10 NHL Players Most in Need of New Contracts

As NHL teams pursue unrestricted free agents and attempt to re-sign their restricted free agents, they can also open contract talks with those on their rosters who are eligible for free agency next summer. That includes such notables as Dallas Stars center Jamie Benn and San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns. 

Those eligible for restricted free-agent status next July, such as Tampa Bay Lighting forwards Ondrej Palat and Tyler Johnson, can also be re-signed this summer. 

In this slideshow, we'll examine the 10 players who are most in need of new contracts. Skills, salary, performance and value to their respective teams factored into this compilation.

As always, you can express your views on this topic in the comments section below. 

Honorable Mentions

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Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers

A 51-point sophomore campaign established the 20-year-old Draisaitl as a top-six forward. Further improvement could net him a long-term deal with the Oilers.

Jonathan Drouin, Tampa Bay Lightning

Midway through last season, Drouin was demoted to the minors and appeared to be trade bait. A strong performance in the 2016 playoffs, however, could set the stage for a new contract with the Lightning in the near future. 

Shayne Gostisbehere, Philadelphia Flyers

A finalist for the 2016 Calder Memorial Trophy, Gostisbehere has a bright future with the Flyers. A strong start to 2016-17 could prompt the team to re-sign him before next summer. 

Matt Murray, Pittsburgh Penguins

Murray's play in the 2016 postseason suggests he's the Penguins' starting goalie going forward. However, management could evaluate him for one more season before initiating contract talks.

Artemi Panarin, Chicago Blackhawks

The Blackhawks would probably love to re-sign Panarin, the 2016 Calder Trophy winner. With nearly $58 million invested in just 11 players for 2017-18, the cap ceiling for that season could determine how much he gets. 

Colton Parayko, St. Louis Blues

A pleasant surprise last season for the Blues, Parayko quickly stepped up in his rookie season as a top-four defenseman. A solid sophomore campaign could net him a lucrative new deal. 

David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins

A foot injury limited Pastrnak to 26 points in 51 games in his sophomore season. A breakout performance in 2016-17 could land him a significant pay bump on his next deal. 

Damon Severson, New Jersey Devils

With his all-around skills, Severson has potential as a top-four defenseman. The Devils could see how next season unfolds before getting down to serious contract discussions. 

Tomas Tatar, Detroit Red Wings

Tatar followed up a 29-goal, 56-point performance in 2014-15 with 21 goals and 45 points. Still, he finished second in goals and third in points among Red Wings scorers last season. 

Mika Zibanejad, Ottawa Senators

Over the last four seasons, Zibanejad has steadily developed into a good second-line center. Entering the final season of a two-year contract, the 23-year-old is due for a longer-term deal. 

10. Alex Galchenyuk, Montreal Canadiens

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Contract status and recent performance

Montreal Canadiens center Alex Galchenyuk is entering the final season of a two-year, $5.6 million contract with an annual salary-cap hit of $2.8 million. He also has arbitration rights. 

Last season was the steadily improving Galchenyuk's best thus far. The 22-year-old netted 30 goals and 26 assists for 56 points in 82 games. 

Analysis

In a season that went so wrong for the Canadiens, Galchenyuk was among the few bright spots. He tied with Max Pacioretty for the club lead in goals and finished second in points. 

Consistency was an issue for Galchenyuk earlier in his career, but his 2015-16 performance suggests he's overcome that problem. Having established himself as the Habs' first-line center, he could be on his way to bigger and better things.

Projection

Galchenyuk's current contract is a short-term bridge deal. As a result of his steady improvement, he'll seek significantly more on his next deal. Considering how the Canadiens' production fell off a cliff last season, they cannot afford to stiff their most promising young scorer. 

The Habs could try re-signing him to a five-year deal worth around $5.5 million annually. If they wait another season and Galchenyuk tops his current career-best numbers, it could cost them more. 

9. Jonathan Huberdeau, Florida Panthers

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Contract status and recent performance

Florida Panthers left wing Jonathan Huberdeau is entering the final season of a two-year, $6.5 million contract with an annual salary-cap hit of $3.25 million. The 23-year-old will have arbitration rights. 

Huberdeau enjoyed a career-best performance in 2015-16. He reached the 20-goal plateau for the first time and finished with 59 points. 

Analysis

Huberdeau enjoyed tremendous chemistry on the Panthers' top line with center Aleksander Barkov and right wing Jaromir Jagr. He tied for third in team scoring with Barkov. He also tied for third in power-play points (13) with Vincent Trocheck.  

Winner of the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2013, Huberdeau exceeded 50 points in each of the last two seasons. He's become a key part of the Panthers' rise to playoff-contender status. 

Projection

Huberdeau's current contract is a short-term bridge deal. He's already proved he's worth far more.

