The NHL is extremely quiet today with just one transaction, the one-year two-way contract for Hunter Warner. That’s the way it has been on the restricted free agent market for some time, with very few non-arbitration deals coming down the pipe. In fact with just over a month before training camps open, 46 restricted free agents remain unsigned for the upcoming season. Among them are some of the most impressive young talents in the game and several others who are still promising prospects. Still more of the players are those who will play overseas in 2019-20 and were qualified in order for a team to retain their exclusive negotiating rights.
The full list of unsigned restricted free agents is as follows:
Anaheim Ducks:
(none)
Arizona Coyotes:
F Emil Pettersson – Will not sign, playing in SHL
Boston Bruins:
F Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson*
D Charlie McAvoy*
D Brandon Carlo
Buffalo Sabres:
(none)
Calgary Flames:
F Matthew Tkachuk
F Andrew Mangiapane
F Spencer Foo – Will not sign, playing in KHL
Carolina Hurricanes:
F Saku Maenalanen
F Roland McKeown
Chicago Blackhawks:
F Brendan Perlini
F Victor Ejdsell – Will not sign, playing in SHL
Colorado Avalanche:
F Mikko Rantanen
D Sergei Boikov – Will not sign, playing in KHL
Columbus Blue Jackets:
F Lukas Sedlak – Will not sign, playing in KHL
D Zach Werenski
Dallas Stars:
D Julius Honka
D Niklas Hansson – Will not sign, playing in SHL
Detroit Red Wings:
G Patrik Rybar – Will not sign, playing in Liiga
Edmonton Oilers:
Florida Pantherss:
F Maxim Mamin – Will not sign, playing in KHL
F Juho Lammikko – Will not sign, playing in Liiga
F Denis Malgin
Los Angeles Kings:
Minnesota Wild:
F Kevin Fiala
F Joel Eriksson Ek
D Louie Belpedio
Montreal Canadiens:
(none)
Nashville Predators:
(none)
New Jersey Devils:
New York Islanders:
F Anthony Beauvillier
F Joshua Ho-Sang
F Michael Dal Colle
New York Rangers:
F Brendan Lemieux
D Anthony DeAngelo
Ottawa Senators:
F Colin White*
Philadelphia Flyers:
F Travis Konecny
D Ivan Provorov
Pittsburgh Penguins:
San Jose Sharks:
(none)
St. Louis Blues:
Tampa Bay Lightning:
Toronto Maple Leafs:
Vancouver Canucks:
F Brock Boeser*
F Nikolay Goldobin
Vegas Golden Knights:
Washington Capitals:
(none)
Winnipeg Jets:
F Kyle Connor
F Patrik Laine
G Eric Comrie
*Not eligible for offer sheet
That’s a lot of names and not a lot of money to go around.
I don’t remember seeing such an expansive list of up and coming stars not signed this far into free agency. One or two sure but there are 10 or so legit up and coming stars.
Now, the question becomes “Which team will be the most adversely affected by the delayed signing/holdout?” I’m going with the ever-popular three-way tie: Boston/Calgary/Winnipeg.
One of the big names need to sign. Everybody is playing the waiting game to see who set the market. I look at some of the teams on this list who have multiple guys and feel like they need to get one player done. For example, Boston needs to sign Carlo first. That way they will have arguably their best defensive defenseman there for the start of camp and will have cover for a McAvoy holdout. The Bruins can survive with one of the two defensemen holdout, but are hurt big time if they both aren’t in camp.
1. Marner- Toronto
2. Boeser-Vancouver
3. Point-Tampa Bay
Most players are waiting on Marner to set the bar in how much he will get if and when he signs the big contract. So what happens if he holds out. It is a shame for the Maple Leafs it has already affected them as they have made so many roster changes, it will affect them if Marner sits out for any length of time. What impact will this have on the Leafs making the playoffs?
I’d put Point ahead of Boeser. One, he is a center and a two-way one at that. Two, he has been far more durable than Boesser. Three, he has outscored Boeser in each of the last two seasons.
You don’t think that not having Mitch Marner will hurt Toronto?
Winnipeg -by far -lost 3 of their better physical players- lost a lot of depth just sitting around waiting.At least Toronto made a couple moves and are at least as good as they were last year (if not better)-It will be hard for the Jets to even make the play-offs with the team as it stands.
yes frostypucker not having Marner in lineup will affect Toronto !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!