As the sun rises on July 1 and free agency begins at noon, all 32 NHL teams have announced the list of restricted free agents (RFAs) that were tendered qualifying offers -- and there are some standouts that NHL fans dream of having on their favorite team.
In the case of these players, their current clubs have final say as to whether they can leave, and the club retains the right to match any offer sheet that is submitted by another team. If the original club does let the player accept another offer, they will be compensated based on the annual salary of the new contract.
These three skaters will no doubt be receiving a number of offer sheets from across the league, and fans will want to pay attention as free agency unfolds in the coming days and weeks.
Marco Rossi, Minnesota Wild
Both Rossi and Wild GM Bill Guerin have said they hope to get a deal done, but months of back-and-forth have failed to produce a new contract for the Austrian winger. Reports have stated that both sides have made offers and counter-offers twice now, and still nothing as we reach dawn on July 1.
The 23-year-old was a stud for Minnesota this year, tallying 24 goals and 60 points in his sophomore season. But fans were left scratching their heads when his time on ice fell to 11:08 per game in the playoffs -- a shocking decision by coach John Hynes after Rossi finished second on the team in scoring during the regular season.
Given the lack of extension to this point, Rossi will be getting a second look from many NHL clubs as an RFA. He has excellent natural hockey instincts that can't be taught -- he seamlessly takes advantage of open lanes on the ice to set up his teammates, but can just as well finish when he's given the opportunity. Rossi is likely in search of a bridge deal worth between $5 and $7 million, depending on the length of the contract.
"I like Marco. He’s a good hockey player. But just like every other hockey player, you like them at a certain price range. We have our structure and it’s got to fit within that."Wild GM Bill Guerin
K'Andre Miller, New York Rangers
Tough as nails with a sharp hockey IQ, Miller is one of the best young defensemen that will be available via offer sheet. The 25-year-old put up 110 blocks and 107 hits this season, posting 27 points while averaging 21:57 TOI/GP. At 6'5", Miller never shies away from being physical when it means shutting down an opponent or freeing up space for his teammates to exit the zone.
Miller excelled when given the chance to play alongside former Norris Trohpy winner Adam Fox on the Rangers top pair. The two recorded a Corsi-for of 62.1% when skating together, showing how Miller's play can be elevated with the right partner -- and he has the chops to play big minutes if needed. A team like the Los Angeles Kings might be in the running, given that top D-man Vladislav Gavrikov is likely to leave in free agency.
An offer sheet from another team could be around five years at $6 to $7 million annually, which is a tall asking price but Miller has earned the chance for a high-paying, mid-length deal like that.
Bowen Byram, Buffalo Sabres
All eyes have been on Byram for months now, as trade rumors have been circling the Sabres dating back before the trade deadline in March. At age 23, the young defenseman just continues to improve year after year, setting new career highs with 38 points and 116 blocked shots this season.
Byram also recorded 209 shot attempts this year, which further puts his offensive mindset on display. However, this does not detract from his defensive abilities and how responsible he can be in his own zone. Byram moves and protects the puck extremely well, setting up his teammates to generate scoring chances but taking initiative and doing it himself when the time is right.
There's still a chance he could end up remaining with the Sabres for the right price, as both sides have expressed interest in signing a new contract in Buffalo. In a long-term deal, Byram could garner as much at $8 million annually over an eight year span.
"He loves his teammates, he loves being a Sabre, but he also understands that he has this window in his career, and what does that look like with other opportunities."Sabres GM Kevyn Adams
The free agent market may be looking a little thin after the flurry of trades and contract extensions on June 30, but there are plenty of young offer sheet candidates that should have teams and fans alike excited for the future.