If Forsberg makes it clear he's not re-signing with them then this kind of action probably makes sense for the Preds, but I don't think same applies to Bruins. Paying DeBrusk for uncertain UFA rights seem pretty hefty to me. Not to mention I think this contract here is underpayment. I can see Forsberg getting $9M from free agency.

I get where they're going from though - if Forsberg gets $9M in UFA, he can only sign for 7 years, so the contract is worth $63M. With the extra year of term, even at a lower cap hit, he clears about $67M - so it does pay him more. I guess it boils down to if Forsberg thinks he could clear more than the $4M on his next contract when he's 34 - a big gamble!

While I get the money point, there's also one thing going for him if he becomes an UFA and that's the freedom of choice. He can sign anywhere. At that point I'd argue it holds more value in than a couple of million bucks in 7 years time do.

He's going to want to commit to a place for probably the rest of his career. If it's not the Preds, I think he wants to keep his cards wide open.

To add here, I think since Forsberg didn't play a single game in Bruins before the deadline he can only sign a 7 year deal with them even if they acquired his UFA rights. To get an 8 year deal for him now I think they need Preds to sign him and then trade him.

Would you bruin fans stop sending Folingo to Columbus. Columbus has no room for him with too many forwards needing ice time already and he wants to win a cup, that’s why he left Columbus in the first place, maybe he comes back and retires a blue jacket but that’s when his career is over, not now.

While I get the money point, there's also one thing going for him if he becomes an UFA and that's the freedom of choice. He can sign anywhere. At that point I'd argue it holds more value in than a couple of million bucks in 7 years time do.

He's going to want to commit to a place for probably the rest of his career. If it's not the Preds, I think he wants to keep his cards wide open.

To add here, I think since Forsberg didn't play a single game in Bruins before the deadline he can only sign a 7 year deal with them even if they acquired his UFA rights. To get an 8 year deal for him now I think they need Preds to sign him and then trade him.

1- boston only trades for his rights if hes willing to sign with them. So if hes willing to sign with them then hed rather the extra money.
2- as for the 8 year deal, it doesnt make a difference about ganes played. As long as he is still under contract the team that holds his rights can sign him to an 8 year deal.

1- boston only trades for his rights if hes willing to sign with them. So if hes willing to sign with them then hed rather the extra money.
2- as for the 8 year deal, it doesnt make a difference about ganes played. As long as he is still under contract the team that holds his rights can sign him to an 8 year deal.

An SPC with a term of greater than seven (7) years, provided, however, that a Club may sign a Player to an SPC with a term of up to eight (8) years if that Player was on such Club’s Reserve List as of and since the most recent Trade Deadline. With respect to potential Unrestricted Free Agents only, the ability to re-sign a Player to an SPC of eight (8) years expires when the Player becomes an Unrestricted Free Agent. With respect to a Player who becomes a Group 2 Restricted Free Agent, a Club may sign such Player to an SPC with a term of up to eight (8) years provided such Player was on such Club’s Reserve List and/or Restricted Free Agent List as of and since the most recent Trade Deadline.

Actually never mind that, they can't. This was a thing last year when Hamilton was about to reach free agency.

A quote from the CBA



As far as I understand, player acquired after trade deadline cannot be signed to an 8-year deal.

Thats only if they are an rfa.
"With respect to potential Unrestricted Free Agents only, the ability to re-sign a Player to an SPC of eight (8) years expires when the Player becomes an Unrestricted Free Agent." So before that player becomes an unrestricted free agent (on july 1st) he can be signed to an 8 year deal.

Thats only if they are an rfa.
"With respect to potential Unrestricted Free Agents only, the ability to re-sign a Player to an SPC of eight (8) years expires when the Player becomes an Unrestricted Free Agent." So before that player becomes an unrestricted free agent (on july 1st) he can be signed to an 8 year deal.

So if you acquire a rental RFA after deadline (for example during draft) you can't sign him to 8-year deal (the first sentence)?

That sounds off to me.

Also wasn't this a thing with Hyman last year as well? People were saying Oilers need to pay something for TOR to sign Hyman for 8-year deal because they themselves weren't able to do so.

So if you acquire a rental RFA after deadline (for example during draft) you can't sign him to 8-year deal (the first sentence)?

That sounds off to me.