Big name RFAs set to cash in
Shea Weber was the first superstar in recent memory to sign an RFA
offer sheet. There will likely be more in the years ahead.
CHICAGO, IL -- Teams in the NHL have been forced to move extra
players, take out a second mortgage and (almost) pay to rent a barn
because of them. The words themselves feel cheap. And yet, once again
we're talking about them.
The offer sheet has become an elephant in many rooms recently. In
spite of the Dustin Penner deal, leaving most believing the act of
presenting an offer sheet was dirty poker, we've seen a defenseman
sign one in two of the last three seasons (Niklas Hjalmarsson with San
Jose in 2010 and Shea Weber this summer).
And, with Weber now worth more than a handful of European countries,
many are wondering who could be the next bank-breaking restricted free
agent.
One name is undoubtedly being circled by fans (and execs) everywhere:
Claude Giroux. He's the next legitimate superstar scheduled to hit the
restricted market, but the Flyers have two full seasons to get
something done with their could-be captain before that day arrives.
It's highly unlikely that Giroux gets to the point that Weber was at
this summer.
Unfortunately for the Flyers, who were on the offering side with
Weber, Giroux isn't the only restricted free agent on their calendar
for 2014. Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier could draw interest from a
number of competitors, and Philly has already committed almost $35
million to only eight players for the 2014-15 season (including Chris
Pronger).
The new CBA could make life interesting for Paul Holmgren and the rest
of the management team in Philadelphia. But they aren't alone.
In only 12 months, there's a possibility that another young defenseman
could be incredibly popular. St. Louis has seven players scheduled to
be restricted free agents in 2013, but the most interest is in Alex
Pietrangelo. He was a darkhorse candidate for the Norris last season,
and could be a candidate for an enormous pay day.
Pietrangelo will be only 23 next summer, but he has posted 43 and 51
points in his first two NHL seasons. He's a big, strong defenseman who
is still developing his game, but with St. Louis also needing to work
out a new deal with RFA-to-be Kevin Shattenkirk before the 2013-14
seasons, the willingness of the Blues' new ownership to spend will be
put to the test quickly.
The Blues aren't alone in their need to start finding cap space this
summer.
Two teams will battle for the distinction of the most interesting
group of restricted free agents next summer.
The Edmonton Oilers are in the midst of a dramatic rebuilding project
that has seen them enjoy the luck of the lottery more than any team in
the history of any sports with a draft lottery.
But next summer, they are on the clock financially. Jordan Eberle,
Taylor Hall, Sam Gagner and Theo Peckham are four players that will be
looking for a new deal, and the Oilers have Ryan Nugent-Hopkins ready
for his second NHL contract the following summer.
Eberle might be the most intriguing player from that group. If he can
match, or exceed, his 34-goal, 76-point season from a year ago, his
cap number will increase exponentially from where it is now (just
under $1.2 million).
Boston is the other team with a number of headaches coming via
restricted free agency next year. After agreeing on a one-year deal
with Tuukka Rask this summer, he'll be restricted once again next
summer. Rask will be joined by Milan Lucic, Tyler Seguin and Brad
Marchand in the most experienced group of restricted free agents in
the league.
The performance of Rask could be the game-changer for more than
himself in Boston this year. After extending coach Claude Julien
earlier this summer, the Bruins are handing the net to Rask. They have
already committed over $69 million to the upcoming season (including
Tim Thomas and Nathan Horton), so a rough start from Rask could put
Boston in an unenviable situation.
Will we see another offer sheet soon? It's hard to tell without a new
CBA in place, but if we've learned anything in the last three summers
it's that GMs aren't afraid of pursuing restricted free agents.
Tab Bamford is a Columnist for TheFourthPeriod.com and the Chicago
Correspondent for
The Fourth Period Magazine.
