Top 5 available free-agent wingers
The Stanley Cup playoffs are slowly but surely winding down, with a very busy offseason drawing nigh.
For the majority of teams out of contention, it's never too early to look at the upcoming free-agent class with a view to improving their chances of success - or simply getting to the cap floor.
Here's a look at the top five available wingers this summer.
Martin St. Louis
Martin St. Louis is by far the most decorated free-agent winger. A veteran of 1,134 NHL games, St. Louis has recorded 391 goals and 642 assists, and has won a Stanley Cup as well as the Hart and Art Ross trophies, all of which came as a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning back in 2004. He also added a second Art Ross Trophy to his mantle in 2013.
At 39, he's also the oldest available winger, and, depending on how the New York Rangers fare in their quest for a championship, he may retire or return to the Big Apple on a short-term deal.
Justin Williams
Mr. Game 7 appears set to hit the open market after the Los Angeles Kings followed up a Cup win in 2014 by failing to qualify for the 2015 playoffs.
Justin Williams was an integral part of the Kings' latest championship squad, scoring nine goals and adding 16 assists en route to Conn Smythe honors as playoff MVP. He followed that up with an 18-goal, 23-assist performance this past regular season, and, at age 33, may have run his course in Los Angeles.
A veteran of 918 games, Williams still has much left to offer, and could be a top target for teams with Cup aspirations.
Chris Stewart
A much-talked-about target prior to this season's trade deadline, Chris Stewart's contract year was a bit of a dud. He scored only 14 goals in 81 games split between the Buffalo Sabres and Minnesota Wild and was limited in the playoffs due to a separated shoulder. He finished the season on the sidelines after failing to score in eight postseason games.
Still, Stewart retains his reputation as a power forward with an ability to put the puck in the net, averaging 23 goals per 82 games since entering the NHL in 2008. There's a widespread belief - warranted or not - that he's got another level to his game, and he'll likely command much attention and a healthy payday come July 1.
Drew Stafford
Drew Stafford is another player who was able to escape Buffalo - with much better results than Stewart.
Upon being dealt to the Winnipeg Jets, Stafford fit right in with his new mates, registering nine goals and ten assists in 26 regular-season games and contributing a goal and an assist in four playoff contests.
Stafford, 29, has a nose for the net. He tallied a career-high 31 goals in 2010-11 and has averaged 21 per 82 games over the course of his career, the majority of which was spent in Buffalo.
Ultimately, he appears destined to re-sign with the Jets, but could be wooed by a team willing to up the ante on a long-term, high-paying contract.
Matt Beleskey
Matt Beleskey earns the last spot on this list not for what he's accomplished, but due to the belief that he's just now finding his game at the NHL level.
Drafted 112th overall by the Anaheim Ducks in 2006, Beleskey saw his highest average ice time in 2014-15 at 14:29, scoring 22 goals in 65 games - on pace for 28 in a full season. He also fired a career-high 145 shots on goal. He's followed up this breakout performance with five goals and 25 shots through ten playoff games in the Ducks' current postseason run.
Whether this is a blip or the new norm is yet to be determined, but bet on the Ducks or one of the other 29 clubs coughing up a nice deal based on his production this year.