This summer there are a number of key players hitting unrestricted free agency. Usually, teams will sign said players prior to the trade deadline to not risk losing them or getting into a bidding war on the open market. That was the case with Chris Kreider and the New York Rangers last season.
Yet here we are with players like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Gabriel Landeskog, and Dougie Hamilton all heading towards Free Agent Frenzy. But are they really going to get there? The answer is likely no.
NHL teams wisely using Seattle expansion rules in their favor
Before we go any further, let’s quickly recap the rules and why they are pertinent here.