2016 NHL Free Agents Whose Stock Is Sinking in the Playoffs

The 2016 NHL playoffs can have an effect on the value of players eligible for free agency this summer. For pending free agents such as Chicago Blackhawks left wing Andrew Ladd, struggling during the postseason or failing to meet expectations could cause their stock to sink. 

Regular-season performance is the most significant factor in determining the value of a restricted or unrestricted free agent. A subpar effort in the playoffs, however, could also affect their bargaining strength in contract negotiations. 

Here's a look at the 2016 NHL free agents whose stock is sinking in the playoffs. Feel free to weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section below. 

Matt Dumba, Minnesota Wild

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Free-agent status: Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba is a restricted free agent without arbitration rights. He's finishing a three-year entry-level contract. 

Regular-season and playoff performance: In 81 regular-season games, Dumba netted 10 goals and 16 assists for 26 points. He had two assists in six playoff games, as the Dallas Stars eliminated the Wild from the opening round. Of the Wild's six blueliners, Dumba had the fewest blocked shots (four), second-lowest average ice time (14 minutes, 30 seconds) and only seven seconds of short-handed ice time.

Analysis: Dumba put up decent regular-season scoring stats. However, he struggled at times in his own zone, especially in the series against the Stars. It must be remembered, however, he's still young (21), and this was his sophomore NHL campaign. Dumba has a promising future, but his play in the 2016 postseason won't help him get a lucrative long-term extension from the Wild.

Kevin Hayes, New York Rangers

Rocky W. Widner/NHL/Getty Images

Free-agent status: New York Rangers right wing Kevin Hayes is a restricted free agent this summer with arbitration rights. The 6'5", 227-pounder is completing a two-year contract with a base salary of $900,000 per season with performance bonuses that could take him up to $3.75 million annually. 

Regular-season and playoff performance: In 79 regular-season games, Hayes scored 14 goals and collected 22 assists for 36 points. During the Rangers' five-game opening-round elimination by the Pittsburgh Penguins, he was held pointless in three games and a healthy scratch for the final two. 

Analysis: Compared to last season's numbers (45 regular-season points and nine points in 17 playoff games), Hayes' 2015-16 performance could be considered a disappointment. Turning 24 on May 8, he still has time to develop into a decent forward. However, his poor play in the 2016 postseason gives management additional ammunition to play contract hardball this summer. 

Jason Zucker, Minnesota Wild

Derek Leung/Getty Images

Free-agent status: Minnesota Wild left wing Jason Zucker is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights this summer. He's coming off a two-year deal worth an annual average salary of $900,250.

Regular-season and playoff performance: Zucker tallied 13 goals and added 10 assists for 23 points in 71 games during the regular season. The 24-year-old also picked up two assists as the Stars knocked the Wild out of the opening round of the playoffs in six games. 

Analysis: After netting 21 goals in 51 games during an injury-shortened 2014-15 campaign, Zucker had a disappointing follow-up season. His playoff effort didn't help matters, finishing among the lowest scoring of the Wild forwards. Even with arbitration, he's unlikely to get much of raise or a lengthy contract extension. 

Ryan Strome, New York Islanders

Wilfredo Lee/Associated Press

Free-agent status: New York Islanders right wing Ryan Strome will be a restricted free agent without arbitration rights this summer. The 22-year-old is completing a three-year entry-level contract. 

Regular-season and playoff performance: Strome had eight goals and 20 assists for 28 points in 71 regular-season games. In six playoff games, he has a goal and three assists for four points. However, he was also a healthy scratch from the Isles' final two games of their opening-round victory over the Florida Panthers. 

Analysis: Strome's regular-season numbers are well below his 50-point sophomore campaign in 2014-15. His inconsistency carried over into the postseason, as all of his playoff points this spring came in just two games. That won't help him at the negotiating table with Islanders management this summer. 

Justin Schultz, Pittsburgh Penguins

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Free-agent status: Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Justin Schultz is slated to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights. He's completing a one-year, $3.9 million contract.

Regular-season and playoff performance: In 45 games with the Edmonton Oilers, Schultz scored three goals and picked up seven assists for 10 points. The Pittsburgh Penguins acquired him on Feb. 27, and the 25-year-old had a goal and seven assists for eight points in 18 games. However, he's only seen one game thus far in the 2016 playoffs. 

Analysis: Any chance Schultz had of boosting his free-agent value this spring may be dashed. He's been regularly scratched for the Penguins roster, and it remains to be seen if he'll see any postseason action. Schultz probably doesn't have a future in Pittsburgh. His lack of playoff action could hurt his value as an unrestricted free agent. 

Jiri Hudler, Florida Panthers

Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

Free-agent status: Florida Panthers right wing Jiri Hudler is due to become an unrestricted free agent in July. He is finishing off a four-year, $16 million contract worth an annual average salary of $4 million. 

Regular-season and playoff performance: Hudler scored 10 goals and 25 assists for 35 points in 53 games with the Calgary Flames. Traded to the Panthers on Feb. 27, the 32-year-old netted six goals and five assists for 11 points in 19 games. He had only one assist, as the New York Islanders knocked the Panthers out of the opening round in six games. 

Analysis: Hudler's regular-season status were well below his career-high 76-point effort in 2014-15. He was also ineffective in the series against the Islanders. His woeful postseason play likely ensures he won't be re-signed. It will also affect his efforts to land a contract of equal or greater value than his current one via free agency.  

Andrew Ladd, Chicago Blackhawks

DAVID BANKS/Associated Press

Free-agent status: Chicago Blackhawks left wing Andrew Ladd is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The 30-year-old is completing a five-year, $22 million contract worth an annual average salary of $4.4 million. 

Regular-season and playoff performance: In 59 games with the Winnipeg Jets, Ladd tallied 17 goals and 17 assists for 34 points. Acquired by the Blackhawks on Feb. 25, he had eight goals and 12 points in his final 19 games. Ladd led the Blackhawks in hits (36) during their opening-round series against the St. Louis Blues. However, he only managed a goal and an assist, as the Blues ousted the Hawks in seven games.

Analysis: Ladd's point total this season was down considerably from his career-high 62 points in 2014-15. His playoff performance could also hurt his efforts to land a significant raise. A Feb. 14 report in the Canadian Press (via TSN.ca) cited a media report claiming Ladd at one point had a six-year offer worth $6 million annually from the Jets. He probably won't get a similar offer in this summer's free-agent market. 

Eric Staal, New York Rangers

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Free-agent status: New York Rangers center Eric Staal will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The 31-year-old will be coming off a seven-year, $57.75 million contract worth an annual average salary of $8.25 million. 

Regular-season and playoff performance: In 63 games with the Carolina Hurricanes, Staal netted 10 goals and 23 assists for 33 points. Traded to the New York Rangers on Feb. 28, he scored three goals and added three assists for six points in 20 games. Staal didn't collect any points in five playoff games, as the Pittsburgh Penguins ousted the Rangers in the opening round. 

Analysis: On April 26, Yahoo Sports' Greg Wyshynski reported Staal wants an opportunity to play a larger role and hasn't ruled out returning to the Rangers or Hurricanes. At this point, that doesn't seem likely. Staal's offensive numbers were well in decline prior to this season. His woeful playoff production with the Rangers did nothing to improve his free-agent value.