Sam Reinhart (Left), William Nylander (Middle) and Noah Hanifin (Right).
Harper Cotie
With NHL training camp only a month away, there’s a trio of notable free agents that are still unsigned. These three are all restricted free agents (RFAs). It’s important to know the difference between RFA and UFA (unrestricted free agent). After a player’s entry level deal has expired, they become an RFA, but they can’t go and sign with any team. At the age of 27 however, you become unrestricted and you’re free to speak with any team.
These three players are all RFAs and are all under 23 years old; Noah Hanifin of the Calgary Flames (21), Sam Reinhart of the Buffalo Sabres (22), and William Nylander of the Toronto Maple Leafs (22).
Let’s start with Noah Hanifin. The 21-year-old defenseman was selected fifth overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2015. After three seasons with the Canes, Hanifin was shipped off to the Calgary Flames in a blockbuster deal that had Hanifin and 23-year-old winger Elias Lindholm going to the Flames in exchange for blue liner Dougie Hamilton, and forwards Michael Ferland and Adam Fox. Surprisingly, Flames General Manager Brad Treliving locked up Lindholm before Hanifin, signing him to a six year/$29.1 million-dollar deal carrying a cap hit of $4.85 million.
Hanifin had a breakout year in 2017-18 with Carolina, notching 10 goals and 22 assists for 32 points. So, if you’re wondering why the Hurricanes chose to part ways with the young defender, it may have to do with his play in his own end, and the fact that it was him or Justin Faulk rumoured to be dealt. I think a contract very similar to the one that Brady Skjei signed this summer with the Rangers, would make sense for Hanifin and the Flames. Therefore, I say five times five for the Boston native.
Let’s move on to Sam Reinhart of the Buffalo Sabres. The 22-year-old was taken second overall by Tim Murray and the Sabres in 2014. Reinhart broke out offensively in his third season in Buffalo, registering 25 goals and 25 assists for 50 points. Reinhart struggled during the first half of the 2017-18 season, which was a cause for concern for Sabres management and their fan base. It even went as far as Reinhart’s name being brought up in trade speculation, but that quickly changed. Reinhart was arguably one of the best Sabres’ during the second half of the season, producing close to a point per game with Jack Eichel out of the lineup. Reinhart has shown chemistry with Eichel and that is extremely important for the Sabres moving forward, but it’s all about consistency for Sam. Therefore, a three-year bridge deal at $5 million annually, would make the most sense for Reinhart and the Sabres.
Finally, William Nylander. The 22-year-old was selected eighth overall in 2014 and has already proven to be, far and away, the better player than the number two overall pick Reinhart. In his first three seasons, Nylander has close to the same amount of points as Reinhart, despite playing less games. Reinhart has played 64 more games than Nylander in his career, totaling 140 points in 249 contests, while Nylander has 135 points in 185 games. In the 2017-18 campaign, Nylander equalled his point total from the year before, putting up 61 points (20 goals, 41 assists). Nylander is only going to get better. So, for Kyle Dubas and the Leafs, rather than giving him a bridge deal and having to pay him more money in 2-3 years, they should do everything they can to lock him up long term. A 6-year-deal deal at $6 million per, would be perfect. Since the Leafs must retain Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner after next season for a boat-load of cash, this kind of deal would be a bargain for Nylander.
We’ll continue to keep a close eye on these three over the next few weeks.