2017 Free Agents with the Most to Gain in the Stanley Cup Playoffs

Some of this summer's top NHL free agents, such as Washington Capitals defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk, will get big raises regardless of their performance in the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs. Others, such as San Jose Sharks left wing Patrick Marleau and Minnesota Wild center Martin Hanzal, could need strong postseasons to land a lucrative new contract.

Regular-season accomplishments play a significant factor in contract negotiations. However, playoff exploits can help to improve a player's free-agent value.

An aging star, such as Marleau, must prove he's worthy of a lucrative contract. A player becoming an unrestricted free agent for the first time, such as Hanzal, will try to cash in while in his playing prime. Restricted free agents, such as Nashville Predators left wing Viktor Arvidsson, could also benefit from a solid postseason effort. 

Here's a look at 10 NHL free agents with the most to gain in the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs. 

10. Kris Russell, Edmonton Oilers

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Kris Russell's first foray into unrestricted free agency last summer failed to yield a lucrative new contract. The veteran defenseman ultimately signed a one-year, $3.1 million deal with the Edmonton Oilers. His signing was overshadowed by the Oilers' acquisitions last summer of Milan Lucic and Adam Larsson. Still, the 29-year-old played a key role in the club's improvement in 2016-17.

A shot-blocking specialist, Russell led the Oilers this season in that category (216). A solid penalty killer, he was also their leader in shorthanded time on ice per game (two minutes and 18 seconds) and finished second among Oilers blueliners in takeaways (36). He was instrumental in the Oilers reducing their shots against per game from 31.1 in 2015-16 to 29.5 this season. 

While Russell helped stabilize the Oilers' blue line this season, a strong playoff effort could improve his free-agent value. Through five games in Edmonton's opening-round series with the San Jose Sharks, he led the Oilers in short-handed ice time per game (4:23) and blocked shots (22). With that kind of reliability, Russell could land a four-year deal worth $4 million per season. 

9. Colton Parayko, St. Louis Blues

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In just two NHL seasons, defenseman Colton Parayko established himself as a reliable top-four defenseman with the St. Louis Blues. The 6'6", 226-pounder followed up his 33-point rookie debut in 2015-16 with 35 points in 81 games, averaging 21 minutes and 11 seconds of time on ice per game. 

Parayko's ice time ranks third among the Blues over a full season. The 23-year-old is also second in blocked shots (117).  He is completing a two-year entry-level contract with an annual salary-cap hit of $858,750. He is also eligible for salary arbitration. 

Considering Parayko's value to the Blues, he's due for a big pay raise on his next contract. They could try to sign him to a short-term bridge deal with the promise of a longer term on his next contract. If Parayko seeks a lengthy extension, a vigorous postseason could improve his chances. 

8. Karl Alzner, Washington Capitals

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Washington Capitals defenseman Karl Alzner tends to be overshadowed by teammates and fellow unrestricted free agents Kevin Shattenkirk and T.J. Oshie. While those two will garner considerable attention if they hit the open market in July, the 28-year-old Alzner's defensive abilities should make him an attractive commodity.

A big (6'3", 218 lbs), sturdy stay-at-home defenseman, Alzner excels in a physical shutdown role. During the regular season, he led the Capitals in hits (162) and shorthanded time on ice per game (three minutes and three seconds). He's completing a four-year contract worth an average annual value of $2.8 million.

Alzner could bolster his free-agent value with a robust postseason. Unfortunately, he missed Games 3 and 4 of the Capitals opening-round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs with an upper-body injury. A lengthy absence could affect his chances to secure an expensive new deal this summer. 

7. Mika Zibanejad, New York Rangers

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Acquired last summer from the Ottawa Senators, center Mika Zibanejad's first season with the New York Rangers was a difficult one. A broken leg suffered on Nov. 20 sidelined the 24-year-old for two months. He struggled to regain his scoring touch but improved down the stretch, with 13 points in his final 19 games. 

Zibanejad is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights. He's completing a two-year deal with an annual salary-cap hit of $2.625 million. He finished this season with a respectable 37 points in 56 games and is a year removed from his career-best of 21 goals and 51 points with the Senators. 

Completing a short-term bridge deal, Zibanejad could seek a longer term with the Rangers. His injury-shortened campaign, however, gives them an incomplete window to assess his performance. If he can carry over his solid regular-season finish into the 2017 postseason, it should help him at the bargaining table. 

6. Patrick Eaves, Anaheim Ducks

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Patrick Eaves enjoyed a career season in 2016-17. In 79 games split between the Ducks and Dallas Stars, he tallied 33 goals and 19 assists for 51 points. All were career-best single-season totals for the veteran right wing. In the Ducks' opening series sweep of the Calgary Flames, Eaves netted three points and led the team in hits (12).

