Every year fans have panic attacks about RFAs not signing, and every year we see what we’re seeing this week.
It’s the RFAs only way to protest, and hope other contracts get signed over the summer, to justify their asking price. Until they have arbitration rights, this is pretty normal. The team and player usually have a good idea what it’s gonna be, and just say, “ok, we’ll talk in September.” Then you’ll usually see the team hold certain cap space aside. Like Detroit held this $16+ million all summer. They knew it was spent. It’s why Edmonton deserved what happened btw. They spent Broberg and Holloway’s cap space like a drunken sailor.
Harley was the one Dman the Broberg deal looked like it might help, but at the end of the day, he came in, right around where people thought, on a bridge. He wasn’t ready for a long deal yet. He still plays a lot of protected minutes, but that likely changes this year. So If everything goes to plan, they’ll end up having to pay him in 24 months.
Dallas is one of the team’s I’m not on top of, but with the deals they have coming, as well as having the ability to do some things, they have to try ridding themselves of Seguin’s contract. Even retaining a nice chunk will help. Their just at that point, every dollar is gonna end up harder to find. Even if Benn leaves or takes a $4-$5 million cut after this year, Seguin’s money sure would help.
