Could one team's bold moves influence other NHL squads to sign RFAs to offer sheets? Big names remain, but do they want to risk leaving their current group? Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA4NjEwMjI2Nzg0NDQ1NjEz/usatsi_21741123_168400847_lowres.jpg] Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond The St. Louis Blues stirred up the otherwise quiet NHL off-season earlier this week [https://thehockeynews.com/news/fallout-from-the-blues-signing-two-oilers-to-offer-sheets] by signing Edmonton Oilers defenseman Philip Broberg and winger Dylan Holloway to two-year offer sheets. All eyes are on the Oilers as they mull their options to match one or both within seven days from when Broberg and Holloway signed those offers from the Blues. Meanwhile, some observers wonder if clubs could be encouraged to follow the Blues' example with currently unsigned RFAs on other teams. The notable unsigned include Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider and winger Lucas Raymond, Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman, New Jersey Devils forward Dawson Mercer and Winnipeg Jets center Cole Perfetti. The Hockey News' Connor Earegood believes [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/game-day/why-the-broberg-and-holloway-offer-sheets-might-speed-up-detroits-rfa-process] the Blues' gambit with Broberg and Holloway could speed up the Red Wings' efforts to sign Seider and Raymond. Swayman recently said [https://www.audacy.com/weei/sports/bruins/swayman-a-lot-of-confidence-extension-will-get-done] he remains confident that a deal with the Bruins will be done. Meanwhile, Boston Hockey Now's Anthony Fantucchio doubted [https://bostonhockeynow.com/2024/08/13/boston-bruins-jeremy-swayman-not-at-risk-nhl-offseason-st-louis-blues-august-13-2024/] the Bruins risk losing the 25-year-old goalie to an offer sheet. He pointed out that Swayman is expected to sign a multi-year deal between $7.75 million and $10 million based on comparable contracts. It would take an expensive offer sheet to tempt Swayman, one that must exceed the Bruins' $8.6 million in cap space. New Jersey Hockey Now's James Nichols suggested [https://newjerseyhockeynow.com/2024/08/13/offer-sheet-new-jersey-devils-dawson-mercer-st-louis-blues-edmonton-oilers-dylan-holloway-philip-broberg/] Mercer could cost close to $4 million annually on a two-year offer sheet and around $6.5 million per season on a six-year deal, perhaps even exceeding $7 million. Meanwhile, The Hockey News' Carter Brooks wondered [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/winnipeg-jets/latest-news/will-the-blues-oilers-offer-sheet-situation-affect-winnipegs-cole-perfetti] what effect those offer sheets for Broberg and Holloway might have on the Jets' efforts to sign Perfetti. Some GMs could be undaunted and make a play for one of those players. Philly Hockey Now's Jonathan Bailey suggested [https://phillyhockeynow.com/2024/08/14/flyers-top-remaining-nhl-offer-sheet-candidates/] Perfetti, Mercer or Seattle Kraken center Matty Beniers as offer-sheet targets for the Flyers. However, there's no certainty Flyers management will go that route as they attempt to retool their roster. The Hockey News' Julian Gaudio said [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/seattle-kraken/players/should-the-kraken-be-worried-about-a-potential-matty-beniers-offer-sheet] the Kraken shouldn't worry about Beniers accepting an offer sheet, as not many teams would want to give up their draft capital or their cap space to make an offer Seattle can't match. Two factors are necessary for successful offer-sheet signings. One is the player's willingness to accept an offer from a rival club. If they aren't interested, that's as far as it goes. The other is the player's current team lacks sufficient cap space to match the offer. The Oilers were already over the cap, making Broberg and Holloway tempting targets for the Blues. The Red Wings, Bruins, Devils, Jets and Kraken all have considerable salary cap flexibility to counter such offers. Get the latest news and trending stories right to your inbox by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here [https://info.thehockeynews.com/mail/microsites/951/1/gTeQVf?_gl=1*ustlbj*_ga*NjkyMzUxMy4xNjYzNjIwMzQ3*_ga_PK63FB1PME*MTcxMzUwOTExNi40NDguMS4xNzEzNTA5MjA5LjU5LjAuMA..]. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or by visiting our forum [https://thehockeynews.rtb.io/THNHOME/posts].
