The looming expansion draft and a salary cap that doesn’t project to go too much higher than where it is this season makes this a less than ideal time to be entering the final season of a contract.

But come July 1, general managers always find a way to spend millions and millions to improve their teams in free agency because it’s the only way to do it without giving up an asset.

One agent suggested that the expansion draft may even free up money for his clients.

“You know there’s going to be good players exposed because teams want to get rid of those contracts,” said the agent of one prominent free agent on Tuesday. “It’ll be interesting to see if some of these high-end guys go. What if you expose a guy and he doesn’t go? There are some weird X factors this spring.”

The loss of Brent Burns was a big one for the free-agent class of 2017, one that doesn’t have quite as much depth as last year's. But there are some interesting names on the list all the same -- starting with a man playing his way into "legend" status at the end of his career.

Here’s an early look at the unrestricted free-agent class of 2017, including updates on where negotiations stand with each player's current team:

1. Joe Thornton, C, San Jose Sharks

He gets this top spot out of respect, but the other 30 (still getting used to that) NHL teams shouldn’t get excited about their prospects of landing him in free agency this offseason.

He and the Sharks aren’t all that far off on a deal, and the two sides tend to get new contracts done without breaking much of a sweat. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Thornton sign another three-year deal for close to what he’s earning now, a deal that averages $6.75 million per season. Thornton loves coach Peter DeBoer, he loves San Jose and he has a strong working relationship with GM Doug Wilson.

There’s no rush on this front, and there may be a benefit for both sides to wait and perhaps give the Sharks more flexibility at the trade deadline.

But the smart bet is on Thornton re-upping with the Sharks, on a deal that would keep him in San Jose as he finishes up his 30s.

2. Kevin Shattenkirk, D, St. Louis Blues

There have been no contract talks on this front during the season, and considering the Blues' financial situation and deep blue line, that’s to be expected. Shattenkirk is the best defenseman available in free agency, and it’s not really all that close.

He’s everything teams are looking for in a defenseman in today’s NHL. He’s a strong puck mover. He’s a right-handed shot. He’ll still be only 28 when he hits the market.

GM Doug Armstrong has already shown a willingness to let his unsigned players walk in free agency, so a Shattenkirk trade at the deadline isn’t necessarily a sure thing, even though his name has been in the rumor mill for two years now. There’s an expectation to win now in St. Louis, which means Shattenkirk could follow David Backes and Troy Brouwer from last season in leaving the Blues. But you have to think, if there’s a hockey trade that makes sense for the Blues and their efforts to win now, Shattenkirk could be on the move.

3. Alexander Radulov, RW, Montreal Canadiens

Give credit to GM Marc Bergevin here. The Radulov signing wasn’t met with universal love around hockey. For a team trying to change the culture of its dressing room, there was risk in bringing in Radulov, who wasn’t always a positive force on that front in Nashville.

The truth is that he has always been a competitor, always with an appetite for winning and now he’s channeling it the correct way in Montreal at 30 years old. The Canadiens would like this relationship to last more than one season, and can sign him to an extension on Jan. 1.

4. Ben Bishop, G, Tampa Bay Lightning

GM Steve Yzerman has worked some miracles to squeeze all his stars under the salary cap, but Bishop’s time in Tampa Bay appears to be coming to a close even if his return hasn’t been ruled out internally. The Lightning have goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy signed to a reasonable deal that kicks in next season, with an average annual salary of $3.5 million. The Lightning have new contracts to do with Ondrej Palat, Jonathan Drouin and Tyler Johnson -- among others -- this summer.

The trade speculation and contract uncertainty may be contributing to Bishop’s most inconsistent season with the Lightning. He has a .905 save percentage this season, down from the .920 he has averaged since joining the Lightning.

One source raised this question: Who says no to a trade between the Blues and the Lightning built around Bishop and Shattenkirk?

5. Karl Alzner, D, Washington Capitals

There have been initial conversations between the Capitals and Alzner on a new deal, but GM Brian MacLellan is going to have his hands full this offseason making the puzzle pieces fit if the salary cap is flat heading into 2017-18. Alzner is a different player than Shattenkirk, but still a legitimate top-four defenseman who can be plugged in for 20 effective minutes per night.

He’s dirt cheap right now at $2.8 million per season, and if he hits the market, his next contract should come with an average annual value that starts with a five.

