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No. 1 defencemen and No. 1 goalies. Bridge candidates and future superstars who should be locked up earlier than the large breakout.
The 2025 class of impending restricted free brokers affords somewhat little bit of every thing engaging.
And though a number of potential RFAs averted drama and uncertainty by signing nicely earlier than July 1 (the Rangers’ Alexis Lafreniere, Dallas’s Jake Oettinger, Minnesota’s Brock Faber, St. Louis’s Jake Neighbours, Utah’s Dylan Guenther, Vancouver’s Nils Höglander chief amongst them), loads of intriguing younger names stay unsigned for subsequent season.
As these RFAs look to financial institution off their platform campaigns and managers surprise spend their {dollars} towards a spiking wage cap, loads of tense negotiations (or a few trades?) are nonetheless on deck.
The conditions in New York, Edmonton and Anaheim are notably compelling.
Here’s the place issues stand with the highest 12 RFAs of 2025, with the commerce deadline set for March 7.
1. Evan Bouchard
Age on July 1: 25
Position: Defence
2024-25 wage cap hit: $3.9 million
Arbitration rights: Yes
Bargaining chips: Top-10 draft choose. Right shot. Releaser of the Bouch Bomb. Key power-play contributor. Stanley Cup finalist. Followed an 82-point common season with 32 factors in a 25-game playoff run. Holds the report for many assists by a D-man in a single playoff yr (26).
The newest: The Edmonton Oilers haven’t dressed such a productive offensive defenceman since Paul Coffey, and Bouchard’s efficiency in 2023-24 — notably come the post-season — has set him as much as flip his bridge deal right into a whopper.
“Nothing on that yet,” Oilers GM Stan Bowman informed reporters within the pre-season. “He’s still a very big priority for our team, he had a fantastic season, he’s a great player, and I think his best years are still ahead of him. We’ll probably get to that at some point.”
Bouchard’s pricy extension took a again seat to that of Leon Draisaitl’s over the low season, and Connor McDavid’s increase lies across the nook.
Bowman is aware of he should squeeze in one other famous person wage on the again finish (someplace within the $10.5-million vary?) for Bouchard, which is partly why St. Louis’s provide sheets for Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway have been profitable.
Every season is now “Cap or Bust” in Northern Alberta.
2. Noah Dobson
Age on July 1: 25
Position: Defence
2024-25 wage cap hit: $4 million
Arbitration rights: Yes
Bargaining chips: Right-shot blueliner with super imaginative and prescient. Top-12 draft choose. One of two Islanders defencemen to report 60 assists in a single season. First Isles D-man to hit 70 factors since Denis Potvin. Logged 24:30 per night time in 2023-24, tops amongst all pending RFAs. Seldom takes penalties.
The newest: General supervisor Lou Lamoriello bought forward of his most essential RFAs, ahead Mathew Barzal and goaltender Ilya Sorokin, in off-seasons previous. But Dobson has entered 2024-25, the ultimate yr of his bridge pact, with uncertainty within the air.
The growing older Islanders can sick afford to not spend money on younger expertise.
“He’s growing every year,” Lamoriello stated of his power-play QB. “And I believe that there’s no ceiling to his potential.
“Every year that you have success, certainly you get recognized a little bit more and you get a little more attention. But there’s no question that the sky is the limit.”
Should Lamoriello go long-term right here, we may very well be taking a look at an eight-year deal nearing $8 million per season. Dobson ought to quickly turn out to be the highest-paid participant on the crew’s again finish.
3. Wyatt Johnston
Age on July 1: 22
Position: Centre
2024-25 wage cap hit: $894,167
Arbitration rights: No
Bargaining chips: First-round choose. Right-shot centreman. Named to the 2023 All-Rookie Team. Most targets by a young person in Dallas Stars historical past. 106 factors within the first 164 NHL video games. Elevates within the post-season. Perfect NHL attendance.
The newest: Johnston entered his age-21 platform marketing campaign having already piled up 14 targets and 22 factors in 38 playoff video games. He has quickly turn out to be a play-driver for a contending membership.
