While the remaining 4 teams battle it out for the ultimate prize of the Stanley Cup, many teams are beginning to take their offseason plans into consideration. Here are the top 5 UFA’s that will be sought after come this summer.

Cam Ward

Age: 32

Position: Goaltender

2015-16 Salary Cap Hit: $6.5 million

A 2006 Stanley Cup winner and Conn Smythe recipient, Cam Ward has been the undisputed number 1 goalie in Carolina for 11 years. Ward was on his way to an impressive season until he suffered a concussion in January. Despite the injury Ward put up a respectable record of 23-17-5 with a GAA of 2.41 and save percentage of .909%. His high price tag might be too much for the Hurricanes to continue to roll with and Ward could certainly find a contract due to the thin goalie market this summer. Ward has also made it clear that he would like to remain a Carolina Hurricane if possible.

“I’ve made it clear that this is where I’d like to be,” Ward said at the end of the season. “I’m proud to have been a Hurricane and to have been here for as many years as I have.”

Whether Ward stays with Carolina or moves on to a different team, it is likely he’ll have to take a decent pay cut.

Keith Yandle

Age: 29

Position: Defense

2015-16 Salary Cap Hit: $5.25 million

Yandle was not moved at the 2015 Trade Deadline despite plenty of interest from teams such as the Dallas Stars. Yandle was undoubtely the best defenseman for the New York Rangers aside from Captain Ryan McDonagh in the 2015-16 season. Yandle’s 47 points rank him first in points for defenseman on the team and 4th overall in team scoring. New York faces a predicament due to having to sign RFAs Chris Kreider, Kevin Hayes and J.T Miller and may not have enough money to keep Yandle. Unless a trade can be made to alleviate some cap space the Rangers and Yandle may part ways come July 1st.

David Backes

Age: 32

Position: Center

2015-16 Salary Cap Hit: 4.5 million

David Backes is currently leading the St. Louis Blues to their first Conference Finals in 15 years, but that doesn’t mean upper management isn’t already figuring out what they would like to do with Backes come the offseason. The reliable 50 point per season player has been with the Blues since 2006-07 and been their captain since 2011. However, this may be Backes’ last chance to get a major contract before he hangs up the skates and may want a significant raise during the offseason. He has been one of the Blues most valuable players this postseason registering 12 points in 14 games, with three game winners as well. Backes could command significant money on the open market but it will be up to GM Doug Armstrong whether he keeps Backes or lets him walk on July 1st.

Kyle Okposo

Age: 28

Position: Right wing

2015-16 Salary Cap Hit: $2.8 million

Kyle Okposo has become a key piece in the Islanders success throughout the past few seasons. Becoming a regular 20 goal scorer and playing with linemate John Tavares, Okposo was second on the New York Islanders in points with 64 in 79 games, only behind his star center linemate. With an extremely affordable salary cap hit Okposo will be looking for a big pay day and according to Newsday’s Arthur Staple, Okposo could be looking for an annual salary of $7 million. The Islanders have their hands full having to sign other players such as Matt Martin and Frans Nielsen and up to this point in time, there have been no contract talks between Islanders’ GM Garth Snow and Okposo’s agent. It is likely that Okposo will test free agency but Tavares has openly said that he hopes Okposo will remain with the team and come back next season.

Steven Stamkos

Age: 26

Position: Center

2015-16 Salary Cap Hit: $7.5 million

This simply couldn’t be a UFA list without mentioning Steven Stamkos. Rumors have circulated all season long about whether Stamkos will stay with Tampa Bay and resign or test free agency and go anywhere that he chooses. In his 569 games played in the National Hockey League Stamkos has registered 562 points with 312 of those being goals. He is one of the most pure goal scorers in this generation in company with players like Alex Ovechkin. GM Steve Yzerman and Stamkos’ agent agreed to put contract talks aside until the end of the season but with young players like Nikita Kucherov and Jonathan Drouin stepping up in the playoffs will Yzerman let Stamkos walk and let a new face of the franchise take over. Others speculate that with the Lightning making the Stanley Cup Finals last year and the Eastern Conference Finals two consecutive years in a row, Stamkos will sign and continue to contend with Tampa Bay. Regardless of what decision Stamkos makes he will be getting a well justified pay raise of at least $8 or $9 million per season. Fans will have to wait until July 1st to see what happens with one of the most sought after free agents in the last few years.

Do you agree with this list? Disagree? Make sure to tweet @FromTheFaceoff what you think!