NHL Playoffs 2011: Shea Weber, Ville Leino and Players Fighting for a Contract

The 2011 NHL playoffs are at hand and there are plenty of players who realize that their time with the current team may be drawing to a close.

While they are fighting for their team, these players are also fighting for a contract and a position in the NHL next season.

This is make-or-break time for a lot of players and it could be the precursor for a big payday.

All salary cap numbers through CapGeek.com.

Either way, expect the best from these players if they want to get paid. Enjoy!

10. Nikolay Zherdev

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PHILADELPHIA - MARCH 03: Nikolay Zherdev #93 of The Philadelphia Flyers in action against the Toronto Maple Leafs during their game on March 3, 2011 at The Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Nikolay Zherdev is one of the most enigmatic players in the league. In 56 games with the Flyers this season, he only had 22 points and was very inconsistent with his play.

While the Flyers signed him to a fairly risk-free contract, he has underperformed. The deal is worth $2 million for one season.

From what Zherdev showed this season, few teams will look to spend a lot of money on his services. One way he can turn that perception around would be a big playoff series production-wise.

9. Simon Gagne

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BOSTON, MA - MARCH 03: Simon Gagne #12 of the Tampa Bay Lightning looks to pass in the second period against the Boston Bruins on March 3, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Simon Gagne had almost the exact same statistical season this year with the Tampa Bay Lightning as he did last year with the Philadelphia Flyers, with 17 goals, 23 assists and 40 points each season.

Gagne stepped it up in the playoffs last season for the Flyers and was a big part of their run to the Stanley Cup.

While he is in the last year of a five-year deal worth $5.25 million annually, he will most certainly take a pay cut and it seems like he is playing for a job on a team besides the Lightning.

8. Roman Hamrlik

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MONTREAL, CANADA - APRIL 5: Roman Hamrlik #44 of the Montreal Canadiens takes down Jonathan Toews #19 of the Chicago Blackhawks during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on April 5, 2011 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Canadiens defeated the Blackhawks 2-

At 37 years old, Roman Hamrlik is still one of the top defensive defenders in the league.

Hamrlik has made $5.5 million annually for the past four seasons with the Canadiens and looks to turn playoff success into one last big payday.

With 34 points, 66 hits and 192 blocked shots, it is obvious Hamrlik can still play and there will be teams looking for his services when he becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

7. Bryan McCabe

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UNIONDALE, NY - MARCH 31: Bryan McCabe #28 of the New York Rangers skates against the New York Islanders at the Nassau Coliseum on March 31, 2011 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Bryan McCabe is still one of the most capable offensive defenders in the league and a long run with the Rangers could buy him a contract with the team.

Even if the Rangers pass on his services, teams will line up for a solid defenseman who can be the captain of a team’s power play.

While he made about $5.75 million annually, McCabe will take a pay cut, but depending on where he signs, it might not be that big of a cut.

6. Eric Brewer

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BOSTON, MA - MARCH 03: Eric Brewer #2 of the Tampa Bay Lightning takes the puck in the third period against the Boston Bruins on March 3, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Bruins defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1. (Photo by E

While the Tampa Bay Lightning are one of the most potent offensive teams in the league, they left a lot to be desired on the defensive side of the puck.

That is, until they traded for veteran defender Eric Brewer. Brewer has added grit and defensive responsibility that weren’t there before.

Brewer has been an excellent leader on and off the ice and an effective run in the playoffs will ensure he stays in Tampa Bay for a long time.

5. James Wisniewski

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NEWARK, NJ - APRIL 02: James Wisniewski #20 of the Montreal Canadians skates in front of Brian Rolston #12 of the New Jersey Devils during the first period of an NHL hockey game at the Prudential Center on April 2, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by

Even with missing seven games with injuries and being injured in a few more, James Wisniewski still managed 51 points this season for the Canadiens and the Islanders.

Wisniewski is one of the best offensive defenders on the market and a potent postseason with the Canadiens would be good resume filler for the upcoming contract discussions.

While he made about $3.25 million last season, he will be in line for a nice pay raise from a team looking for a blue-line sniper who can play solid in his own zone.

4. Ilya Bryzgalov

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GLENDALE, AZ - APRIL 01: Goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov #30 of the Phoenix Coyotes is introduced before the NHL game against the Colorado Avalanche at Jobing.com Arena on April 1, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Avalanche defeated the Coyotes 4-3 in an overti

Ilya Bryzgalov is a big part of the success in Phoenix, and again this year he will be the key to a deep playoff run.

The Coyotes ownership issues are one of the biggest reasons that Bryzgalov’s future is still cloudy because his play has been stellar over the last three-plus seasons.

If the Coyotes go deep in the playoffs, the management will be forced to pay him, but if they lose in the first round, odds are that Bryzgalov walks away from Phoenix.

3. Corey Crawford

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MONTREAL, CANADA - APRIL 5: The puck goes wide past Corey Crawford #50 of the Chicago Blackhawks during the NHL game against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on April 5, 2011 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images)

Corey Crawford has made a real case this season for the Calder Memorial Trophy for the Rookie of the Year and the Blackhawks have another goalie choice to make at the end of the season.

Oh, Chicago! After having to let Stanley Cup-winning goaltender Antti Niemi walk because of salary cap issues, they face another potential goaltending star and his impending payday.

At some point the franchise will have to make a commitment to a goalie long-term and while Crawford is a restricted free agent, teams will place offers for his services.

2. Shea Weber

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DENVER, CO - MARCH 31: Shea Weber #6 of the Nashville Predators warms up prior to facing the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center on March 31, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. Rinne had 27 saves as the Nashville Predators defeated the Colorado Avalanche 3-2.

Shea Weber is a restricted free agent at the end of the season and teams will be lined up around the block to give him and the Nashville Predators anything they want.

While playing in all 82 games this season, Weber scored 16 goals and added 32 assists for 48 points, while administering 211 hits and blocking 113 shots.

Weber is one of the most complete players in the NHL and teams will be going after his contract, no matter how many first-round picks they have to give the Predators for his services.

1. Ville Leino

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 12: Ville Leino #22 of the Philadelphia Flyers skates against the Atlanta Thrashers on March 12, 2011 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Ville Leino of the Philadelphia Flyers makes $800,000 annually. I can safely say he will get a raise.

After tying the rookie record for most points in the Stanley Cup playoffs held by Dino Ciccarelli, Leino scored 19 goals and added 34 assists this season for the Flyers.

Leino has been a big success with the Flyers and a good point run in the playoffs this year could make him too expensive for the Flyers to keep.