10 Contract Year Playoff Pool Draft Targets
When it comes to drafting your playoff pool roster, you have to take everything into account when selecting your squad.
And that should include keeping tabs on who is and isn’t playing for a new contract.
Looking back at last season, Ondrej Palat was a prime example of a player who benefited greatly in free agency from a fantastic showing in the postseason. Any way you slice it, money motivation is a thing – players seem to be driven and inspired by the fact that their output can positively affect their future earnings.
With that in mind, here are 10 contract year playoff pool draft targets:
Vladimir Tarasenko – Forward – New York Rangers (UFA)
In 31 post-trade games with his new team, the sniper tallied eight goals and 21 points. Most importantly, he’s been skating on a line with Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck. Obviously, there’s a ton of potential for that trio to pop off at any waking moment. Furthermore, Tarasenko has buried 41 goals in 90 career playoff games.
Evan Bouchard – Defence – Edmonton Oilers (RFA)
In 19 outings since the trade deadline, the Oakville native has tallied four goals and 18 points. With Tyson Barrie now in Nashville, Bouchard’s the full-fledged No. 1 power play quarterback, which means limitless exposure to the likes of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, among others. Sneaky value here. Bouchard’s been red-hot.
Alex Killorn Forward – Forward – Tampa Bay Lightning (UFA)
Trade deadline onwards, the 33-year-old winger tallied 12 goals and eight assists for 20 points. Additionally, not only has he become a top-six fixture, but he also skates routinely on the first power play unit, too. Slowly but surely, the veteran’s been putting himself in position to get PAID this summer.
Ryan O’Reilly – Forward – Toronto Maple Leafs (UFA)
The 2019 Conn Smythe Trophy winner notched four goals and 11 points in 13 regular season outings with the Maple Leafs. In 64 career playoff games, he’s mustered 22 goals and 56 points. Due to his versatility, O’Reilly could see a bevy of different looks line-wise in the playoffs. There’s no need to reach, but just be mindful of what he’s capable of.
Timo Meier – Forward – New Jersey Devils (RFA)
After a quiet start in New Jersey, the pending RFA really started to find his game offensively late in the regular season. Needless to say, the 26-year-old should feel reinvigorated by the prospects of participating in the postseason for the first time since the 2018-2019 campaign. Don’t sleep on Meier; he’s a stud.
Frederik Andersen – Goalie – Carolina Hurricanes (UFA)
Simply put, a strong showing over the next few months could help to re-establish Andersen’s value ahead of potential unrestricted free agency this summer. In 34 regular-season appearances, the 33-year-old posted a 21-11-1 record to go along with a 2.48 goals-against average, 0.903 save percentage and one shutout.
Michael Bunting – Forward – Toronto Maple Leafs (UFA)
Coming off a second consecutive 23 goal campaign, a strong playoff showing could help to put Bunting in-line for a substantial payday come July 1. Even though Sheldon Keefe jumbled up his lines quite a bit down the stretch, the 27-year-old agitator should see plenty of ice with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. That’s all you need to know.
Ivan Barbashev – Forward – Vegas Golden Knights (UFA)
Since landing in Sin City, the versatile forward has really found his footing offensively with six goals and 16 points in 24 outings. When you look at Barbashev, you can’t help but draw similarities to the Arturri Lehkonen fit with the Colorado Avalanche last spring. Also, it looks like the 27-year-old will start off Round 1 on a line with Jack Eichel and Jonathan Marchessault.
J.T. Compher – Forward – Colorado Avalanche (UFA)
Since January 1st, the 28-year-old has tallied 10 goals and 30 points in 47 outings taking complete ownership of Colorado’s No. 2 centre role. On top of that, Artturi Lehkonen’s back in the fold, which should help to strengthen Compher’s stock even future. Playing predominantly in the bottom-six, the 28-year-old had five goals and eight points in Colorado’s Cup run last spring.
Alexis Lafreniere – Forward – New York Rangers (RFA)
In 81 regular season outings, the former No. 1 overall pick tallied 16 goals and 23 assists jumping back and forth between the bottom-six and the third line. That said, the winger has been prone to showing flashes from time-to-time, and with a new contract hanging in the balance, you never know what he could be capable of.