Another 50-plus-point season could ensure a pay raise comparable to Barkov's six-year deal worth an annual cap hit of $5.9 million. 

8. Tyler Toffoli, Los Angeles Kings

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Contract status and recent performance

Los Angeles Kings forward Tyler Toffoli is entering the final season of a two-year, $6.5 million contract with an annual average salary of $3.25 million. He also has arbitration rights. 

A center converted to right wing, the 24-year-old Toffoli tallied a career-high 31 goals and 58 points in 82 games last season. 

Analysis

In just three full NHL seasons, Toffoli has steadily grown into an important member of the Kings roster. He led them in goals last season and was among their leaders in game-winning tallies. He has invaluable playoff experience, having helped the Kings win the 2014 Stanley Cup. 

Toffoli also plays a solid defensive game, ranking among the Kings leaders in takeaways last season with 32. He can be lethal offensively on the penalty kill, netting five short-handed goals in 2014-15. 

Projection

With over $58 million invested in salary-cap payroll for 2017-18, the Kings must be prepared to give Toffoli a substantial raise. As a young talent who came up through their system, they should ensure he's kept in the fold for a long time.

It could cost them around $5.9 million per season on a five-year deal to re-sign him now. Another strong performance in 2016-17 could only make him more expensive to retain. 

7. Evgeny Kuznetsov, Washington Capitals

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Contract status and recent performance

Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov is entering the final season of a two-year, $6 million contract with an annual average value of $3 million. The 24-year-old also has arbitration rights. 

Kuznetsov enjoyed a breakout performance in 2015-16. In 82 games, he scored 20 goals and added 57 assists for 77 points. 

Analysis

Though he's only played two full NHL seasons, Kuznetsov quickly blossomed into an impact player for the Capitals. Last season saw a 40-point improvement over his 2014-15 rookie campaign. He also led the Capitals in assists and points. A versatile forward, he can play at all three forward positions.

His 2016 playoff numbers (only two points in 11 games) were disappointing, but he should improve in future postseason play. Given his swift rise and chemistry on the top line with superstar Alexander Ovechkin, more big seasons are likely ahead for Kuznetsov.

Projection

Capitals management could prefer to wait another season to determine his true value. If Kuznetsov continues playing on the Capitals top line, he'll want to be paid as a first-line player.

Another 70-plus-point season could result in his asking price approaching $6 million annually on a long-term deal. 

6. Ondrej Palat, Tampa Bay Lightning

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Contract status and recent performance

Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Ondrej Palat is a restricted free agent next July with arbitration rights. The 25-year-old is entering the final season of a three-year, $10 million contract with an annual salary-cap hit of $3.33 million. 

In 62 games in 2015-16, Palat scored 16 goals and assisted on 24 others for 40 points. He followed up with 10 points in 17 playoff games. 

Analysis

Despite being hampered by injury last season, Palat still put up decent numbers. He's a year removed from a 63-point effort in 2014-15. Since finishing as a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2013-14, he's quickly established himself as a key member of the Lightning.

In addition to being a reliable and creative top-six playmaker, Palat also has solid defensive instincts. Though he missed 20 games last season, he was still among the Lightning's leaders in takeaways (32) and tied for the team lead in short-handed goals with two.

Projection

Along with Tyler Johnson and Nikita Kucherov, Palat is part of the Lightning's successful Triplets Line. Considering his value to the club's success over the last two seasons, a hefty raise on a lengthy contract extension will be necessary.  

As he's only two years away from unrestricted free agency, a six- to seven-year deal worth upward of $6 million annually could be required to keep him in Tampa Bay. 

5. Brad Marchand, Boston Bruins

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Contract status and recent performance

Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand enjoyed a career-best performance in 2015-16, scoring 37 goals and 61 points in 77 games.

The 28-year-old has one season remaining on a four-year, $18 million contract. The average annual salary is $4.5 million. He will be eligible for unrestricted free agency.

Analysis

Marchand has spent his entire seven-year NHL career with the Bruins. In that time, he's become one of their most reliable scorers, exceeding 20 goals five times and 50 points three times. Last season, he was the Bruins' leading goal scorer. He also led them in short-handed points with six. 

An agitating winger, Marchand seems to revel in driving opponents to distraction with his gritty antics. Though small by NHL standards (5'9", 181 lbs), he doesn't shy away from physical play. He's also a reliable two-way forward. 

Projection

In recent years, the departure of several key players (Milan Lucic, Tyler Seguin, Loui Eriksson, Reilly Smith, Johnny Boychuk) via trade and free agency hurt the Bruins' depth. They cannot afford to lose Marchand. 

Retaining Marchand, however, will be expensive. It could take a seven-year contract worth $6 million per season to keep him in Boston. 

