Well, the initial stages of free agency 2018 are over. John Taveres, the plum free agent on the market, ended up signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs, spurning the team that drafted him, the New York Islanders. The Isles lost the value of a number 1 overall pick, and got nothing in return.
The Blue Jackets are facing a similar problem with Artemi Panarin, who has declined to enter into negotiations with the Blue Jackets, even though he could. Panarin is set to command top dollar and term when he goes to free agency July 1, 2019, and its possible that he will exercise that right.