"Jonas Hiller's fine play in goal over a month-long stretch is making the Ducks smile these days and has given them confidence that he can be leaned on in their desperate push to make the playoffs.

But as he keeps putting together victories and lowering his goals-against average and save percentage, Hiller's price tag is likely rising as well for a big-money contract that he figures to get from his team - or someone else.

Hiller, 27, is making $1.3 million this season and stands to make at least twice, if not three times that on the open market as he can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. With 11 victories in his 15 starts before Tuesday's game against Buffalo, the Swiss native has improved his overall numbers to 18-13-2 with a 2.82 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage.

"I'm definitely in a good situation," he said. "I'm playing a lot. I just want to keep it going."

However, Hiller made it clear that he considers himself a bonafide NHL starting netminder and that it could factor into his decision-making process.

"I don't want to just sign until I know that it's possible that I'm a No. 1 goalie, (whether) if it's here or if it's somewhere else," he said.

Hiller said there have been conversations on a new contract between himself, his agent, Allain Roy, and Ducks general manager Bob Murray but that any progress on a new deal may have to wait until Murray makes some key decisions over the next few months."