4. Tyler Johnson, Tampa Bay Lightning

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Contract status and recent performance

Tampa Bay Lightning center Tyler Johnson is slated to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights in July 2017. He's entering the final season of a three-year, $10 million contract with an annual average salary of $3.33 million. 

In 69 games in 2015-16, Johnson tallied 14 goals and 24 assists for 38 points.

Analysis

Injury hampered the 25-year-old Johnson's regular-season stats last season. In 2014-15, he netted 72 points in 77 games. He's also a proven playoff performer, with 23 points in 26 games in 2015 and 17 points in as many games in 2016. 

Despite his 5'8", 185-pound frame, Johnson's become a reliable scoring center. A finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2014, he's become a key part of the Lightning roster. He's a clutch scorer, finishing second in game-winning goals (seven) during the regular season. He led the team in postseason winners with three. 

Projection

Johnson's only two years away from unrestricted free-agent eligibility. Given his value to the Lightning, it would be a good idea to re-sign him now to a long-term extension.

A six- or seven-year deal worth $6 million per season would be a reasonable offer for Johnson. If he stays healthy next season and exceeds his career-best numbers, he could seek even more.

3. Ryan Johansen, Nashville Predators

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Contract status and recent performance

Nashville Predators center Ryan Johansen is slated to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights next July. The 23-year-old is entering the final season of a three-year, $12 million contract. The average annual salary is $4 million. In actual salary for 2016-17, he'll earn $6 million. 

In 80 games split between the Predators and Columbus Blue Jackets, Johansen scored 14 goals and added 46 assists for 60 points. Of those points, 34 came in 42 games with the Predators.

Analysis

Johansen is a big (6'3", 218 lbs), talented playmaker. He's the top-line center the Predators need if they hope to take the next step toward Stanley Cup contention. Though his production can be streaky at times, he still netted 60 or more points in each of the last three seasons. 

Determining how much to pay him and for how long could be difficult. It'll cost the Predators $6 million just to qualify his rights for 2017-18. His contract negotiations with the Blue Jackets two years ago got contentious, to the point that he missed training camp.

Projection

The Predators must avoid the difficulties with Johansen the Blue Jackets encountered. They must ensure they don't end up going to arbitration, as that could lead to his departure via unrestricted free agency in the near future. 

They could go one of two routes. They could offer Johansen a $6 million annual cap hit on a front-loaded seven-year deal or $7 million per season on a two- or three-year deal. 

2. Brent Burns, San Jose Sharks

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Contract status and recent performance

San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns is entering the final season of a five-year, $28.8 million contract. The annual average salary is $5.76 million. He is eligible next July for unrestricted free agency.

Burns had a career-best performance in 2015-16. The 6'5", 230-pounder scored 27 goals and collected 48 assists for 75 points in 82 regular-season games. 

Analysis

Burns, 31, is among the league's dominant defensemen. He finished second in scoring last season among NHL blueliners and third among Sharks scorers. His efforts landed him on the 2016 NHL Second All-Star Team.

A finalist for the 2016 James Norris Memorial Trophy, he was also among the big reasons the Sharks advanced to the 2016 Stanley Cup Final. He finished second among postseason scorers with 24 points. 

Projection

The Sharks are expected to re-sign Burns, but that's going to be an expensive undertaking. His prominence among the league's top defenders suggests he'll want to be paid accordingly. That could mean a raise to around $8 million per season.

Term will also be an issue. Given his age, the Sharks could try to keep his new deal to five years. Burns, however, could seek seven. 

1. Jamie Benn, Dallas Stars

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Contract status and recent performance

Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn is entering the final season of a five-year, $26.5 million contract. His annual salary cap hit is $5.25 million. 

In 2015-16, Benn tallied 41 goals and 89 points in 82 games. He was the Stars' leading scorer and finished second among the NHL's scoring leaders. Benn was a finalist for the Hart Memorial Trophy and was named to the 2016 NHL First All-Star Team. 

Analysis

Benn, who turns 27 on July 18, was also named to the 2014 First All-Star Team and won the Art Ross Trophy in 2015. Since his NHL debut, his stats have steadily improved. He's also a proven playoff performer, with 15 points in 13 postseason games in 2016.

As team captain, Benn leads by example and is a complete player. He led the Stars with 156 hits and 65 takeaways. Averaging just over 20 minutes of ice time per game, he led all Stars forwards in that category. 

Projection

Benn is an established NHL superstar and the Stars' franchise player. As a result, he's in line for a significant pay raise.

An eight-year contract worth around $10 million annually could be in the works. The Stars should move quickly to get him to re-sign now, rather than have his contract status become an unnecessary distraction throughout 2016-17. 

Player stats via NHL.com. Salary info via Cap Friendly. Additional info via Hockey-Reference.