The adjustment has already started. After watching a high number of talented restricted free agents remain unsigned well into training camp, NHL general managers have upped their aggression to prevent that from happening again. Already this season, we’ve seen 2020 RFAs like Nico Hischier, Alex DeBrincat, Clayton Keller and Thomas Chabot get long-term contracts done to avoid a similar situation.



If that continues, there will likely be an impact on the still-impressive crop of 2020 unrestricted free agents.



“All these (RFAs) have signed early, which is interesting,” said one agent. “That limits the amount of money available to the UFAs. But we saw this past summer, the market was still lucrative for some players. Not for others.”



That’s the challenge now for a potential UFA. Some guys, like Taylor Hall, are going to get paid no matter what. But you also don’t want to be the guy who waits too long.



“I...