2016 NHL Free Agents: Stock Watch for Top Players, Post-Draft Edition

With the 2016 NHL draft completed, the start of the unrestricted free-agent market on July 1 is almost upon us. It's time to review the stock of this summer's top free-agent stars, such as Los Angeles Kings left wing Milan Lucic.

Much has changed since we last examined this topic on March 17. Contract negotiations and re-signings, along with regular-season and playoff performance, affected the market value of many on this list.  

Here's an updated stock watch of this year's top NHL unrestricted free agents. You can weigh in with your thoughts on this topic in the comments section below.

Honorable Mention

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Troy Brouwer, St. Louis Blues (Stock Up)

Brouwer's eight goals and 13 points in 20 games during the 2016 playoffs offsets his 39 points in 82 regular-season contests. His physical style and timely postseason production should make him an attractive free-agent target.

Dan Hamhuis, Vancouver Canucks (Stock Down)

On June 25, Sportsnet's Thomas Drance reported the Canucks told the 33-year-old Hamhuis to test the market. An experienced shutdown blueliner, recent injuries have taken a toll. 

Jamie McGinn, Anaheim Ducks (Stock Up)

The versatile, hardworking McGinn reached career highs in goals (22) and points (39) split between the Ducks and Buffalo Sabres. He's been hampered by injuries, but could still be an attractive and affordable free-agent target.

James Reimer, San Jose Sharks (Stock Down)

Reimer, 28, had respectable numbers (2.31 goals-against average, .922 save percentage, three shutouts) in 40 games split between the Sharks and Toronto Maple Leafs. However, he's yet to fully establish himself as a reliable starting goalie. 

Kris Russell, Dallas Stars (Stock Down)

A superb shot-blocking defenseman with good puck-moving skills, Russell netted 19 points in 62 games with the Stars and Calgary Flames. He should be the focus of clubs pursuing experienced blue-line depth. 

Eric Staal, New York Rangers (Stock Down)

Staal's ongoing decline in production (he had his first sub-40-point season since his rookie year in 2015-16) knocked him out of this year's top-10 free-agent list. Acquired in a late-season trade from the Carolina Hurricanes, he compiled only six points for the Rangers in 25 combined regular-season and playoff games. 

Jimmy Vesey, Buffalo Sabres (Stock Up)

Winner of the 2016 Hobey Baker Award as the NCAA's top college hockey player, he's eligible for unrestricted free agency on Aug. 15. If he doesn't sign with Buffalo, he should be a hot late-summer free-agent commodity.

Radim Vrbata, Vancouver Canucks (Stock Down)

After netting 31 goals and 63 points in 2014-15, Vrbata managed only 27 points in 63 games in 2015-16. Though the 35-year-old is long in the tooth, he could be an affordable short-term gamble for teams in need of scoring depth. 

10. Jiri Hudler, Florida Panthers (Stock Down)

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Only a year removed from a career-high 76-point campaign, Jiri Hudler's production fell sharply in 2015-16. Splitting the season between the Calgary Flames and Florida Panthers, the 32-year-old right wing scored 16 goals and added 30 assists for 46 points. 

Despite Hudler's offensive decline, he was still among this year's highest-scoring unrestricted free agents. He's reached or exceeded 42 points six times in his NHL career. 

Hudler's completing a four-year, $16 million contract. Given his age and drop in points this season, he won't get any long-term offers. He might be agreeable to a two-year deal worth around same annual average salary ($4 million) as his previous contract.

Once some of the bigger names on this list are snapped up, clubs seeking experienced forward depth could give Hudler another look. Interested parties could include the Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey Devils. 

9. Brian Campbell, Florida Panthers (Stock Up)

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The recent signings of Keith Yandle by the Florida Panthers (the Panthers had traded for his negotiating rights before unrestricted free agency starts on July 1) and Alex Goligoski by the Arizona Coyotes makes Brian Campbell this summer's top free-agent defenseman. 

Campbell, 37, netted 31 points in 82 games with the Panthers in 2015-16. It was the eighth time he's reached or exceeded 30 points in his NHL career. 

