3 players underwhelming in contract years
A pair of captains and another former 30-goal scorer are underperforming as they prepare to negotiate new deals.
All three forwards are impending unrestricted free agents earning at least $4 million in the final year of their respective contracts, and each has failed to match last season's production.
Here are three players underwhelming in contract years:
Blues' David Backes
The St. Louis Blues captain has 12 goals and 13 assists through 46 games, after notching 26 goals and 58 points in 2014-15, and 57 points in 2013-14.
Backes is on pace for only 44 points, which would be his lowest output over an 82-game schedule since his first full NHL season in 2007-08.
The 31-year-old is still on the positive side of puck possession with a 50.6 even-strength Corsi For percentage, but he's averaging only 2.09 shots per game and scoring at a 12.5-percent clip, the latter of which is bound to regress.
Backes is likely looking to finish his career in St. Louis, but he might be playing his way out of a lucrative deal.
Flames' Jiri Hudler
Jiri Hudler has struggled to build on last season's breakout performance, in which he racked up a career-high 31 goals and 45 assists.
The Czech center has only five goals and 15 assists in 35 games, and his lack of consistency mirrors the Calgary Flames' struggles as a team. Calgary (19-20-2) is two points from the Pacific Division basement after qualifying for the playoffs a season ago.
Hudler is making $4 million in the final year of his deal, and he'll be hard-pressed to earn a raise if he continues at this pace.
Jets' Andrew Ladd
The Winnipeg Jets captain's production is declining at the most inopportune time.
Andrew Ladd has 10 goals and 14 assists in 43 games, and only two goals and four helpers in his last 16 contests. His 50.6 even-strength Corsi For percentage isn't bad, but it's his lowest since his rookie season in 2005-06.
The 30-year-old collected a career-high 62 points last season and topped the 50-point mark in each of the last four 82-game campaigns.
Ladd is one of several Jets with expiring deals, and he may not get what he wants if he doesn't regain his form.