Predicting Which NHL Players Will Receive Offer Sheets in the 2015 Offseason

When the NHL's 2015 free-agent market begins on July 1, restricted free agents become eligible to sign offer sheets from rival clubs, provided they aren't headed to salary arbitration. This practice is rarely employed by NHL general managers. Still, a GM could attempt to sign away a top restricted free agent from a rival club.

As per the NHL collective bargaining agreement, a restricted free agent who didn't sign a qualifying offer from his team can sign an offer sheet with any club. His team then has seven days from the date the offer was accepted to match it. If it decides not to match, it receives compensatory draft picks based upon the player's new annual salary.

The following slideshow lists 10 restricted NHL free agents who could receive offer sheets this offseason. It examines their respective careers, the potential cost of signing them and why they're offer-sheet candidates. Performance, age, arbitration rights and salary-cap space factored into this ranking. 

10. Mikael Granlund, Minnesota Wild

Jim Mone/Associated Press

Career to date: Though hampered by injuries the past two seasons, Minnesota Wild center Mikael Granlund has considerable upside as a playmaker. The versatile 23-year-old can play all three forward positions. In 68 games this season he finished with 39 points, just two shy of the 41 he tallied in 2013-14. He's also a proven playoff performer and has plenty of room for improvement. 

Cost: Granlund is coming off an entry-level contract with an annual cap hit of $2.1 million in base salary and bonuses. He lacks arbitration rights. The Wild could offer up a two-year “bridge deal” worth $3.5 million per season.

Why he's an offer-sheet candidate: The Wild have roughly $60 million invested in their 2015-16 cap payroll. A marginal increase in the current $69 million cap ceiling won't leave much room to re-sign Granlund, Erik Haula and Devan Dubnyk, let alone re-sign or replace their other free agents. A rival club could try to take advantage of that by offering Granlund a long-term deal worth more than $5 million annually.

9. Jonathan Huberdeau, Florida Panthers

Matt Slocum/Associated Press

Career to date: The 2013 Calder Trophy winner as NHL rookie of the year, Florida Panthers left wing Jonathan Huberdeau shook off a sophomore slump with a solid performance this season. The 21-year-old set career highs in goals (15), assists (39) and points (54), finishing as the Panthers' leading scorer. His best years are still ahead of him. 

Cost: Huberdeau is completing an entry-level contract at an annual cap hit of $3.194 million combining base salary and bonuses. He has no arbitration rights. The Panthers could try signing him to a two-year “bridge contract” worth $4 million per season.

Why he's an offer-sheet candidate: The Panthers have more than $52 million invested in their cap payroll for 2015-16. They have sufficient room to re-sign Huberdeau, provided they don't overspend when adding veteran talent via trades or free agency. While the Panthers could spend to the cap ceiling for next season, a rival club could test them by sending Huberdeau an offer sheet worth more than $5.5 million per season.

8. Gustav Nyquist, Detroit Red Wings

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

Career to date: For the second straight season, Detroit Red Wings right wing Gustav Nyquist tallied over 20 goals (27) and 48 points (54). The 25-year-old finished fourth among Red Wings scorers this season. While his numbers weren't on the same impressive pace as his second-half performance last season, Nyquist is still a consistent offensive threat.

Cost: Nyquist is completing a two-year deal worth an annual cap hit of $950,000 and possesses arbitration rights. He's two years away from unrestricted free agency but could request a long-term deal to remain with the Wings. Considering his numbers over the past two years, he could seek over $4 million per season.

Why he's an offer-sheet candidate: As long as the Red Wings don't overspend when adding talent this summer, they possess sufficient cap space to re-sign Nyquist and other key free agents. They have more than $57 million invested in cap payroll for 2015-16. Still, a rival club could test how much the Wings are willing to invest in Nyquist by offering a long-term deal worth over $5.5 million per season.

7. Michael Del Zotto, Philadelphia Flyers

Matt Slocum/Associated Press

Career to date: After struggling last season split between the New York Rangers and Nashville Predators, Michael Del Zotto enjoyed a bounce-back performance with the Philadelphia Flyers. Despite being hampered by injuries, he scored 10 goals and 32 points in 64 games. He was the second-leading scorer among Flyers defensemen and finished second in ice time.

Cost: Del Zotto, 24, completed a one-year deal worth $1.3 million and possesses arbitration rights. He was among the few bright spots in an otherwise miserable season for the Flyers. CSNPhilly.com's Tim Panaccio reports they hope to re-sign Del Zotto. He could seek a raise of up to $3 million annually.

Why he's an offer-sheet candidate: Even by placing all but retired Chris Pronger ($4.941 million) on long-term injured reserve, the Flyers have over $61 million invested in cap payroll. They also need a backup goaltender and another scoring forward. The Flyers must shed salary this summer. A rival club could take advantage of that by pitching Del Zotto a $4.5 million-per-season offer sheet.

6. Vladimir Tarasenko, St. Louis Blues

Ann Heisenfelt/Associated Press

Career to date: After two promising seasons, St. Louis Blues right wing Vladimir Tarasenko emerged as a dominant NHL scorer this season. In 77 games, the 23-year-old Russian had career highs in goals (37), assists (36) and points (73). He was the Blues' leading scorer and finished the season fifth in the league in goals and 10th in points.

Cost: Tarasenko is completing his entry-level contract worth an annual cap hit of $1.75 million in base salary and bonuses. He has no arbitration rights. Given his stunning breakthrough this season, it will cost the Blues a considerable amount to re-sign him. Forget about a short-term “bridge deal," as Tarasenko could seek a long-term extension starting at over $6 million annually.

