By Krishna Bhagnathsingh, The Hockey News intern

With the NHL season entering the closing stretch, pending UFAs are looking to secure big paycheques on their next deal. 

Mitch Marner (Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images)

Here’s a look at the top 10 UFA skaters – ranked by points this season – and three UFA goalies, who will look for new deals this summer.

TOP 10 UFAs (based on points this season)

1. Mitch Marner, RW, Toronto Maple Leafs (74 points)

Expiring contract: 6 years, $65.41 million

Marner, who recently recorded his 500th career assist (and added one more against the Rangers on Friday), has been the Leafs’ runaway leader in helpers since arriving in the NHL in 2016-17. He’s more than 150 assists ahead of the next-closest Leafs player during that time (Morgan Rielly, 343 assists since 2016-17). With Toronto already paying Auston Matthews a $13.25-million cap hit until 2028, William Nylander receiving $11.5 million per season through 2032 and John Tavares also being a UFA this summer – it’ll be interesting to see if, and when, Marner gets a raise, and how the Leafs will manage those contracts.

2. Mikko Rantanen, RW, Carolina (69 points)

Expiring contract: 6 years, $55.5 million

Everyone knows that Rantanen is skilled, but questions the jury is out on whether or not the Canes will be prepared to pay for his prodigious talent when it comes time to put pen to paper? He’s in line to make $10 million-plus per season on his next contract, but will the Canes want to throw that much at him? Carolina has very little cap space to play with, so the Hurricanes have to decide whether to free up some money and give Rantanen a rich new deal, trade him at the deadline or let him walk this summer if the funds aren’t available.

3. Matt Duchene, C, Dallas Stars (60 points)

Expiring contract: 1 year, $3 million

Duchene has shown the NHL that he ages like fine wine, as he’s currently producing at just over a point-per-game pace this season for the Dallas Stars. The Stars must be happy with his performance and could definitely look to bring him back on a longer deal with a bigger AAV. Simply put, teams will pay for point-per-game players.

4. Mikael Granlund, C, Dallas Stars (51 points) 

Expiring contract: 4 years, $20 million

Another veteran on the Stars' roster shows that Dallas is willing to invest in older players who are still able to perform. Granlund can provide depth scoring while keeping up with the youngsters. If you don’t believe it, he’s currently the fourth leading point-scorer on the Stars – just one point less than his 21-year-old teammate Wyatt Johnston.

Three NHL Teams That Are One Trade Away From Being Flat-Out Scary The NHL’s trade deadline is <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/news/nhl-rumor-roundup-brayden-schenn-linked-to-leafs-plus-updates-on-islanders-and-flyers">one week away</a>, and there are already some Stanley Cup contenders nobody should want to face in the playoffs. But some others are nearly there.

5. Nikolaj Ehlers, LW, Winnipeg Jets (51 points)

Expiring contract: 7 years, $42 million

Ehlers has been a key contributor to one of the Jets' best seasons since the franchise’s return to Winnipeg. The Jets would be foolish not to re-sign Ehlers to a new deal. If Ehlers is enjoying Winnipeg, he could think about taking a team-friendly deal, given that Kyle Connor is set to become a UFA after next season and will command a big-money extension if he re-signs with the Jets.

6. John Tavares, C, Toronto Maple Leafs (49 points)

Expiring contract: 7 years, $77 million

As mentioned above, the Leafs will have to try to find a way to keep Marner and Tavares in the same dressing room next season. Tavares could take a team-friendly deal to stay with Toronto. But if push comes to shove, GM Brad Treliving will have to decide if he wants both forwards or if the team is ready to let one out the door this summer.

7. Brad Marchand, LW Boston Bruins (47 points)

Expiring contract: 8 years, $49 million

There’s no doubt Marchand wants to retire as a Bruin, but Boston is up tight against the cap. GM Don Sweeney will have to decide if he wants Marchand back on a cheaper deal, or if he wants to move the Bruins captain at the trade deadline or let him walk during the summer.

8. Jason Zucker, LW, Buffalo Sabres (44 points)

Expiring contract: 1 year, $5 million

Zucker would be a great addition to any team that’s looking for depth this summer. The veteran winger has had a solid season for the struggling Sabres and has recorded seven points in his last five games. He’s a relatively cheap middle-six winger for anyone in need.

9. Jakob Chychrun, D, Washington Capitals (39 points)

Expiring contract: 6 years, $27.6 million

With veterans T.J. Oshie and Nicklas Backstrom on LTIR for the rest of the year with their own hefty contracts, that could lead to both players being off the team, leaving the money to re-sign Chychrun to a multi-year deal with a higher AAV. Credit has to be given to him for his play during this unexpectedly successful season the Caps are enjoying.

10. Ryan Donato, C, Chicago Blackhawks (40 points)

Expiring contract: 2 years, $4 million

Donato is third in points on a struggling Blackhawks team that sits second-last in the league. He can perform as a decent depth piece on a team and isn’t afraid to drop the gloves if needed. It will be interesting to see whether the Blackhawks keep him around to help Connor Bedard, or if they opt to cash in at the deadline.

Top Three UFA Goalies (based on wins this season)

1. Adin Hill, G, Vegas Golden Knights (21 wins)

Expiring contract: 2 years, $9.8 million

Hill has been a factor for a Golden Knights team that holds down first place in the Pacific. He’s a top-10 goalie in wins this season, so it wouldn’t be a shock if Vegas inks him to a new multi-year deal north of $5 million per season.

NHL Trade Deadline Needs: Vegas Golden Knights And Vancouver Canucks With the NHL trade deadline one week away, contenders and teams on the playoff bubble are looking to put the finishing touches on their rosters for their run toward the Stanley Cup playoffs.

2. Karel Vejmelka, G, Utah Hockey Club (16 wins)

Expiring contract: 3 years, $8.2 million

Vejmelka has been Utah’s No. 1 goalie this season. Despite having 15 losses to go with his 16 wins, Utah has a solid young core and Vejmelka has complemented them nicely at times this season. In his NHL debut in 2022, he made 32 saves, the fourth-highest debut total in franchise history.

3. Charlie Lindgren, G, Washington Capitals (13 wins)

Expiring contract: 3 years, $3.3 million

Lindgren has mostly been the backup to Logan Thompson during the Caps' amazing season. If Washington chooses not to bring him back, another team in need of a proven goalie could benefit from his services. Lindgren was arguably Washington’s MVP in 2023-24 and he’s a remarkable value at $1.1 million per season.

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