NHL Free Agency 2015: Restricted Free Agents Who Could Switch Teams

The NHL's 2015-16 salary cap will create some interesting scenarios for restricted free agents around the league this summer.

Tuesday's announcement of a $71.4 million salary-cap ceiling, per NHL.com, means a few teams will need to get creative in order to stay compliant next season, especially if they hope to re-sign some of their most valuable restricted free agents—often, younger players coming off their entry-level contracts and looking for big raises as they step into impact roles.

Cap-crunched teams are vulnerable to having other teams try to poach those young stars by signing them to offer sheets.

It's not a common scenario. First, the player and his agent need to agree to sign the offer sheet that has been presented by the new team. Then, the team that holds the player's rights can either match the offer or accept a compensation package in return for surrendering the player's rights. Compensation is determined by the value of the contract, which is broken down at Hockey-Reference.com.

This year, some teams simply won't have the cap space to sign their best RFAs as their current rosters stand. That means they'll either lose those players through offer sheets, or they'll try to trade their rights in order to maintain a degree of control over where the player lands and what needs of their own can be addressed.

Of course, some RFA movement this summer could also happen the old-fashioned way: teams trading the rights to young players who no longer fit into their plans.

Here's a look at six of the highest-profile RFAs who could be wearing new uniforms when training camp opens in September.

Dougie Hamilton: Boston Bruins

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Age: 22

Previous Contract: three years, cap hit $1.494 million

Why He Could Change Teams

The Bruins are in one of the stickiest cap situations in the NHL, with $63.3 million committed to just 15 players next season, including $4 million for injured forward Marc Savard that won't come off the books until after opening day.

Dougie Hamilton's believed to be on the cusp of becoming an elite defenseman, and Joe Haggerty of CSNNE.com suggested that his agents are looking for a new deal that could go as high as $7 million a season.

That'll be tough for the Bruins to fit into their salary structure. Haggerty thinks "a two-year deal in the $4.5-5 million-per-season range would give the young D-man a nice bump," but he said the Bruins would go higher if necessary.

"A source with knowledge of the Hamilton situation has indicated to CSNNE.com that the Bruins are prepared to go all the way to $7 million a season to match any offer sheet coming the defenseman’s way," Haggerty wrote.

Possible Landing Spots

The Edmonton Oilers and Columbus Blue Jackets are both in need of a top-pairing defenseman and have enough cap space available to make an aggressive offer for Hamilton.

Marcus Kruger: Chicago Blackhawks

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Age: 25

Previous Contract: two years, cap hit $1.325 million

Why He Could Change Teams

On the Chicago Blackhawks, budding star and impending restricted free agent Brandon Saad has received the lion's share of the attention as an attractive offer-sheet candidate, but general manager Stan Bowman has made it clear that Saad is part of Chicago's future plans.

"He's going to be a big part of our group for many years to come," Bowman told Brian Hedger of NHL.com after his team's Stanley Cup win. "We'll make it work."

Bowman spoke nearly as enthusiastically about center Marcus Kruger, according to Scott Powers of ESPN.com: "...we want to bring him back and make it known he’ll be a part of this going forward. We’re going to have discussions with his agent just like we will have Saad. We’re hopeful we’ll get something done." 

Once Bowman clears cap space for Saad, he might not have enough wiggle room left to get a Kruger deal done as well—especially if another team signs him to a deliberately predatory offer sheet. 

Possible Landing Spots

Breaking down possession numbers, Dave Stevenson of Stars and Sticks makes a compelling argument for why Kruger would be a great fit as a checking center for the Washington Capitals, whether or not they re-sign unrestricted free agent Eric Fehr.

The Caps currently have just eight forwards under contract for next season, so second-year general manager Brian MacLellan could set off some fireworks if he uses his roster flexibility to make a move on Kruger.

Tyler Toffoli: Los Angeles Kings

Kathy Kmonicek/Associated Press

Age: 23

Previous Contract: three years, cap hit $870,000

Why He Could Change Teams

Like the Blackhawks, the Los Angeles Kings flirt dangerously with the salary-cap ceiling because they've been successful. Winning players can rightfully command bigger contracts.

After just two full seasons in the NHL, Tyler Toffoli has already earned a Stanley Cup ring and evolved into an impressive second-line forward, with 23 goals and 49 points in 2014-15.

Unless the Kings can find a way to get Mike Richards' big contract off their books, Toffoli could get snatched away by an aggressive general manager with a well-constructed offer sheet.