GM Jim Nill has a monitor report of getting his RFAs locked up for honest charges (the dearth of state tax doesn’t harm, certainly) and began with Oettinger.
Johnston must be subsequent on the record, however raises for Nill’s different younger studs — Jason Robertson, Thomas Harley and Logan Stankoven (all due after 2025-26) — lurk across the nook and have to be thought of when planning long-term.
Matty Benier’s current extension in Seattle ($7.14 million occasions seven years) may very well be a wise comparable for Johnston, ought to Nill go for time period. Otherwise, a mid-term bridge may very well be the play. That’s the route the Stars went with Robertson after his 40-goal breakout.
“We eventually want to sit down,” Nill informed The Athletic. “Do they want to talk this year? We’d love to. Maybe they just want to go play. We’ll figure that out.”
4. Luke Hughes
Age on July 1: 21
Position: Defence
2024-25 wage cap hit: $925,000
Arbitration rights: No
Bargaining chips: Fourth-overall draft choose. Legit hockey household. World junior medallist. Already repped Team USA twice at world championships. Calder finalist. Named to 2024 NHL All-Rookie Team. EA Sports coverboy. Impressive 47-point rookie marketing campaign and instantaneous top-four D-man within the professionals.
The newest: After hiring a brand new coach and making a ton of UFA noise in the summertime of ’24, New Jersey Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald’s high precedence is now clear: Get Hughes locked up for a team-friendly fee.
The Devils did simply that with Hughes’ older brother, Jack, and an excellent long-term comparable for Luke emerged when fellow 2024 Calder Trophy finalist Brock Faber re-upped in Minnesota for eight years at $8.5 million per season.
Such a deal would elevate Luke’s wage over Jack’s $8 million, which is great worth.
Luke underwent low season shoulder surgical procedure, lacking the primary few weeks of his platform marketing campaign.
5. John-Jason Peterka
Age on July 1: 23
Position: Centre
2024-25 wage cap hit: $855,833
Arbitration rights: No
Bargaining chips: 2022 AHL All-Rookie Team. Silver medallist and Best Forward on the 2023 world championships. Superb skater. Sniper. Career-high 28 targets and 50 factors in 2023-24.
The newest: In the case of a number of RFAs who’ve proven early promise — Tage Thompson, Dylan Cozens, Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, Mattias Samuelson — Buffalo Sabres GM Kevyn Adams has tried to get forward of a breakout by locking up his younger gamers for vital time period.
A scorer within the ballpark of Guenther’s capabilities, Peterka — one of many nice discount offers of 2023-24 — may very well be on the lookout for an AAV north of $7 million, ought to Adams want to purchase up some UFA years.
Failing that, a bridge deal can be the better route.
Adams maintains that he’s philosophically open to purchasing time period, betting that the AAV would profit the crew towards a rising cap.
“We’re always open. We’ve done it before, but we’ve also gone the other way,” Adams said, cautiously. “It’s always about what’s right for us and what’s right for the player.”
6. Fabian Zetterlund
Age on July 1: 25
Position: Left wing
2024-25 wage cap hit: $1.45 million
Arbitration rights: Yes
Bargaining chips: World junior silver medallist. 2024 world championship medallist. Ripped 24 targets and added 20 assists in 2023-24, his first full NHL season. Leading goal-getter for San Jose. Rebuilding Sharks must maintain all legit 20-something expertise. Can deadlift 600 kilos.
The newest: General supervisor Mike Grier doesn’t have any re-signing priorities larger than Zetterlund, who enters the ultimate season of his bridge pact as his membership’s most prolific finisher.
Another productive displaying in Silicon Valley ought to set up the Swede as a fixture of San Jose’s core.
Because Grier has shed a lot wage in (a profitable) try to win the draft lottery and replenish on younger expertise, cap area is of little concern and there’s no cause to not try a long-term deal right here.
With Zetterlund off to a robust begin and placing a good friendship with teammate William Eklund, we’d be stunned if the edges can’t attain widespread floor earlier than the cut price winger nears expiry on June 30.
