On the long laundry list of issues with the competitive balance of the NHL is the lack of player mobility. Under the current system, a player cannot reach unrestricted free agency until they are either 27 years old or have played eight years in the league. This summer, the New York Rangers have five players that fall into another category, restricted free agency.
Players in this category have failed to reach either of the set parameters outlined above and in some cases are not even entitled to arbitration. This puts the player at the mercy of the organization they are negotiating with.