10 contract-year players upping their values in the Stanley Cup Playoffs

Credit: Ivan Barbashev (© Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports)

To a man, every player still competing in the Stanley Cup playoffs will tell you the championship is the ultimate prize. That doesn’t make it the only prize, however. If you’re a contract-year player enjoying a deep postseason run during which you make meaningful contributions, you can score a big new contract on top of a ring. That applies to unrestricted and restricted free agents alike. Just ask 2022 heroes Nazem Kadri and Artturi Lehkonen about that.

Which contract-year players increased their values during the 2023 playoffs to date? Many are still alive and competing in the Eastern and Western Conference Final. A few managed to stand out even in just a round or two. Consider these 10, listed alphabetically. Note that this isn’t just a list of all prominent free agents competing in the playoffs. I would argue that Timo Meier, for instance, didn’t increase his rather significant value. We’re focusing on players who have exceeded their pre-playoff expectations this time around.

Noel Acciari, Toronto Maple Leafs (UFA)

Age: 31
Pos: RW
Current cap hit: $1.25 million

On a team that mostly got bullied by its opponents, Acciari was an exception, delivering thump after thump on the forecheck. He racked up a jaw-dropping 78 hits across 11 games and also chipped in a pair of goals from the third line. Any contending team looking to get heavier should have interest in him.

Frederik Andersen, Carolina Hurricanes (UFA)

Age: G
Pos: 33
Current cap hit: $4.5 million

The knock on Andersen had previously been his inability to deliver in clutch playoff moments. But he has been mostly lights out since taking the reins from Antti Raanta late in the first round, going 5-1 with a .936 save percentage before Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour pivoted back to Raanta for Game 2 against Florida on Saturday after Andersen played seven periods in the four-time marathon of Game 1. Given Andersen’s propensity for getting hurt, he might not find an undisputed No. 1 gig next season, but he has likely played his way out of backup goalie money and at least into platoon money again with his 2023 postseason.

Ivan Barbashev, Vegas Golden Knights (UFA)

Age: 27
Pos: C/LW
Current cap hit: $2.25 million

The Golden Knights paid up with one of their better prospects in Zach Dean to get Barbashev before the Trade Deadline despite the fact he was having a down year with the St. Louis Blues compared to his breakout 26-goal, 60-point effort in 2021-22. While he bounced around Vegas’ lineup a bit in the weeks after being acquired, he’s settled in on a dangerous top line with Jack Eichel and Jonathan Marchessault this postseason. He came up huge in Round 2 with three goals and six points against the Edmonton Oilers. Among players in the Conference Final, only Roope Hintz, Mark Stone and Chandler Stephenson average more 5-on-5 points per 60 than Barbashev in these playoffs. His playmaking has been a major asset for Vegas.

Tyler Bertuzzi, Boston Bruins (UFA)

Age: 28
Pos: LW
Current cap hit: $4.75 million

Who says you can’t up your contract value in a single playoff series? Bertuzzi played as well as any Bruin during their seven-game upset loss, piling up five goals and 10 points, including three multi-point games. He’s the type of player who will attract an overpay on the open market thanks to his blend of offense and scrappy agitation. He carries an injury-prone label, so his strong finish after coming over at the Trade Deadline likely makes a significant difference on his next deal.

Evan Bouchard, Edmonton Oilers (RFA)

Age: 23
Pos: D
Current cap hit: $863,333

The Oilers’ young puck-mover finished the regular season on fire after Tyson Barrie, the right-shot offensive defenseman blocking him, went to Nashville in the Ekholm trade. Bouchard carried that production and then some into the postseason, racking up 17 points in 12 games. Among defensemen with at least 10 games played, he had the second-highest points per game mark of anyone this century aside from 2021-22 Cale Makar. Even if a bridge deal makes the most sense for the Oilers from a cap management perspective, Bouchard has arguably made a case to bypass one at this point.

Evgenii Dadonov, Dallas Stars (UFA)

Age: 34
Pos: LW/RW
Current cap hit: $5 million

Dadonov is one of multiple deadline acquisitions that seemed relatively inconsequential in the moment but have worked out beautifully for Dallas. Dadonov has contributed 10 points in 14 games while forming a strong third line with Jamie Benn and Wyatt Johnston. Dadonov will likely never again reach the heights of his days with the Florida Panthers, but he has proven he can still be an above-average player in this league. The Stars have scored 64.71 percent of the goals in the playoffs with him on the ice. Only two Dallas forwards have a higher on-ice scoring share at 5-on-5.

Max Domi, Dallas Stars (UFA)

Age: 28
Pos: C
Current cap hit: $3 million

Domi is never going to bring the Selke Trophy caliber defensive conscience. But that’s OK, as long as he’s doing what he does best: chip in secondary offense and feistiness. He has been pretty much exactly as advertised, sparking Dallas’ second line, providing 11 points while forming a useful trio with Mason Marchment and Tyler Seguin. Will the mercurial Domi ever land himself a long-term contract again? The fit with Dallas has been nice.

Jesper Fast, Carolina Hurricanes (UFA)

Age: 31
Pos: RW
Current cap hit: $2 million

Fast has been around for 10 years, endearing himself to coaches and teammates with his work ethic and commitment to defense. He’s also popping on the scoresheet this time around for a shorthanded Carolina team. He recorded at least a point in all five games of the second round against New Jersey and has two game-winning goals this postseason. Fast is a third-line talent but has shown he can elevate to second-round work when needed.

Adin Hill, Vegas Golden Knights (UFA)

Age: 27
Pos: G
Current cap hit: $2.175 million

The next-next-next-next-NEXT man up after Robin Lehner (injured), Logan Thompson (injured), Laurent Brossoit (injured) and Jonathan Quick (ineffective) was as important as anyone for Vegas in its second-round triumph over the Edmonton Oilers. The big Hill has sparkled this postseason with a .930 save percentage and, after showing well across a career-high 25 starts in the regular season, has made a strong case to get a look as a starter or at least earn a major share in a platoon somewhere next season.

Luke Schenn, Toronto Maple Leafs (UFA)

Age: 33
Pos: D
Current cap hit: $850,000

The Leafs brought in Schenn for his brute strength and Stanley Cup winning experience. But he was far better than anyone could’ve expected as an actual top-four defender. He was only on the ice for two even-strength goals against versus 10 goals for across Toronto’s 11 games. He was the Leafs’ most reliable presence on ‘D.’ Has he played his way into their long-term plans? Even at 33, he showed enough to warrant a commitment of more than one year going forward.

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