6. T.J. Oshie, RW, Washington Capitals

The makeup of next season’s Capitals team could very well depend on how successful Washington is this season. Oshie has been a great fit with the Capitals, scoring a career-high 26 goals last season in his first campaign away from St. Louis. He had a good postseason too, putting up 10 points in 12 games.

The problem is that there is a Evgeny Kuznetsov contract to get done along with Alzner's, and that’s just to start.

7. Nick Bonino, C, Pittsburgh Penguins

The Penguins like Bonino. Bonino likes the Penguins. There have been informal conversations between the two sides, but nothing serious, mostly because the Penguins already have so much money committed to their stars. To keep Bonino, somebody would likely have to move.

He’s an important part of the Penguins' success, a versatile center who contributes on the power play and penalty kill. He blocks shots, he can play up and down the lineup. In a free-agent market thin on centers, he’ll be a commodity if the Penguins can’t find a way to keep him. You can’t help but wonder if he’s a luxury they may not be able to afford after this season.

8. Kris Russell, D, Edmonton Oilers

It’s a definite possibility that Russell and the Oilers work out an extension that would keep him in Edmonton beyond this season. The Oilers really like what he has brought to the team. If they sign him, it may complicate their expansion draft protection process, since it would give a team that already has difficult choices to make another thing to think about.

He’d likely get a long look from the Flames in free agency if Edmonton doesn’t bring him back.

9. Martin Hanzal, C, Arizona Coyotes

There haven’t been many talks recently, but that’s partly because each side knows where the other stands. If he remains unsigned as the trade deadline gets closer, he becomes a strong trade option for contending teams. He’s such an appealing option, because he has proved he can match up with the best centers in the game out West. He’s got size at 6-foot-6 and, despite often getting tough matchups, he typically has better possession numbers than his teammates.

Free agency isn’t usually the place teams can pick up a quality center, but if Hanzal hits the market, he’s an appealing option even as he enters his 30s. He gets a spot in the top 10 because of the scarcity of available centers.

10. Steve Mason, G, Philadelphia Flyers

There have been just very preliminary discussions about next season between the Flyers and Mason, and nothing that would be considered serious contract negotiations.

That could change after the new year, though. Since being traded to the Flyers, Mason has a .920 save percentage in 197 games. If he hits the market, he may end up being the top goalie alternative to Ben Bishop.

11. Dmitry Kulikov, Buffalo Sabres

His departure from Florida didn’t get a lot of attention, but it’s fair to say the Panthers miss him on that defense. He always seems to underwhelm in terms of his actual offensive production, but he’s not easy to play against, he can log a lot of minutes and he is a bona fide top-four defenseman.

He’s also just 26 years old, and will be when his contract expires, making him the rare unrestricted free agent under 27 years old, since he played in Florida his draft year.

There haven’t been any contract talks yet with the Sabres, but he likes Buffalo and those talks could emerge as he establishes himself more on that defense.

“We’re just going through the season,” said his agent, Mike Bogdan. “It’s a little early on both ends.”

12. Patrick Sharp, LW, Dallas Stars

His focus right now is on returning to health and getting back to action rather than anything beyond this season, but there’s nothing to report on the contract front between Sharp and the Stars. He scored 20 goals in his first season with the team, but has played only 11 games this season and remains out with a concussion. He’ll be 35 when his current contract is up, but is a strong option for teams looking for a veteran with loads of playoff experience.

He appreciated Chicago GM Stan Bowman’s patience in trading him to a good situation in Dallas when his salary had to be moved, so that bridge remains intact. Considering how frequently the Blackhawks have brought back their former players, you can’t help but wonder if there’s another stint in Chicago down the road for Sharp.

13. Justin Williams, RW, Washington Capitals

There have been no contract talks on this front, with the expectation being that the Capitals are going to let this season play out and go from there. If Williams is a big part of a Stanley Cup run, maybe he returns.

“He wants to win in Washington,” said his agent, Thane Campbell. “That’s what he went there for. There’s some unfinished business from last year.”

14. Scott Darling, G, Chicago Blackhawks

This is an interesting one, because both sides like each other but there are outside factors -- starting with Corey Crawford -- that could prevent a deal. Darling loves Chicago and the Blackhawks, but has certainly earned a shot at a No. 1 job. As long as Crawford is in Chicago, that’s not going to happen.

There haven’t been any contract talks between the two sides, and the bet would be he goes to free agency, where there will be a market for him because of his age. He’ll be 28, and doesn’t have a lot of mileage on him, but with that lack of mileage comes a smaller sample size that could be a concern. He has a fantastic .924 save percentage with the Blackhawks, but that's in only 56 games.

