Sportsnet reveals a list of the top 10 restricted free agents; will we see another offer sheet this summer?
We are one month out from the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, which means we're about to enter rumour season. There are plenty of noteworthy names that are expected to be available when free agency opens up on July 13th, but not all of them are unrestricted, meaning that teams will have the option to tender an offer sheet to any restricted free agents who find the offer enticing enough to want to sign it.
In recent years, we saw Carolina Hurricanes superstar Sebastian Aho sign an offer sheet with the Montreal Canadiens for 5 years at $8.46M per season (with Carolina opting to match) and the Habs' former 3rd overall pick in 2018, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, sign one with the Carolina Hurricanes for 1 year at $6.1M (with the Habs opting not to match). Will we see another this summer?
There are plenty of potential big money RFA's this summer and a few who may consider signing an offer sheet as a way of enticing their current teams match the offer and getting the money and term that they want. Here is a list of the top 10 RFA's heading into this summer:
We don't often see offer sheets due to the fact that they are "frowned upon" by the GM's around the league and can often sour bargaining relationships in the future as they can put GM's in precarious positions and hinder their flexibility. In terms of which names on this list may consider the idea of signing an offer sheet are Pierre-Luc Dubois, Patrik Laine and Kevin Fiala.
Dubois and Laine, who were traded for one another last season, both struggled to get going with their new teams in 2020-21, but during the 2021-22 season, each found their footing with their respective clubs and put up very respectable numbers. Laine posted his first point-per-game season in his young NHL career, recording 56 points in 56 games with the Columbus Blue Jackets, while Dubois flourished with the Winnipeg Jets this season, putting up a career high 28 goals and racked up 60 points in 81 games, just 1 off of his previous career best of 61 points back in 2018-19. He also posted a career high in shots on goal with 233.
The Jets and Blue Jackets both missed the playoffs this season and both players could look to sign deals with teams who may give them a legitimate shot at seeing postseason action next year.
Meanwhile, with Kevin Fiala in Minnesota, there were rumours of a rift forming between the player and head coach Dean Evason. Whatever the issue was, it seemed to fuel Fiala and serve him well as the 25-year-old posted a career high 85 points in 82 games. Why, then, would he entertain the idea of signing an offer sheet with another team? Well, the answer is simple. Money.
The Wild are going to be stuck with between $12M-$14M in dead cap space over the next 3 seasons, thanks to the buyouts of veterans Zach Parise and Ryan Suter last summer. This leaves them with around $7M in available cap space this summer and only 34/50 contracts filled and 18/23 players signed for next season to make up the roster. Of those 18, only one is a goaltender. Also, with top prospect Matthew Boldy due for a new deal next summer, things are going to get very tight, very fast in Minnesota.
Fiala's last deal was a 1-year, $5.1M deal and after the season he just had, he's due a significant raise. Simply put, unless the Wild make the necessary moves to clear a substantial amount of cap space, Fiala is a luxury that they cannot afford. However, there will be other interested teams who can afford him and that's why I think that, unless he is traded in the next month, he could be a prime candidate to sign an offer sheet this summer.
Some big time decisions ahead for not only the Wild, Jets and Blue Jackets, but several other teams who are looking to get back into the postseason as well. A successful offer sheet could be a great way to keep their respective rosters intact and adding a significant piece in the process.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 6 | 285 ANSWERS Sportsnet reveals a list of the top 10 restricted free agents; will we see another offer sheet this summer? Who is most likely to sign an offer sheet this summer? | ||
| Patrik Laine | 106 | 37.2 % |
| Kevin Fiala | 50 | 17.5 % |
| Pierre-Luc Dubois | 49 | 17.2 % |
| None/Other | 80 | 28.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
