Cutter Gauthier enters Joel Quenneville's Ducks season with his contract price suddenly pushed into a much more expensive neighborhood.
Elliotte Friedman believes Gauthier's expectations changed after Anaheim matched Leo Carlsson's $18,000,000 offer sheet and watched other young stars cash in.
Gauthier scored 41 goals last season. Friedman suggested the winger could now look at the market and see himself in the $15,000,000 to $16,000,000 range.
Macklin Celebrini receiving $18,800,000 annually and Connor Bedard landing $15,000,000 have completely altered the reference points available to young restricted free agents.
Adam Fantilli is facing a similar situation in Columbus. Friedman believes the centre's camp can look at Carlsson and Bedard and reasonably push toward that same salary territory.
Then there's Simon Edvinsson. His projected number reportedly sat around $8,000,000 to $8,500,000 before July, but the estimate has now climbed toward $9,500,000 to $10,000,000.
Those three negotiations matter beyond Anaheim, Columbus and Detroit because several clubs looking to take another step could be watching closely if talks ever shift from extensions toward trades or offer-sheet pressure.
Three blockbuster names suddenly drawing major interest from NHL teams
Gauthier would instantly command attention from teams needing another high-end scoring winger. The Rangers and Bruins fit that broad profile if Anaheim ever reached the point of considering alternatives, though no trade talks involving either club have been reported.
Fantilli would create an even larger market because young centres with top-six upside rarely become available. New Jersey, Seattle and Vancouver are clubs that could have reason to monitor any unexpected opening down the middle.
Edvinsson presents a different opportunity. Chicago and Philadelphia are still shaping younger rosters, and a big, established NHL defenseman entering his prime would naturally become interesting if Detroit ever lost control of negotiations.
None of those connections mean a deal is developing. These are restricted free agents, and their current teams control significant leverage.
The larger issue is what this summer's contracts have done to the market. Once Carlsson, Celebrini and Bedard established new benchmarks, every unsigned young star gained stronger numbers to bring into the room.
Gauthier, Fantilli and Edvinsson may all stay exactly where they are. But if even one negotiation breaks badly, several teams searching for another major piece should be ready to call.
Source : 3 more unsigned RFAs who might break the bank this summer.
Will one of these three RFAs force his team into a trade before opening night?
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