This is a big week on the RFA front, the pressure of the regular season approaching affecting both sides in each negotiation.



The Tampa Bay Lightning got the ball rolling Monday in re-signing Brayden Point to a three-year bridge deal with a $6.75 million AAV, so that pressure already has had an impact this week. Especially because of the penalty that awaits any team waiting until after the season begins to finally sign their player.



Remember that when William Nylander finally signed last Dec. 1, his AAV for last season was calculated for cap purposes at a whopping $10.2 million even though his actual AAV for the rest of the deal starting this season is $6.9 million.



The Leafs were still in smooth salary cap waters so it was no big deal. But if you’re cap-challenged teams like Calgary or Winnipeg, the start of the regular season certainly means something (Colorado has ample cap room so they don’t have to sweat it as much).



“The rule...