These unrestricted free agents are expected to significantly increase their salary when they officially hit the market July 1st.
When teams can begin signing free agents July 1st, expect some questionable contracts to be doled out. Players’ market value isn’t necessarily determined by just their previous statistical performance, but rather what they could bring to the table within the signing teams’ system. The market value has already been set in some cases:
- Casey Cizikas: Five years, $3.35 million AAV
- Cam Ward: Two years, $3.3 million AAV
- Alex Goligoski: Five years, $5.475 million AAV
- Keith Yandle: Seven years, $6.35 million AAV
- Andrew Shaw: Six years, $3.9 million AAV
Now in the negotiating phase, free agents and player agents will look to drive up their next contract’s value because, well, who wouldn’t want to make more money when they can. Some free agents will take hometown discounts. Others will ask their hometown to match the highest offer.
Before pens strike paper and more signatures are signed than at a post-game meet-and-greet, let’s take a look at the top ten players than stand to receive the highest raise on their next contract.
10. James Reimer | San Jose Sharks
2015-16 Salary: $2,000,000
Projected 2016-17 Salary: $3,000,000
Projected Raise: 50%
Arguably the best free agent goalie on the market, James Reimer will get a $3 million per year contract that will allow him to compete for the starting job in a 1B role.
9. Kris Russell | Dallas Stars
2015-16 Salary: $2,600,000
Projected 2016-17 Salary: $4,000,000
Projected Raise: 54%
While some argue that Kris Russell’s high blocked shots numbers are an indicator of his lack of offensive skills, he’ll get paid to play on a team’s second defensive pairing next season.
8. Matt Martin | New York Islanders
2015-16 Salary: $1,300,000
Projected 2016-17 Salary: $2,000,000
Projected Raise: 54%
Likely on his way out of Brooklyn, Matt Martin has established himself as a solid fourth line player that can play against opponents’ top line and still contribute on offense.
7. Steven Stamkos | Tampa Bay Lightning
2015-16 Salary: $5,500,000
Projected 2016-17 Salary: $10,000,000
Projected Raise: 82%
Never heard of him.
6. Brett Connolly | Boston Bruins
2015-16 Salary: $1,025,000
Projected 2016-17 Salary: $2,000,000
Projected Raise: 95%
Still relatively young, Brett Connolly still has perceived upside. Some team will give him $4 million over two years to prove he belongs in a fringe second/third line role.
5. Tomas Fleischmann | Chicago Blackhawks
2015-16 Salary: $750,000
Projected 2016-17 Salary: $1,750,000
Projected Raise: 133%
After signing a late-offseason deal with the Canadiens last season, Tomas Fleischmann will likely sign multi-year contract with a decent salary bump. Perhaps he’ll reunite with Bruce Boudreau in Minnesota?
4. Lee Stempniak | Boston Bruins
2015-16 Salary: $850,000
Projected 2016-17 Salary: $2,000,000
Projected Raise: 135%
Come on. The guy had 51 points last season—tied for sixth most among unrestricted free agents. Surely, he’ll get paid, right? Right?
3. Carter Hutton | Nashville Predators
2015-16 Salary: $750,000
Projected 2016-17 Salary: $2,000,000
Projected Raise: 167%
After playing second fiddle to Pekka Rinne in Nashville last season, Carter Hutton is perhaps the best backup goalie on the market this offseason. A team with a young starter (San Jose, Anaheim, St. Louis) will sign him to a nice contract this summer.
2. Dale Weise | Chicago Blackhawks
2015-16 Salary: $1,025,000
Projected 2016-17 Salary: $2,750,000
Projected Raise: 168%
Though Dale Weise did not make much of an impact after arriving in Chicago, his season in Montreal showed that he can put up solid numbers in a third line role. Teams looking to add scoring and grit will be licking their chops when July 1st hits.
1. David Schlemko | New Jersey Devils
2015-16 Salary: $625,000
Projected 2016-17 Salary: $2,250,000
Projected Raise: 260%
You saw this coming, right? After signing with the Devils to jumpstart his career, David Schlemko could capitalize on an impressive season in New Jersey. His mobility, speed, and offensive mindset will be appealing to a few teams this offseason.
Others expected to get a decent raise: Troy Brouwer, Loui Eriksson, Darren Helm, Andrew Ladd, Frans Nielsen, Kyle Okposo.