Possible Landing Spots

Teams like Buffalo and Arizona could easily take on a Toffoli contract with a cap hit of $4 to $5 million per season, but it's unlikely the player would sign an offer sheet to go to one of the league's cellar-dwelling teams.

A more realistic option could be the Nashville Predators, who were well-served by their unrestricted free-agent signings last season. General manager David Poile might be willing to invest a little more in a young player with plenty of upside who can bring some championship experience to his developing team.

Mikael Granlund: Minnesota Wild

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Age: 23

Previous Contract: three years, cap hit $2.1 million

Why He Could Change Teams

On their way to becoming a Western Conference contender, the Minnesota Wild have loaded up on big contracts—first for Zach Parise and Ryan Suter, then with deals for supporting players like Jason Pominville and Thomas Vanek.

Goaltender Devan Dubnyk's the next member of the Wild who's looking to hit a home run at the negotiating table. If general manager Chuck Fletcher doesn't leave himself enough salary-cap flexibility, that could put the future of restricted free agent Mikael Granlund in danger.

Granlund's coming off his entry-level deal and took a small step backward in his development last year, largely due to a broken wrist suffered in December. But he has great skills and has already scored some otherworldly goals in his career—most notably an overtime game-winner against Colorado during the 2013-14 playoffs and a highlight-reel lacrosse-style goal for Finland at the 2011 world championships.

Possible Landing Spots

According to Michael Russo of the Minnesota Star Tribune, Granlund's agent Todd Diamond is looking for a short-term deal with the Wild, hoping that further improvement will set him up for a longer, more lucrative contract one or two years down the road.

The Calgary Flames have plenty of cap space, they're a team on the rise and they have younger brother Markus Granlund already in the fold. With a rich enough offer, Mikael could be tempted to sign an offer sheet that will get him more money in the short term and a chance to continue his hockey evolution in a new marketplace.

Alex Galchenyuk: Montreal Canadiens

Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Age: 21

Previous Contract: three years, cap hit $3.225 million

Why He Could Change Teams

There's plenty of intrigue surrounding Alex Galchenyuk and his situation with Montreal. On June 23, the young center hired Pat Brisson as his new agent.

"I tried to make him understand that he has to be patient," ousted rep Igor Larionov told Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette. "I had to wait when I was a young player; every great player has a time when he’s going to be on the bench, but you have to learn that’s part of the game."

In addition to concerns about his ice time, Galchenyuk may also be unsettled by rumors of a changing role with the Canadiens. At his end-of-season press conference back in May, general manager Marc Bergevin suggested natural center Galchenyuk could serve the team better if he played as a winger, according to Ryan Dixon of Sportsnet.

"I hope things work out because the Canadiens are a great organization and all the Russian players who go there really enjoy playing there," Larionov said.

If player and team can't find some common ground in their contract negotiations, a trade might be the most amenable solution for both parties.

Possible Landing Spots

If Galchenyuk is on the market, Bergevin should be able to cherry-pick the trade of his choice. Even as a disgruntled underachiever, big 21-year-old centers with three years of NHL experience don't become available every day.

If Bergevin's looking for a true top-line winger, a swap with the Edmonton Oilers for Jordan Eberle could make sense. So could a Patrick Sharp deal with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Nazem Kadri: Toronto Maple Leafs

John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Age: 24

Previous Contract: two years, cap hit $2.9 million

Why He Could Change Teams

Nazem Kadri's had a bumpy ride in Toronto—a young, Ontario-born player who was drafted and developed by the Leafs organization but whose "maturity and commitment" have come into question, per Curtis Rush of the Toronto Star. 

When Kadri was sent home after arriving late for a team meeting back in March, only 30 percent of Star poll respondents said they didn't expect the incident to impact the young center's future with the team.

Regarding Kadri and his fellow restricted free agent Jonathan Bernier, Toronto co-general manager Kyle Dubas told Chris Johnston of Sportsnet on June 22 that "both will be on our roster next year and key parts of our team."

At the moment, the Leafs have the cap space to complete new contracts with both players, but they're also looking for a major roster overhaul after a disastrous 2014-15 season.

Kadri probably won't get offer-sheeted, but he could be traded out of Toronto if an impasse develops in contract negotiations.

Possible Landing Spots

Kadri could be a bargaining chip for Toronto to acquire a high-end player who needs to be moved from a cap-strapped team or one who'd be willing to waive his no-trade clause to play in the center of Canada's hockey universe. Once again, Chicago's Patrick Sharp comes to mind.

Kadri could also be dealt to another team that's having trouble signing an RFA forward of its own—like, say, Alex Galchenyuk in Montreal.

All stats from NHL.com. Contract information from NHLNumbers.com.