NHL free agency is less than a week away, and UFA players will be hotly pursued. But there’s another group of players – RFAs – who will not only get interest from their current teams but who also could technically be offer-sheet targets from others. That said, we’re not suggesting any of the RFAs below will sign an offer sheet. That process is quite rare [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/why-offer-sheets-for-oilers-bouchard-and-leafs-knies-are-unlikely], and we might not see a single offer sheet get tendered this summer. With that disclaimer out of the way, let’s list the top six RFAs this year, listing them in alphabetical order: EVAN BOUCHARD, D, EDMONTON OILERS Bouchard’s regular-season numbers dipped last year from his career highs in goals, assists and points in 2023-24, but the 25-year-old still put up 53 assists and 67 points in 82 games. His seven goals and 23 points in 22 playoff games also were very solid. Thus, Bouchard is bound to get a massive raise on the $3.9 million he earned this past season [https://puckpedia.com/player/evan-bouchard]. The Oilers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers] are relatively tight to the salary cap ceiling, with $16.2 million in cap space [https://puckpedia.com/team/edmonton-oilers] this summer after trading Evander Kane [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/edmonton-oilers-unload-cap-space-and-risk-by-trading-evander-kane-to-vancouver-canucks] to the Vancouver Canucks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vancouver-canucks/latest-news/what-will-evander-kane-bring-to-the-vancouver-canucks] on Wednesday. That has led some to speculate Bouchard could be offer-sheeted, but Edmonton fans shouldn’t be too worried. Oilers management will match any offer sheet Bouchard receives. He’s Edmonton’s most important blueliner, is still not yet in his prime and wants to win a Stanley Cup. His salary will easily more than double, but he’s deserving of that kind of raise, and Oilers GM Stan Bowman should happily give it to him. MORGAN GEEKIE, C, BOSTON BRUINS The 26-year-old Geekie had a breakout season in 2024-25, generating 33 goals and 57 points in 77 games. Those totals are career bests in his six-year NHL career. Geekie earned $2 million in each of the past two seasons [https://puckpedia.com/player/morgan-geekie], so he deserves a big raise on a multi-year contract extension. The Bruins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/boston-bruins] are retooling on the fly, but don’t kid yourself – Geekie is a core component for Boston for the short term and long term. The Bruins were a bottom-five team in the league on offense last season, so they need all the help they can get producing goals. Geekie can be a huge help in that department, and Boston has more than enough cap space [https://puckpedia.com/team/boston-bruins] to accommodate his next salary. The team and player can’t overcomplicate this. Matthew Knies (John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/89129b20-ac38-4ab2-9c29-d9cbf71bed87.jpeg] Matthew Knies (John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images) MATTHEW KNIES, LW, TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS Like Geekie, Knies also had a breakout season last year, posting 29 goals and 58 points for the Leafs. Those numbers dwarfed his previous career highs of 15 goals and 35 points set in 2023-24. He did so while being one of the best bargains in the NHL at a salary of $925,000 [https://puckpedia.com/player/matthew-knies]. Knies has already shown the potential to be a premier power forward, not only for Toronto but in the entire NHL. It’s up to him whether he wants a long-term contract extension or a bridge deal that walks him toward a bigger potential payday two or three years from now. But there’s no question he’s one of the Maple Leafs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs]’ most crucial components next year and for many years after that. He will be handsomely compensated accordingly. JJ PETERKA, LW, BUFFALO SABRES Peterka has been one of the NHL’s more consistent young wingers in the past two years, combining to produce 55 goals and 118 points for Buffalo [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres] in that span. His 68 points this past season was a career high. As such, he’s become one of the Sabres’ most important players, and his 2024-25 salary of $855,834 [https://puckpedia.com/player/john-jason-peterka] will be left in the dust by his next contract. There have been rumblings that Peterka isn’t interested in remaining in Buffalo [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/nhl-rumor-roundup-sabres-entertain-offers-for-jj-peterka], so of all the RFAs in this list, he may be the one most susceptible to an offer sheet. He also could be traded by Sabres GM Kevyn Adams. But one way or another, Peterka will be paid much more money than he’s earned thus far in his NHL career. His current employer – or his next – will enthusiastically foot the bill for the 23-year-old’s services. MARCO ROSSI, C, MINNESOTA WILD Rossi had an outstanding second full season at the NHL level, setting new career highs in goals (24), assists (36) and points (60) in 82 games. But in the playoffs, he was barely used, averaging just 11:08 of ice time, setting off speculation [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/nhl-rumor-roundup-latest-on-mitch-marner-sam-bennett-and-marco-rossi] he wouldn’t be long with the Wild [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/minnesota-wild]. Even if that’s true, the 23-year-old will get a bump from the $863,334 he earned this past year [https://puckpedia.com/player/marco-rossi]. What Rossi lacks in size, he makes up for in creativity, and his skill set will be highly valued by more than a few teams, guaranteeing his bank account will be stuffed with money beginning next year. NHL Rumor Roundup: Latest On Mitch Marner, Sam Bennett And Marco Rossi [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/92b8a3d2-465d-4efc-a35b-298c8cdcef81.webp] NHL Rumor Roundup: Latest On Mitch Marner, Sam Bennett And Marco Rossi Recent speculations suggest Mitch Marner might consider signing a short-term contract instead of a long-term deal. [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/nhl-rumor-roundup-latest-on-mitch-marner-sam-bennett-and-marco-rossi] GABRIEL VILARDI, C, WINNIPEG JETS At 25, Vilardi set new personal bests in goals (27), assists (34) and points (61) this past season. He was already earning a decent amount at a $3.4375-million cap hit [https://puckpedia.com/player/gabriel-vilardi]. Vilardi plays on a high-octane Jets team that’s one of the NHL’s most potent offensive squads. Winnipeg has about $24.46 million in cap space [https://puckpedia.com/team/winnipeg-jets], so they can give Vilardi the raise he deserves. There’s little question Vilardi will be a Jet once again next year and that he’ll be a vital part of Winnipeg [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/winnipeg-jets]’s push to win a Cup for many campaigns to come. Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/i7OC4I]. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.
