The NHL’s current model for free agency is pretty bad when it comes to player rights. It takes eight years of service in the player’s union or reaching age 27 before they can ever become an unrestricted free agent. This summer, the New York Rangers have five players who are in the other category, restricted free agency.
These are players that are under team control and cannot get offers from other teams. In the case of Pavel Buchnveich, Neal Pionk and Fredrik Claesson, they all have arbitration rights. This means that if the player and the Rangers cannot come to an agreement, they will each present a one-year salary number and a case for it.