Despite his age, Campbell remains a very good puck-moving defenseman. His 22 minutes and 16 seconds of time on ice per game led all Panthers skaters. With his experience and offensive skills, he would be a solid short-term addition to any defense corps.

Campbell's completing an eight-year, $57.1 million contract. He's at the stage in his career where he won't receive any more lucrative long-term deals. He could get offers of up to two years worth between $3.5-$4 million annually. 

On June 22, the Chicago Tribune's Chris Kuc reported a source said Campbell was interested in returning to the Chicago Blackhawks. He won a Stanley Cup with them in 2010. The Boston Bruins and Edmonton Oilers could also give him consideration. 

8. Mikkel Boedker, Colorado Avalanche (Stock Down)

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On June 22, Sportsnet's Luke Fox reported Colorado Avalanche left wing Mikkel Boedker's reported asking price is a five-year deal worth $5.5 million per season. He's completing a one-year, $3.75 million contract.

Fox speculates Boedker, 26, could hit the open market. However, on June 17, ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun reported agent Jarrett Bousquet said the Avs remained high on his client's list of destinations. 

Boedker has several attributes that should make him an enticing free-agent target. He's young, possesses terrific speed, solid playmaking skills and can skate on either wing. 

For clubs that lose out on the more-notable forwards on this list, Boedker could be a solid plan B option. The Buffalo Sabres, Los Angeles Kings, Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils and Philadelphia Flyers could come calling.  

7. Frans Nielsen, New York Islanders (Stock Up)

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A skilled, hardworking two-way center, New York Islanders center Frans Nielsen could be the most underrated player among this summer's top free agents. 

Nielsen, 32, is a solid playmaker who also works very well on the power play and the penalty kill. He's completing a four-year, $11 million contract and could command upwards of $5 million annually.  Because of Nielsen's age, he will likely receive contract offers of four or five years. 

It's possible he might not reach the open market. On June 25, Newsday's Arthur Staple reported the Islanders and the Nielsen camp "moved closer on a deal, but nothing is certain."

If Nielsen doesn't stay with the Islanders, clubs in need of a skilled two-way center will seek out his services. The Arizona Coyotes, Detroit Red Wings and Minnesota Wild could be among them. 

6. Andrew Ladd, Chicago Blackhawks (Stock Down)

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Limited salary-cap space (the Chicago Blackhawks have just $6.4 million of it, per CapFriendly.com) likely will prevent Chicago from re-signing left wing Andrew Ladd, acquired from the Winnipeg Jets in a late-season trade. 

The 30-year-old Ladd is completing a five-year, $22 million contract. He could seek upwards of $6 million per season on the open market. After reaching a career-best 62 points in 2014-15, his production dipped in 2015-16 to 46 points split between the Jets and Blackhawks. 

Ladd has seven 40-plus point seasons on his resume. As a former captain of the Jets, he has plenty of leadership skills. He also played for two Stanley Cup champions with the Carolina Hurricanes (2006) and the Blackhawks (2010). 

On June 1, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported Ladd admitted the thought of joining the Vancouver Canucks (his hometown team) crossed his mind. He didn't rule out returning to the Jets. However, he also said he wants to compete and win another Stanley Cup. 

On June 21, MLive.com's Ansar Khan suggested Ladd's scoring, size and leadership would make him a good fit with the Detroit Red Wings. 

5. Kyle Okposo, New York Islanders (Stock Up)

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On June 13, ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun reported New York Islanders right wing Kyle Okposo was all but certain to hit the unrestricted free agent market. The 28-year-old should be among this summer's top free-agent talents. 

Okposo has three 20-plus goals seasons on his resume, along with four 50-plus point campaigns. He finished second among Islanders scorers this season with 64 points. 

The Islanders likely consider Okposo too expensive to re-sign. He's completing a five-year, $14 million contract. That's an annual salary cap hit of only $2.8 million, though in actual salary he earned $4.5 million in 2015-16. He's in line for a significant raise.

