a result, he tallied a career-low 16 points. 

At this stage in his career, the 26-year-old is no longer considered a top-six forward. However, he's been effective in a third-line role. He can play all three forward positions and is a reliable shootout scorer. 

Gagner is completing a three-year, $14.4 million contract. Given the decline in his production this season, he won't find a comparable deal. Making the first appearance of his career in the Stanley Cup playoffs, Gagner must rise to the occasion to make himself attractive in this summer's free-agent market. 

5. Teddy Purcell, Florida Panthers

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After less than two seasons with the Edmonton Oilers, right wing Teddy Purcell was traded on Feb. 27 to the Florida Panthers. The move provided a nice boost to his offensive stats, as he tallied 11 points in his final 15 regular-season games. 

While Purcell isn't a first-line talent, he can be an effective depth winger. The 30-year-old has three seasons with 40-plus points on his resume. Purcell provided invaluable offense to the Panthers' third line. He was particularly effective on the power play, with five of his 11 points coming with the man advantage. 

Purcell is completing a three-year contract worth $4.5 million per season. A good postseason effort with the Panthers could attract interest this summer from teams in need of more scoring punch.  

4. Troy Brouwer, St. Louis Blues

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Acquired via trade last summer from the Washington Capitals, right wing Troy Brouwer had a good campaign with the St. Louis Blues. With 18 goals and 39 points in 82 games, the 30-year-old narrowly missed reaching the 20-goal, 40-point mark for the third straight season and the fourth time in his career. 

Brouwer has made a career out of being a good complementary forward to his more skilled linemates. He's also unafraid to play a physical game; he finished third on the Blues in hits (200), while his 52 blocked shots ranked second among their forwards. His 40 takeaways also placed him among the team leaders in that category. 

Completing a three-year, $11 million contract, Brouwer could prove essential to the Blues' hopes for a Stanley Cup run this spring. He knows what it takes, having won a championship with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010. A strong effort on Brouwer's part could help him land a deal comparable to his current one. 

3. Kris Russell, Dallas Stars

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Defenseman Kris Russell spent nearly three seasons earning a reputation as a shot-blocking specialist with the Calgary Flames. In 51 games with the Flames this season, he finished second on the team in blocked shots with 174. His impending free-agent status led to his being shipped to the Dallas Stars at the Feb. 29 NHL trade deadline. 

Russell has since provided invaluable defensive skills and experience to the Stars' blue line. In his short time in Dallas, the 28-year-old led the club over the remainder of the season in average ice time with 24:01 minutes per game. 

Coming off a two-year, $5.2 million contract, Russell stands to earn a significant raise and a longer term on his next deal. Clubs that are in the market for skilled blue-line depth will watch his efforts in this year's playoffs.

2. Jamie McGinn, Anaheim Ducks

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It was a career year for Anaheim Ducks left wing Jamie McGinn. In 84 games split between the Buffalo Sabres and the Ducks, the 27-year-old enjoyed a career-best 22-goal, 39-point campaign. This was also his first injury-free NHL season. 

A streaky scorer, McGinn compensates with his energetic defensive game. He can play either wing and gives his all on every shift. He quickly adapted to the Ducks, earning a top-six role while netting eight goals and 12 points in 21 games. McGinn is finishing a two-year, $5.9 million contract. 

At 6'1" and 205 pounds, McGinn's size and style of play resemble that of former Duck Matt Beleskey. Like Beleskey last season, a strong playoff performance could prove just as beneficial for McGinn in this year's free-agent market.  

1. Alex Goligoski, Dallas Stars

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Dallas Stars defenseman Alex Goligoski has been somewhat overshadowed by the bigger-name players available in this summer's pool of unrestricted free agents. However, he could rise in prominence with an eye-catching effort in the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs. 

The 30-year-old has been a reliable presence on the Stars blue line. He exceeded 30 points for the fourth time in five seasons. Among the Stars skaters, Goligoski ranked second in blocked shots (159) and average ice time (23:50). He also led them in overall time on ice (1,954:22) and shifts with 2,416.

Goligoski is coming off a four-year deal worth an average salary-cap hit of $4.6 million. While his recent career numbers are commendable, a strong postseason effort will improve his chances of netting a lucrative new deal. 

Player and team stats via NHL.com. Salary info via Cap Friendly.