A first look at the top 15 potential NHL free agents in 2016

Kevin Allen | USA TODAY Sports

Anyone who looks online at the house that center Anze Kopitar owns in Los Angeles will conclude that his intention is to re-sign with the Kings. Although no deal is in place, the expectation is that he and the Kings eventually will agree to a new contract after the holidays.

But even if Kopitar stays in Los Angeles, intriguing players will be available next summer. Here are USA TODAY Sports' preliminary top 15 potential 2016 unrestricted free agents:

1. Center Steven Stamkos (Tampa Bay Lightning): The prevailing wisdom is Stamkos will re-sign, but that seems far less of a lock than it did last summer. The man has 287 goals in his first 522 NHL games and he is a quality captain and a model citizen. There are many reasons to re-sign him. But there are some issues as well. Stamkos prefers to play center. He has made that clear. Coach Jon Cooper likes to sometimes use him on the wing. Is that a major issue? It's up to Stamkos to decide. Also, the Lightning have to manage their salary cap carefully because their talented youngsters will soon be demanding raises. Presumably, the Lightning would like Stamkos to take a slight discount under the banner of making sure he has talented players around him. But here's what we know: It's likely multiple teams would be willing to give him $10 million per season if he becomes a free agent.

2. Defenseman Dustin Byfuglien (Winnipeg Jets): The Jets would like to keep Big Buff, but he might be curious about what he could get in the marketplace. There is a league-wide fascination with his booming shot from the point, his 260-pound frame and his intimidation factor. Plus, he has always been popular with teammates. Byfuglien has always preferred defense to forward. He probably wouldn't be interested in signing with a team that viewed him strictly as a forward.

3. Left wing Andrew Ladd (Winnipeg): He would draw a long line of suitors if he declares his free agency. He's a steady, consistent, gritty left wing with a Stanley Cup ring (earned with the Chicago Blackhawks). He's a leader and at 30, he's still playing at a high level. The Jets are expected to make a strong effort to retain him.

4. Left wing Milan Lucic (Los Angeles): He sure seems to be born to play for coach Darryl Sutter. But he's not re-signed yet, allowing us to speculate that he would be quite popular next summer if he is a free agent. He's 6-3, 235, is capable of netting 25 goals per season. He's an intimidating presence. Here's another major factor: He's 27. The Kings will try to keep Lucic, but Kopitar's new contract could force them to make hard decisions about who stays and who goes. The Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks could be very interested in Lucic if he becomes a free agent.

5. Center David Backes (St. Louis Blues): Every team in the NHL is looking for a big center, especially one capable of scoring 25-plus goals and piling up an impressive number of penalty minutes every season. Backes is also a natural leader and a personable guy who instantly would become popular with fans. He plays honest and tough. He would fit well with either an offensive- or defensive-minded team.

6. Center Eric Staal (Carolina Hurricanes): Don't completely rule out the 'Canes re-signing him. Staal has enjoyed playing in Carolina. But the Hurricanes might not have the budget to pay him what he could earn in the marketplace. There are two ways to look at Staal: You can believe that his production will continue to decline as it has over the past two seasons, or you can choose to believe that he might be close to the Staal of old if he were playing with a contender. He did have 53 points in 48 games in 2012-13.

7. Defenseman Keith Yandle (New York Rangers): NHL general managers are constantly looking for defensemen who can effectively quarterback a power play and there aren't many more proficient than Yandle. He can be the trigger man on a quality offensive team. At 29, he still should be able to register 40 to 50 points.

8. Forward Frans Nielsen (New York Islanders): He might be the NHL's most underrated player. Most opponents understand how valuable he is to his team, but he has always been short on fan recognition. He's a smart, full-service player who can help his team as a penalty killer, defensive forward or offensive contributor. Every championship team has a player like Nielsen, a guy who simply can fulfill any mission he is assigned. Nielsen is 31, but he still could contribute 50 points if given the right role.

9. Right wing Kyle Okposo (Islanders): He has 26 points in 31 games this season and is a big-bodied forward whose best seasons might still be in front of him. At 27, he has 53 goals in his past 162 NHL games. If the Islanders make a bold move to try to improve themselves before the playoffs, Okposo (because of his contract status) is the asset they might move with Travis Hamonic (trade request) to make it happen.

10. Right wing Loui Eriksson (Boston Bruins): He is helping his value by performing well this season. He had 22 goals last season and he's on a pace for 30 this season.

11. Defenseman Alex Goligoski (Dallas Stars): The well-rounded defenseman is averaging 23 minutes, 38 seconds of ice time per game. He can block shots, help the transition game and play sound defense. Depending on the role he's given, Goligoski could contribute 35 to 40 points.

12. Center Darren Helm (Detroit Red Wings): Scouts have long had a fascination with Helm's raw speed, even though his progress as an NHL player has been undermined by injuries. If you go after Helm, you do so believing that his speed will make your offense more dangerous. He seems to be among the league leaders in breakaways, but he never has been a 20-goal scorer at the NHL level. He had 15 last season.

13. Defenseman Kris Russell (Calgary Flames): He's 28 and is among the NHL's top shot blockers. He's a perfect fit for a team looking to cut down on shots reaching the net. He's playing more than 20 minutes a game.

14. Forward Jiri Hudler (Calgary): His numbers have sagged a bit this season, but he is only a season removed from registering 76 points. He's a skilled, smallish versatile forward who could spice up a team's top six.

15. Defenseman Jason Demers (Dallas): He has been playing more than 20 minutes per game for much of this season. He's 27 and his steadiness could upgrade a defense. He's an underrated player.

Honorable mention: Brian Campbell (Florida Panthers), Dan Hamhuis (Vancouver), Teddy Purcell (Edmonton Oilers), Braydon Coburn (Tampa Bay), Troy Brouwer (St. Louis).