With the NHL playoffs right around the corner, one interesting subplot to keep an eye on is the status of some of the top pending unrestricted free agents based on how they perform in the playoffs. While the window is there for the bigger names to improve their perceived value, there is also a chance they could hurt their value by underachieving. Here is a closer look at the top five pending UFA’s in the NHL.
Kevin Shattenkirk, Washington Capitals
Shattenkirk is undoubtedly considered the top pending UFA as a talented puck-moving defenseman entering the prime of his career. With 42 points in 61 games with St. Louis, Shattenkirk was among the Blues leading scorers and the league’s top scoring defensemen. Shattenkirk has the potential to boost his stock even more if he can help Washington finally get over the hump and contend for a Stanley Cup. Shattenkirk will reportedly ask for as much as $7 million per season on a free agent deal so now is the time for him to prove that he is worth that kind of money.
T.J. Oshie, Washington Capitals
The Capitals made it clear they are all-in to win now with the addition of Shattenkirk but he isn’t the only pending UFA looking to prove his worth with a strong performance this postseason. Oshie is on pace to finish the regular season with 30 goals and 55 points but Washington needs him to perform at a high level in the playoffs in order to contend for a Stanley Cup. Oshie’s all-around ability makes him that much more dynamic of a player and it will be interesting to see if he performs to his peak potential in the postseason with a chance to boost his UFA stock even more.
The Capitals have to make their run at the Stanley Cup this year because they figure to lose a number of key players this offseason. The makeup of their team could be very different entering the 2017-18 NHL season.
Alexander Radulov, Montreal Canadiens
Radulov has 15 goals and 46 points in 64 games this season and he is hoping to cash in with a long-term extension in Montreal. However, Radulov is reportedly asking for a seven-year deal with the Canadiens so it would be understandable if the organization were hesitant to sign him. Radulov has already proved he can play at a high level in the NHL but he will need a strong finish in order to prove he deserves a substantial payday this offseason.
Joe Thornton, San Jose Sharks
Thornton might have preferred his contract expired a year ago after he scored 19 goals and finished with 82 points in 82 games. Thornton has been among the game’s most productive centers since he arrived in San Jose but he has just 45 points in 68 games this season and he will turn 38-years-old in the summer. Thornton is one of the most respected veteran centers in the NHL and it will help that he is still a quality playmaker and faceoff man. The Sharks could opt to pay him a little more money on a short-term contract with reports that a one-year deal could be on the table. However, it will be up to Thornton to determine where the best fit for him is and he could definitely boost his UFA stock with a strong postseason run.
Ben Bishop, Los Angeles Kings
Bishop went from being the No. 1 goalie on a Stanley Cup contender in Tampa Bay to a backup netminder on a team that isn’t in a playoff spot right now in Los Angeles. The 2016 Vezina trophy finalist struggled by his standards behind a Lightning team that dealt with injuries all season but he has recorded 35 wins or more in each of the previous three seasons and could be a hot commodity on the open market. Bishop will need to take advantage of his spot starts as the backup goalie behind Jonathan Quick with an opportunity to solidify his status as the top free agent netminder on the open market heading in to this offseason. There will be a market for a good goaltender, though.
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