Many NHL teams have plenty to play for down the final stretch of the regular season, trying to get in the playoffs or to improve their positioning, before 16 teams compete for the Stanley Cup.
Some players have a lot at stake, too.
Erik Karlsson, Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky are a few of the potential free agents in the league with a chance to close strong and cash in by re-signing with their teams or on the open market.
The top trio of stars and some other standouts with a lot to gain financially when the season is finished, if not sooner:
KARLSSON
The San Jose Sharks acquired the two-time Norris Trophy-winning
PANARIN
Dynamic scorers like the Russian winger rarely are available in free agency and a team that wants to spend a lot of money over many years may be able to land an 80-point scorer. Panarin has already said he wants to see if there are better options in the summer than staying with the Columbus Blue Jackets, who are simply hoping he helps them win at least a
BOBROVSKY
Big-time goaltenders, like the two-time Vezina Trophy winner, usually stay with their teams and off the market. Like his teammate and fellow countryman, the 30-year-old Bobrovsky will probably want to make the most of his opportunity to make as much money as he can with his next deal while being at or near the prime or his career.
MATT DUCHENE
It was a good time for the
JEFF SKINNER
The
JAKE GARDINER
He has been out for nearly a month with a back injury, but barring it lingering into the playoffs to cast doubt on his long-term health, one of the best
WAYNE SIMMONDS
The winger has not produced much offensively with Nashville, which acquired him from Philadelphia, and yet he will have a chance to make a lasting impression when it matters most in the playoffs. Simmonds has a rare combination of scoring ability, toughness and durability.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
There is an excellent group of players eligible to be restricted free agents, including: forwards Mikko Rantanen, William Karlsson, Brayden Point, Mitch Marner, Sebastian Aho and Matthew Tkachuk along with
___
GAME OF THE WEEK
In a possible Eastern Conference final preview, Tampa Bay played at Washington on Wednesday night. The Lightning beat the defending champions 6-3 on Sunday and they will meet a third time later this month.
___
LEADERS (through Monday)
Goals: Alex Ovechkin (Washington), 48; Assists: Nikita Kucherov (Tampa Bay), 82; Points: Kucherov, 117; Ice time: Ryan Suter (Minnesota), 26:54; Goals-against average: Jordan Binnington (St. Louis), 1.78; Save percentage: Ben Bishop (Dallas), .932.
___
Follow Larry Lage on Twitter at https://twitter.com/larrylage
___
More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Larry Lage, The Associated Press