Why he's an offer-sheet candidate: The Blues have roughly $56 million invested in their payroll for 2015-16. Other than Tarasenko, all their key players are under contract. They have room to re-sign him, though they'll want as affordable a deal as possible. As Tarasenko lacks arbitration rights, the Blues could outwait him, though at the risk of a rival club swooping in with an offer worth over $7 million annually.

5. Mark Stone, Ottawa Senators

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

Career to date: After brief appearances over the past two seasons, Ottawa Senators right wing Mark Stone made an impressive full-time NHL debut in 2014-15. The 22-year-old tallied 26 goals and 64 points, tying for second with Kyle Turris among the Senators' leading scorers. Stone also tied with Calgary's Johnny Gaudreau for this season's rookie-scoring lead.

Cost: Stone is coming off an entry-level contract worth an annual cap hit of $873,000. He lacks arbitration rights. Considering he's only played one full NHL season, the Senators could try to re-sign him to a two-year “bridge contract” worth between $2.5 and $3 million per season.

Why he's an offer-sheet candidate: The Senators have more than $58 million invested in payroll for 2015-16. Their other notable free agents include Mika Zibanejad, Mike Hoffman, Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Alex Chiasson and Andrew Hammond. The Senators usually maintain payroll well below the cap ceiling. That could make Stone a tempting target for a multiyear offer sheet worth over $4 million per season.

4. Derek Stepan, New York Rangers

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Career to date: New York Rangers center Derek Stepan is a reliable playmaker who is continually improving. Stepan netted 55 points in 68 games in 2014-15. He would have set a career high for points had he not missed the opening 12 games of the season with a broken fibula. At 24, Stepan's best seasons lie ahead of him.

Cost: Stepan is coming off a two-year deal worth an annual cap hit of $3.075 million and has arbitration rights. He's due for a substantial raise. If arbitration is required, the New York Post's Larry Brooks speculates his new salary could be “a seven-figure price that would start with a '6' and go from there.” 

Why he's an offer-sheet candidate: The Rangers currently have more than $59 million invested in cap payroll for 2015-16. That won't leave much to re-sign Stepan and fellow free agents Carl Hagelin, Martin St. Louis and James Sheppard. A rival club could send Stepan a significant multiyear offer of around $7 million annually to test the Rangers' willingness to match.

3. Tyler Toffoli, Los Angeles Kings

Chris Szagola/Associated Press

Career to date: Since his NHL debut in 2013, Los Angeles Kings forward Tyler Toffoli has steadily improved into a solid two-way scorer. Only 22, Toffoli reached career bests in goals (23), assists (26) and points (49) this season. He was third among Kings scorers and led the league in short-handed goals.

Cost: Toffoli is coming off his entry-level deal at an annual cap hit of $870,000 and lacks arbitration rights. Considering his progress, he's due for a significant raise. Linemate Tanner Pearson recently re-signed a two-year deal worth an annual cap hit of $1.4 million, but it could cost nearly $4 million per season to get Toffoli under contract this summer.

Why he's an offer-sheet candidate: The Kings have nearly $65 million tied up in next season's cap payroll. They have limited room to re-sign Toffoli and re-sign or replace their other free agents. The Kings could be forced to shed salary this summer. A rival club might make things difficult by offering Toffoli a multiyear deal worth more than $5 million annually.

2. Brandon Saad, Chicago Blackhawks

Matt Slocum/Associated Press

Career to date: Chicago Blackhawks left wing Brandon Saad has steadily developed into a reliable top-line winger in a short period of time. The 22-year-old reached career highs in goals (23), assists (29) and points (52), finishing fourth among Blackhawks scorers this season. Saad also has considerable playoff experience, winning a championship with the 'Hawks in 2013.

Cost: Saad is coming off an entry-level deal worth an annual cap hit of $894,000 and is due a substantial raise. He lacks arbitration rights. The Blackhawks could try to re-sign him to a two- or three-year deal, but his agent could seek a longer term in the $4 million-per-season range.

Why he's an offer-sheet candidate: The Blackhawks have more than $64 million invested in cap payroll for 2015-16.  It's expected they'll shed salary in the offseason to free up cap space to re-sign Saad and fellow restricted free agent Marcus Kruger and fill out the remainder of their roster gaps. That could also make Saad a tempting offer-sheet target. A rival club could pitch a lengthy deal worth $5.5 million annually.

1. Dougie Hamilton, Boston Bruins

Winslow Townson/Associated Press

Career to date: Only 21, Boston Bruins defenseman Dougie Hamilton has made impressive strides in his brief NHL career. In just his third NHL season, the 6'5”, 212-pound rearguard tallied career highs in goals (10), assists (32) and points (42). Hamilton tied for fifth on the Bruins in points. He's clearly the heir apparent to aging Bruins captain Zdeno Chara and will only improve over time.

Cost: Hamilton is coming off an entry-level contract worth an annual cap hit of $1.494 million and lacks arbitration rights. The Boston Globe's Fluto Shinzawa believes the Bruins prefer to sign him to a deal similar to Minnesota's Jonas Brodin (six years, $4.16 million annually). Given Hamilton's growth this season, Shinzawa suggests that could be wishful thinking.

Why he's an offer-sheet candidate: The Bruins have more than $63 million invested in cap payroll for 2015-16. After placing all but retired Marc Savard ($4.007 million) on long-term injured reserve, they'll still have limited space to re-sign key free agents and replace others. A rival GM who is seeking a good, young top-two defenseman could offer Hamilton a long-term deal worth $6 million per season. 

Unless otherwise indicated, player stats and news via NHL.com. Salary information via NHLNumbers.com.