7. Mason McTavish
Age on July 1: 22
Position: Centre
2024-25 wage cap hit: $894,167
Arbitration rights: No
Bargaining chips: Third-overall draft choose. Olympian. 2022 world junior gold medallist, MVP and writer of the “McTavish Miracle.” Consecutive 40-point seasons within the NHL. Key piece of Anaheim Ducks’ future.
The newest: The seven-year, $49-million contract Pat Verbeek issued younger RFA centre Troy Terry in 2023 would possibly inform us one thing about the kind of deal the Ducks GM might want to strike with McTavish, the subsequent younger stud centre on his to-do record.
The Terry deal took time to return collectively, nevertheless, and Verbeek’s different high-profile ahead, Trevor Zegras, settled for much less cash and fewer time period.
The government has cap area to play with however is aware of the variety of gamers he’ll have knocking at his door for raises. He has a monitor report of persistence, taking part in out conditions the place he holds the hammer.
“It’s on the radar,” Verbeek stated, when asked about potential extensions for players whose contracts will expire next summer. “We go through our process with the timing of it all. It’ll certainly be something that we look at.”
A comparable for McTavish’s subsequent contract may very well be Quinton Byfield’s current five-year extension in Los Angeles, which carries a $6.25-million AAV.
8. Okay’Andre Miller
Age on July 1: 25
Position: Defence
2024-25 wage cap hit: $3.872 million
Arbitration rights: Yes
Bargaining chips: First-round choose. World junior silver medallist. NHL All-Rookie Team. Durable. Great measurement and attain at 6-foot-5, 210 kilos. Productive regardless of restricted power-play time. 43 video games of playoff expertise already. Excellent skater. A plus participant in all 5 seasons.
The newest: Big, robust, sensible blueliners of their prime are basically must-keeps.
So whereas the New York Rangers have been fast to re-sign energy ahead Lafreniere and already took a tough run at extending pending UFA Igor Shesterkin, locking up Miller earlier than he wraps his bridge contract must be crucial.
GM Chris Drury will likely be looking at a $4.65-million qualifying provide to retain Miller’s rights this summer time; a long-term deal ought to push Miller’s AAV into the $6 million–to–$6.5 million vary.
New York nonetheless holds a few years of membership management right here, however the onerous cap will not be Drury’s buddy.
Inevitable raises for Lafreniere, Shesterkin and Miller are the explanation the crew explored shifting on from captain Jacob Trouba within the low season.
Eventually, one thing should give.
9. Matthew Knies
Age on July 1: 22
Position: Left wing
2024-25 wage cap hit: $925,000
Arbitration rights: No
Bargaining chips: Top-line energy ahead. Meshes nicely with superstars Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. Biggest participant on the Maple Leafs. Strong playoff displaying. Should don’t have any situation crushing rookie season totals of 15 targets, 35 factors. Net-front presence. Draws penalties. Olympian.
The newest: So a lot for the sophomore droop.
Knies packed on 10 kilos over the summer time, then bought shot out of cannon. The second-year professional has immediately gained belief (and ice time) from new Toronto coach Craig Berube and has been one of many Leafs’ greatest tales of the early season.
“He’s a beast,” confirms fellow Arizonan Auston Matthews.
Berube has gone as far as to check Knies to energy forwards Keith Tkachuk, Bill Guerin and John Leclair — feedback GM Brad Treliving hopes Knies’ agent didn’t catch wind of.
In talking with Knies, he has made it clear that he loves being a Maple Leaf and has no ideas of leaving Toronto.
He has politely declined to publicly talk about the state of extension talks, however there is no such thing as a doubt Treliving needs to maintain him within the fold.
Of course, the Leafs have huge choices to make on Marner and John Tavares, however that didn’t cease them from re-signing Jake McCabe in-season and shouldn’t power them to attend on Knies both.
10. Lukas Dostal
Age on July 1: 25
Position: Goaltender
2024-25 wage cap hit: $812,500
Arbitration rights: Yes
Bargaining chips: Gold (2024) and bronze (2022) medallist at world championships. Crowed Best Goaltender at ’24 worlds. AHL All-Star. Clear successor to John Gibson as Anaheim’s No. 1 goalie. Fantastic conventional and underlying stats regardless of taking part in behind a subpar crew of skaters. Ducks positive can use saves.