15. Patrik Berglund, C, St. Louis Blues

Berglund had two 20-goal seasons in his first three NHL campaigns, but hasn’t had one since. Ideally, you’d like him to produce more offense than he does, but he still has value. He’s got size and he showed in the playoffs last season how effective he can be when he uses it. He had nine points in 20 playoff games during the Blues' run to the Western Conference finals.

There aren’t many 6-foot-4 centers under 30 who hit the free-agent market, so even without a ton of offensive production, there will be interest if he doesn’t re-sign with the Blues.

16. Patrick Marleau, C, San Jose Sharks

The Sharks got Burns signed. They’re going to get Thornton done, but Marleau is a bit of a wild card.

There have been no contract talks with the team yet, but after he requested a trade last season, all options are open for Marleau and the Sharks right now. At 37 years old, he can still skate and has seven goals this season. After coming so close last spring to winning his first Stanley Cup with the Sharks, he may end up wanting to take another crack at it with his longtime teammates.

17. Thomas Vanek, LW, Detroit Red Wings

There’s no shortage of aging wingers hitting the market, but Vanek has had a bit of a career renaissance in Detroit. He registered 15 points in his first 19 games with the Red Wings, and they’re clearly a better team when he’s in the lineup. He’s moving to the point in his career where he’s used sparingly at even strength while boosting the power play, but there’s still value in having someone with his elite skill as an option.

Under Jeff Blashill, Vanek is playing just 14:48 per game, the lowest average ice time since his rookie season, and that might be just about right as he moves closer to his mid-30s.

18. Brian Elliott and Chad Johnson, G, Calgary Flames

The Flames like both of their unrestricted goalies, and will turn their attention to more serious contract talks when the calendar turns to 2017. Right now, things are still playing out.

Chad Johnson had the hot hand early, but Elliott’s track record suggests that his streak will happen soon, especially with the Flames playing better hockey in front of him. Calgary has good young goalies in the system, such as Jon Gillies, so the logical plan would be to pick one of the veterans and leave a spot open for one of the kids.

It might be time to give Johnson more credit than he currently receives. Since leaving the Islanders, he has a .922 save percentage in his past 64 games with the Flames and Sabres.

19. Sam Gagner, C, Columbus Blue Jackets

Gagner and his camp did a smart thing when they were making a decision on where to play this season. While weighing options, they got on the phone with Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen and coach John Tortorella to get a real idea of what Gagner’s role would be in Columbus. The Blue Jackets saw a player who fit a need with his offensive skill and ability to help on the power play. Gagner saw an opportunity to get time on a top power play.

It has worked. He's thriving in Columbus, and can sign an extension after Jan. 1. There haven’t been any talks between the two sides yet, but there’s no doubt the fit has been a good one.

“Torts has been really good with him,” said his agent, Jeff Jackson. “It just seems like it’s clicking in Columbus.”

20. Brian Boyle, C, Tampa Bay Lightning

He has been a great fit in Tampa Bay. “They have a smaller team and he’s a big body,” said one source.

But like Bishop, Boyle faces a situation in Tampa where there may not be enough cap space around to keep everybody. The Lightning genuinely appreciate his versatility: He can play center or the wing, he can play up and down the lineup, he can fill in on defense in a pinch if necessary.

In a cap system, versatility helps remove the risk that money spent isn’t being utilized. The team that signs Boyle knows it’ll be getting someone who contributes on a nightly basis. He also has 100 career playoff games on his record, and is coming off a five-goal performance in last season’s playoffs.

Future Hall of Famer division:

Jarome Iginla, RW, Colorado Avalanche

He told ESPN.com’s Joe McDonald that he would make a decision regarding his future at the end of the season, but it sounded like he wouldn’t mind another season. If he gets traded this season to a contender and wins a Cup, it might be the perfect scenario to call it a career.

Jaromir Jagr, RW, Florida Panthers

Jagr gets to play as long as he wants. He signed his current one-year deal in May of last year, and hasn’t indicated he wants to hang up the skates anytime soon. The two sides can start talking in January.

Just missed the list:

Andrei Markov, D, Montreal Canadiens
Ryan Miller, G, Vancouver Canucks
Trevor Daley, D, Pittsburgh Penguins
Brendan Smith, D, Detroit Red Wings
Mark Streit, D, Philadelphia Flyers
Michael Stone, D, Arizona Coyotes
Matt Hunwick, D, Toronto Maple Leafs