Report: Change in RFA Compensation Structure

[edthesandwich]

This could be interesting ...

A relatively weak unrestricted free-agent class means general managers may have to get more creative this summer in how they spend money. One option is signing a restricted free agent and the new changes in compensation, obtained by Sporting News, may make that option more attractive.

“Find a team that is near the cap and you can really (mess) with them,” one NHL source said.

The numbers and compensation are tied to the average league salary, which is $2.3 million.

2011 restricted free agent compensation

An offer with a $1,034,249 annual cap hit or less: No compensation
$1,034,249 -- $1,567,043: Third-round pick
$1,567,043 -- $3,134,055: Second-round pick
$3,134,088 -- $4,701,131: First and third-round pick
$4,701,131 -- $6,268,175: First, second and third-round pick
$6,268,175 -- $7,835,219: Two first-round picks, a second and third
$7,835,219 and higher: Four first-round picks

Here's the link to the story:

http://aol.sportingnews.com/nhl/stor...#ixzz1NOHqf6hw

I know it has always been sort of "taboo" to make offer sheets on other players' RFAs (see Lowe, Kevin), but with compensation reduced across the board, how can teams in position to make themselves better -- or make other teams' situations worse -- not give it serious consideration?

Discuss!

[30ranfordfan]

Mr. Lowe wasn't the first one to try it, he was just the first one in recent memory to actually find a GM who managed his team so poorly that he couldn't match (how good do Flyers fans think Ryan Kessler would look in Orange & Black, had Vancouver not retained him?).


With the adjusted numbers, I see two really nice options for teams looking to use this method of getting players (and I honestly don't understand why more team don't go this route??)

Offering a player 4.7 million, and getting into that 1st + 3rd range, and then the next level up at 6.2 and getting away with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd..... you could get a really nice player, at a pretty low cost (or handcuff another team).

[edthesandwich]

Mr. Lowe wasn't the first one to try it, he was just the first one in recent memory to actually find a GM who managed his team so poorly that he couldn't match (how good do Flyers fans think Ryan Kessler would look in Orange & Black, had Vancouver not retained him?).


With the adjusted numbers, I see two really nice options for teams looking to use this method of getting players (and I honestly don't understand why more team don't go this route??)

Offering a player 4.7 million, and getting into that 1st + 3rd range, and then the next level up at 6.2 and getting away with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd..... you could get a really nice player, at a pretty low cost (or handcuff another team).

You're right about Lowe, I only mentioned him because his offer for Penner generated plenty of "animated" reaction from Brian Burke, bringing the entire process into the spotlight. Vanek was another good example of a player who gained tremendously from having his name on an offer sheet.

With lower compensation guidelines in place, and this year's free-agent market considered to be thin -- especially up front -- I think you might see some offers made. As in, several. Here are some of the guys who are set to become RFA on July 1:

Steven Stamkos
Shea Weber
Drew Doughty
Tyler Bozak
Andrei Kostitsyn
Zach Parise
Luke Schenn
Zach Bogosian
Drew Stafford
Brandon Dubinsky
Devin Setoguchi
Josh Bailey
Zach Hamill
T.J. Oshie
Jakub Voracek
Patrik Berglund
Karl Alzner
Keith Yandle
Ryan O'Byrne
Clarke MacArthur

Wow. If you're a team with cap room, and one of the high-end guys is having difficulty coming to an agreement with his team, how can you not at least consider swooping in?