The newest: With Gibson sidelined by an appendectomy to start 2024-25, Dostal fortunately carried the workload in Orange County and started performing among the many league’s elite at his place.
Dostal’s robust monitor report has met alternative on the good time, and the goalie is placing himself in line for a large payday.
GM Verbeek was in no panic to increase Dostal earlier than the season started, however the best way Dostal is performing, the manager might need for a time machine.
“We’ll take our time on that,” Verbeek said at the beginning of coaching camp, when requested about extensions for his pending RFAs. “We haven’t really started thinking about that yet, but we’ll lay a plan out for when we’ll start talking about all that stuff. To me, that’s far down the road.”
Verbeek has but to increase considered one of his RFAs in-season, but when there’s a candidate to interrupt that pattern, it could be Dostal.
11. Marco Rossi
Age on July 1: 23
Position: Centre
2024-25 wage cap hit: $883,334
Arbitration rights: No
Bargaining chips: Top-10 draft choose. Ontario Hockey League MVP. Austrian nationwide crew captain. Put up 21 targets and 40 factors in first full NHL season. 2024 NHL All-Rookie Team. You can by no means have sufficient expert centres.
The newest: Sure, Minnesota Wild GM Bill Guerin will quickly be squirming out from the load of the Ryan Suter and Zach Parise buyout funds, however solely to face requests for vital pay bumps from integral forwards.
While Rossi’s increase is a precedence, Guerin’s cap planning should start with locking in crew MVP, Kirill Kaprizov, to an eight-figure deal. Kaprizov is eligible to re-sign as early as July 1, however figuring out his quantity will assist inform how Minnesota allots the remainder of its {dollars}.
The longer Guerin waits to barter with Rossi’s agent, Ian Pulver, nevertheless, the extra Rossi — already on tempo for a profession excessive in factors — ought to ask for.
In mild of Minnesota’s tight price range and different centre prospects coming (Danila Yurov, Riely Heidt), issues may get difficult right here.
The greatest route is probably going a short-term, kick-the-issue-down-the-road resolution. Think one thing alongside the traces of Winnipeg’s two-year, $6.5-million extension in Winnipeg.
12. Philipp Kurashev
Age on July 1: 25
Position: Centre
2024-25 wage cap hit: $2.25 million
Arbitration rights: Yes
Bargaining chips: Registered profession highs in targets (18), factors (54), ice time (19:01) in a breakout 2023-24. Formed quick chemistry with Connor Bedard. Speedy.
The newest: Cap area isn’t but a difficulty for the rebuilding Chicago Blackhawks, however with Bedard eligible to barter this summer time, GM Kyle Davidson have to be sensible about making the correct investments surrounding the face of the franchise.
Make no mistake, Kurashev finds himself in a prove-it state of affairs, as Davidson recruited a bunch of veteran forwards to offer his youthful gamers competitors for top-six and power-play roles.
As robust because the Swiss speedster’s offensive numbers have been final season, he was additionally a minus-44 and has by no means been a plus participant within the league.
“We need him to be playing harder and better,” Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson said of Kurashev in October. “He’s been pretty solid and consistent over the years, but this is a year we need to take steps forward.”
Kurashev and the Blackhawks went by with arbitration final time he was due a increase, in 2023, and the ahead will little doubt be on the lookout for one other bump.
More notable pending RFAs: Gabriel Vilardi, Morgan Frost, Joel Hofer, Will Cuylle, Connor Zary, Devon Levi, Daniil Tarasov, Mason Lohrei, Dmitri Voronkov, Tyson Foerster, Cameron York, Bowen Byram, Morgan Geekie, Luke Evangelista, Alexander Holtz, Ridly Greig, Simon Holmstrom, Alex Laferriere, Hendrix Lapierre, Kaapo Kakko, Mark Kastelic, Jack McBain, Jack Quinn, Adam Boqvist, Ryan McLeod, Nick Robertson
All wage information by way of the superb PuckPedia.com.
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