NHL Players Most Likely to Hold out During 2016 Training Camps

With NHL training camps opening in mid-September, several restricted free agents remain unsigned. The notable players include Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov and Calgary Flames left wing Johnny Gaudreau. One or more could stage a holdout if still unsigned when training camp begins. 

It's no certainty any of these players will hold out. Contract negotiations will likely continue up to the start of training camp. However, several factors that could contribute to one or more sitting out training camp awaiting a new deal. 

A team could lack sufficient salary-cap space to meet the player's contract demands. The player and team could disagree over the length of the contract and/or the salary amount. 

Here's a look at the NHL players most likely to hold out during training camp in September. You can voice your opinion on this topic in the comments section below. 

Tobias Rieder, Arizona Coyotes

Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

A difference in salary appears to be the snag in the Arizona Coyotes' contract negotiations with right wing Tobias Rieder. This issue could carry over through the upcoming World Cup of Hockey in September and into training camp.

In just two NHL seasons, Rieder has shown promising development as a top-six winger. With 14 goals and 23 assists for 37 points last season, the 23-year-old finished seventh among Coyotes scorers. 

Rieder completed an entry-level contract worth an annual average value of $925,000. On Aug 17, Arizona Sports' Craig Morgan reported the Reider camp sought a two-year deal worth $2.75 million per season. The Coyotes reportedly seek between $2.2 million to $2.3 million annually.  

While the difference in salary between the two camps isn't that large, talks remain stalled. Reider's participation next month in the World Cup of Hockey also could delay negotiations.

Morgan reported Coyotes coach Dave Tippett will see Reider at the tournament in Toronto. It remains to be seen if a possible meeting between the two brings about a resolution. 

Rasmus Ristolainen, Buffalo Sabres

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

The Buffalo Sabres have a rising blue-line star in defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen. Determining how much to pay him on his next contract, however, could prove difficult to determine before training camp. 

Ristolainen, 21, steadily improved during his three seasons with the rebuilding Buffalo Sabres. In 2015-16, he led the Sabres in average ice time (25 minutes, 16 seconds) and finished second in blocked shots (137). The 6'4", 207-pounder was also fourth in team scoring (41 points) and fifth in hits (139). 

Ristolainen is coming off a three-year entry-level contract with an annual average value of $1.775 million. On July 1, Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News suggested Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Seth Jones as a comparable player. Earlier this summer, Jones signed a six-year, $32.4 million deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets. 

With $8.15 million in salary-cap space, the Sabres have the room to re-sign Ristolainen to a significant raise. If they ink him to an annual average salary comparable to Jones' $5.4 million, he'll become their highest-paid defenseman.

That would put Ristolainen ahead of veterans such as Zack Bogosian ($5.142 million) and Dmitry Kulikov ($4.3 million). At this stage in Ristolainen's young career, Sabres management could be reluctant to go that high for that long. 

Hampus Lindholm, Anaheim Ducks

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Determining how much to pay promising defenseman Hampus Lindholm appears to be a vexing issue for the Anaheim Ducks this summer. It could carry on into training camp before it's finally settled. 

In just three NHL seasons, Lindholm has blossomed into a top-pairing defenseman for the Ducks. Only 22, he led the club last season in blocked shots (115), was second in ice time (22 minutes per game) and tied for second in points (28) among Ducks defensemen with Cam Fowler. 

Lindholm's completed a three-year entry-level contract with an annual average value of $1,744,167. On July 29, Eric Stephens of the Orange County Register speculated it could cost the Ducks $5 million per season on a long-term deal to re-sign the young blueliner.

Stephens cited Danny DeKeyser of the Detroit Red Wings and Seth Jones of the Columbus Blue Jackets as comparable to Lindholm. DeKeyser recently signed a six-year, $30 million contract, while Jones inked a six-year deal worth $5.4 million per season.

Stephens also noted the Ducks re-signed defenseman Sami Vatanen to a four-year contract paying him $5 million in each of the first three seasons. 