Completing a one-year, $1 million contract, Eaves appears well-situated for a lucrative new contract. However, he turns 33 on May 1. Despite his numbers during the regular season, his age ensures he won't get a lengthy new deal. It could also affect his efforts to land a big pay raise. 

A strong outing in the 2017 playoffs, however, could alleviate those age concerns. He's fit in well with the Ducks following his trade from the Stars, bringing them a welcome boost to their offense. Should he help Anaheim stage a lengthy playoff run, it could earn him a two- or three-year deal worth $3 million annually. 

5. Justin Schultz, Pittsburgh Penguins

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After struggling through over three seasons with the Edmonton Oilers, defenseman Justin Schultz was dealt late last season to the Pittsburgh Penguins. He helped the Penguins win the Stanley Cup, earning a one-year, $1.4 million contract for 2016-17.

Schultz had difficulty playing up to expectations as a puck-moving blueliner with the Oilers, but he regained his form this season with the Penguins. The 26-year-old reached career bests in goals (12), assists (39) and points (51), finishing fifth among the Pens' leading scorers. He was also second in blocked shots (116) and fourth in time on ice per game (20 minutes and 26 seconds)

A restricted free agent, Schultz has become a key member of the Penguins defense corps. His solid regular season should earn him a lucrative new deal. A strong playoff effort could push his new salary toward $5 million per season. 

4. Martin Hanzal, Minnesota Wild

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On Feb. 26, the Wild acquired center Hanzal as part of a trade with the Arizona Coyotes. A skilled two-way forward, the 6'6" 226-pounder was brought in to buttress the Wild's depth at center over the remainder of the regular season and into the playoffs. 

Hanzal, 30, is due to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Joining the Wild gives him a terrific opportunity to showcase his skills for potential suitors in this summer's free-agent market. He's completing a five-year deal worth an annual average salary of $3.1 million. 

The Wild are struggling in their opening-round series against the St. Louis Blues and face elimination on Saturday. However, Michael Russo of StarTribune.com reported Thursday that Wild head coach Bruce Boudreau believes Hanzal's been solid as their third-line center. That should help his free-agent stature regardless of the series outcome.   

3. Viktor Arvidsson, Nashville Predators

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Arvidsson made significant strides as a scoring winger this season with the Predators. After netting 16 points in 56 games as a rookie in 2015-16, the 24-year-old tied for the club lead in goals (31) with Filip Forsberg and in points (61) with Ryan Johansen. 

A restricted free agent, Arvidsson is completing his entry-level contract. However, he qualifies for salary arbitration. Given his impressive development in 2016-17, he's in line for a substantial raise over his current salary-cap hit of $631,667. 

Despite Arvidsson's stats this season, Predators management could attempt to re-sign him to an affordable two-year bridge deal with the promise of a more lucrative deal after that. A strong showing in the playoffs, however, could sway the Preds into locking him in on a long-term contract. 

2. Patrick Marleau, San Jose Sharks

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The Sharks have two aging stars in Marleau and center Joe Thornton slated for unrestricted free agency in July. While Thornton's value as a top-line center should earn him a new short-term deal with the Sharks, the 37-year-old Marleau's future appears less certain. 

Marleau finished the regular season with 27 goals and 46 points. It's the 14th time he tallied 20-or-more goals and the 17th time he's reached the 40-point plateau. However, he had a slow start to this season before regaining his scoring touch. He's no longer a first-line player and at times skated on the third or fourth lines.  

Coming off a three-year, $20 million deal, Marleau's big-money contract days are over. A solid effort in the playoffs would prove he still has more to give. It could earn him a one-year bonus-laden contract (similar to Florida Panthers winger Jaromir Jagr) with the Sharks. 

1. Alexander Radulov, Montreal Canadiens

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After spending the past four seasons playing in Russia, Alexander Radulov signed a one-year, $5.75 million contract last summer with the Montreal Canadiens. The 30-year-old had little difficulty readjusting to the NHL pace. In 76 regular-season games, he led the Habs in assists (36) and finished second in points with 54. 

Radulov's age, however, could hinder his efforts to secure a lucrative long-term deal. He also entered this postseason with a lingering stigma over an incident during the 2012 playoffs with the Nashville Predators. On April 17, Howie Kussoy of the New York Post recalled the Predators suspended Radulov for two games for breaking curfew and reportedly drinking with a teammate. 

So far, Radulov's been the very model of a team player. After five games in the Canadiens' opening-round series with the New York Rangers, he leads them in scoring with six points. Given his consistency and maturity, a solid postseason effort should erase those lingering doubts. He could be in line for a five-year deal worth over $6 million annually. 

All stats (as of April 20, 2017) via NHL.com. Salary info via Cap Friendly.