The start of the NHL's free-agent period is still months away (July 1), but general managers are already identifying the key free agents to re-sign. For every team, there's always one player it must retain. Some are superstars, but others include invaluable role players or promising youngsters with star potential.
A number of factors will affect their contract negotiations. There are players eligible for unrestricted free agency. Some are restricted free agents who could use their arbitration rights as leverage for lucrative contracts. Age, skill level and salary cap space are also taken into account.
Here's a list of the one free agent every NHL team must re-sign, their free-agent status and what it could take to sign them.