NHL makes changes to RFA offer sheet rules for 2019 offseason

Summer after summer the top hockey analysts in the world predict some sort of shakeup to the free agent market and beg for NHL general managers to throw out offers to restricted free agents. And every summer passes without a single offer sheet… 

In recent years David Pastrnak, Johnny Gaudreau, William Nylander and Leon Draisaitl have all been eligible to receive RFA offer sheets, but for whatever reason, NHL GMs have declined to go that route. But with some big name RFAs on the board and with some changes to RFA compensation this offseason, could we finally see some offer sheets thrown around?

Superstar players like Mikko Rantanen, Brayden Point, Mitch Marner, Sebastien Aho, Brock Boeser, Kyle Connor, Matthew Tkachuk and William Karlsson are all available, but at what cost?

Check out the NHL’s updated compensation plan for RFA offer sheets this offseason:

Offer Sheet (AAV) Compensation

$1,395,053 or below: None
Over $1,395,053 to $2,113,716: 3rd round pick
Over $2,113,716 to $4,227,437: 2nd round pick
Over $4,227,437 to $6,341,152: 1st, 3rd round picks
Over $6,341,152 to $8,454,871: 1st, 2nd, 3rd round picks
Over $8,454,871 to $10,568,589: (2) 1st, 2nd, 3rd round picks
Over $10,568,589: (4) 1st round picks

While top dogs like Rantanen, Point and Marner may command too much to make an offer sheet worthwhile, the secondary market of players like Aho, Boeser, Connor, Tkachuk and Karlsson could get some REAL looks. Or how about San Jose Sharks forwards Kevin LaBanc or Timo Meier who are breaking out in a BIG way this post-seas? Or how about Andreas Johnsson of the Leafs? 

Some intriguing options for sure.