Okposo could get upwards of $6 million per season on a long-term deal. Clubs in need of a top-line right wing, such as the New Jersey Devils and perhaps the Boston Bruins, could seek him out via free agency. 

4. David Backes, St. Louis Blues (Stock Up)

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St. Louis Blues captain David Backes could be a valuable target in this summer's free-agent market. The versatile 32-year-old forward can play center or right wing, has a good scoring touch and doesn't shy away from physical play. 

Despite his age, Backes' strong playoff performance (14 points in 20 games, including three game-winning goals) proved he still has a lot left to give. 

Re-signing Backes could be difficult for the Blues, as he could seek up to $6 million per season. They have just over $15 million in salary-cap space, per CapFriendly.com. Restricted free agent left wing Jaden Schwartz is due a substantial raise. They could be unwilling to invest too much for too long in their captain. 

A rebuilding club, such as the Arizona Coyotes, could benefit from Backes' leadership and experience. Other suitors could include the Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings and Minnesota Wild.

3. Loui Eriksson, Boston Bruins (Stock Up)

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On June 24, the Boston Herald's Steve Conroy reported Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said he would make one final attempt to re-sign right wing Loui Eriksson. That's understandable, as his potential departure would create a big hole at right wing for the Bruins.

Capable of playing either wing, the 30-year-old Eriksson tallied 30 goals and 63 points in 2015-16. His strong two-way play made him one of the Bruins best players this season.

Re-signing Eriksson, who has exceeded 60 points five times in his NHL career, could prove too costly for the Bruins. He's finishing a six-year, $25.5 million contract and could find multiyear offers worth up to $6 million per season via free agency. 

The Vancouver Canucks could pursue Eriksson. Canucks general manager Jim Benning knows the winger from his days as the Bruins assistant GM. The Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings, Nashville Predators and New Jersey Devils could also bid for him. 

2. Milan Lucic, Los Angeles Kings (Stock Up)

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On June 22, ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun reported the Los Angeles Kings and left wing Milan Lucic were unable to reach agreement on a new contract. As a result, the 28-year-old is heading to free agency on July 1. 

Lucic is completing a three-year, $18 million contract, with an annual average salary of $6 million. The fact the cap-strapped Kings can't afford him suggests he could seek around $7 million annually on a long-term deal. The Kings are projected to have nearly $6.3 million in cap space, per CapFriendly.com. 

As one of the league's best power forwards, Lucic will be in high demand. The 6'3", 233-pounder combines an aggressive physical style with a solid scoring touch. He has four seasons with at least 20 goals and 55 points. 

The Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks could be among the front-runners for Lucic's services. He played for Oilers general manager Peter Chiarelli and Canucks general manager Jim Benning during their days with the Boston Bruins.  

Clubs in need of scoring depth with plenty of cap room, such as the Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings and New Jersey Devils, could also pursue Lucic.  

1. Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning (Stock Up)

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Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos will be the biggest star in the 2016 free-agent market.

The 26-year-old sniper is a two-time winner of the Maurice Richard Trophy. He's exceeded the 30-goal plateau five times, including a 36-goal performance in 2015-16. Stamkos also captained the Lightning to the 2015 Stanley Cup Final.

On June 25, the Associated Press reported Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman insisted he wasn't shutting the door on re-signing Stamkos. He also didn't rule out a sign-and-trade deal.

The Lightning have salary-cap concerns that complicate efforts to retain Stamkos.

Restricted free agent forwards Nikita Kucherov and Alex Killorn are due significant raises this summer (they counted just over $700,000 and nearly $2.6 million against the cap, respectively, per CapFriendly.com). Goaltender Ben Bishop and defenseman Victor Hedman are unrestricted free agents next July, while forwards Tyler Johnson and Ondrej Palat will be restricted free agents.  

If Stamkos hits the market, the rebuilding Toronto Maple Leafs could be keen to sign the Markham, Ontario native. However, they could face competitive bids from the Buffalo Sabres and Detroit Red Wings. Both clubs are close to Stamkos' hometown and have plenty of salary-cap room to make a big splash in the free-agent pool.