The Ducks have over $7.5 million in salary-cap room. While they have enough to pay Lindholm a big raise, they're also a budget team. They also have an excess of defensemen. Re-signing Lindholm could lead to another Ducks blueliner hitting the trade block before the start of the regular season. 

Johnny Gaudreau, Calgary Flames

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

In just two full NHL seasons, Calgary Flames left wing Johnny Gaudreau established himself as a genuine NHL scoring star. The high cost of re-signing the talented 23-year-old, however, could lead to a holdout situation during training camp. 

During his rookie campaign in 2014-15, Gaudreau finished second among the Flames scorers in points with 64. With 30 goals and 78 points in 2015-16, Gaudreau led the Flames in goals and points. He also finished sixth among the league's scoring leaders. 

Gaudreau completed an entry-level contract worth an annual average value of $1.85 million. Considering his production over the last two seasons and his value to the Flames offense, he's in line for a substantial pay raise. 

On Aug. 19, the Flames re-signed Gaudreau's linemate Sean Monahan to a seven-year, $44.625 million contract. The annual average value is $6.35 million. Considering Gaudreau had better offensive stats than Monahan, he could seek between $6.5 million and $7 million annually on a seven- or eight-year deal. 

The Flames have just over $8.5 million in salary-cap room. They have sufficient space to re-sign Gaudreau, but they could prefer keeping his annual salary as close to Monahan's as possible. 

Gaudreau is also playing for Team North America in next month's World Cup of Hockey. On Aug. 17, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported the Flames winger doesn't wish to talk contract during that tournament. 

Jacob Trouba, Winnipeg Jets

Kelvin Kuo/Associated Press

Determining the value of defenseman Jacob Trouba appears the sticking point in his contract negotiations with the Winnipeg Jets. This issue could drag on into the start of training camp.

Trouba, 22, completed an entry-level contract worth an annual average value of $1,827,500. He has considerable potential as a top-two blueliner. The 6'3", 202-pounder plays a solid physical game and possesses two-way skills. However, his development stalled last season, netting only 21 points in 81 games.

On Dec. 14, 2015, Tim Campbell of the Winnipeg Free Press reported Trouba sought an eight-year, $56 million contract. The decline in his play in 2015-16 ensures he won't get anywhere near that much.

On Aug. 11, Sportsnet's Mark Spector reported questions remain over Trouba's ability to become a top-pairing rearguard. He speculated Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff wants to be sure of what he has in Trouba before committing to an expensive, long-term deal. Cheveldayoff could prefer a more affordable short-term bridge deal. 

Trouba will be playing for Team North America in next month's World Cup of Hockey. His participation in that tournament could bring about further delays in his contract talks. 

Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

Limited salary-cap room could make it difficult for the Tampa Bay Lightning to re-sign rising star right wing Nikita Kucherov. It could become a critical factor that forces the 23-year-old to stage a training-camp holdout.

In just three NHL seasons, Kucherov emerged as a scoring star for the Lightning. He was their points leader (66) in 2015-16. During the 2016 playoffs, he led the Bolts in goals (11) and points (19). Kucherov also finished second among all postseason goal scorers. 

Kucherov completed a three-year entry-level contract worth an annual average value of $894,167. Last season's impressive numbers gives him leverage to seek a lucrative long-term deal. He could look for a deal similar to the six-year, $36 million contract of Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg. 

The Lightning, however, have a little over $6.5 million in salary-cap space. They must also re-sign restricted free agent defenseman Nikita Nesterov. Inking Kucherov to a significant raise won't leave much for Nesterov, let alone keep them under the $73 million cap ceiling for 2016-17.

To give Kucherov a substantial raise, the Lightning could trade a player to free up cap room. That move, however, could depend upon what it costs to re-sign him. It also could take time to shed sufficient salary.  

Kucherov is also on Russia's roster for next month's World Cup of Hockey. During the tournament, he might be reluctant to discuss a new contract.

Player stats via NHL.com. Salary information via Cap Friendly.