3 more unsigned RFAs who might break the bank this summer.

What many had predicted to be a relatively quiet free agency period in the National Hockey League this summer turned into anything but as contracts around the league exploded and several young men secured generational wealth for themselves and their families.

It was less than one year ago that fans were stunned when Minnesota Wild star forward Kirill Kaprizov signed an 8 year contract extension at an average annual value and salary cap hit of $17 million per season, but things have changed so quickly since that time that Kaprizov actually won't play a single game as the highest paid player in the NHL.

While several players like San Jose Sharks star forward Macklin Celebrini (5 years x $18.8 million), Anaheim Ducks star forward Leo Carlsson (5 years x $18 million) and Chicago Blackhawks star forward Connor Bedard (5 years x $15 million) have already signed their deals, there are still several more players who remain unsigned that will likely break the bank this summer.

Today I will look at the 3 players who are most likely to earn massive contracts of their own before the 2026-27 NHL season gets underway.

#1 Cutter Gauthier - Anaheim Ducks.

Gauthier sat back and watched teammate Leo Carlsson sign what was at the time the richest deal in NHL history this summer, and now it sounds like it's Gauthier's turn to benefit from that very same contract.

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman recently revealed that Gauthier's number has skyrocketed since the Ducks matched the offer sheet for Carlsson, with Gauthier now looking for one of the richest deals in the league as well.

"Cutter Gauthier scored 41 goals last year and maybe he's not expecting to make $18 [million] that Carlsson made or $18.8 [million] that Celebrini made but maybe now he's looking at it and saying now I'm a $15 [million] or $16 [million] guy," said Friedman on the NHL Network.

#2 Adam Fantilli - Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Blue Jackets have struggled to hang on to their star players over the years and after rumors of a potential Zach Werenski trade rocked that fan base earlier this summer, signing Fantilli has to be a major priority for that organization.

Like Gauthier, Fantilli is about to benefit tremendously from the contracts signed over the summer with NHL insider Elliotte Friedman predicting a gigantic raise for the Blue Jackets centerman as well.

"I think with Fantilli it's the same kind of thing, I wouldn't be surprised if they are looking at 'Ok well if Carlsson is $18 [million] and Bedard is $15 [million] I'd probably like to be in that range,'" revealed Friedman.

#3 Simon Edvinsson - Detroit Red Wings.

It's honestly a little surprising that the Red Wings haven't moved quickly to get Edvinsson signed after rumors of an offer sheet began rumbling around their young defenseman, but the turmoil following the exit of former Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman may be responsible for that.

Unfortunately for the Red Wings that's likely going to cost them millions with Edvinsson's number likely increasing significantly not only due to the contracts signed around the league this summer, but also due to the threat of a potential offer sheet.

Prior to July 1st most pundits projected Edvinsson's next contract to come in at average annual value of $8-8.5 million per season, with those projections now ballooning to $9.5-10 million in light of recent events.

Which of these 3 do you think will be next to break the bank?