Top 5 notable RFAs opting for arbitration feat. Martin Necas

Carolina Hurricanes forward Martin Necas was among the 14 RFAs who filed for arbitration on Friday, insider Elliotte Friedman reported. Restricted free agents have a right to request an independent arbitrator to hear their case and determine the fair amount for their next contract.

While RFAs can sign any time before the arbitration hearing, it’s worth pointing out that whatever the arbitrator decides is the amount awarded for a one-year deal. As such, both players and clubs would much rather avoid arbitration altogether.

With that in mind, here’s a look at the five most notable RFAs, including Martin Necas, who filed for arbitration on Friday.

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Martin Necas and other notable RFAs opting for arbitration

#5 Connor Dewar

The Toronto Maple Leafs acquired Dewar from the Minnesota Wild at the trade deadline last season. Since joining the Leafs, Dewar has played a key role in the team’s bottom six, offering solid penalty killing and overall defensive play.

Dewar is coming off a two-year, $1.6 million contract, according to PuckPedia. His $800K cap hit should increase. According to Evolving Hockey, Dewar should get a two-year with a $1.437 AAV.

#4 Ryan Lindgren

Lindgren emerged as a talented top-four defenseman for the New York Rangers. He played a key role in the Rangers' playoff run to the Eastern Conference Final this past season. Lindgren is coming off a three-year, $9 million deal, per PuckPedia. Given his performance, he should be in for a hefty raise.

Evolving Hockey projects Lindgren at six years, $4.888 AAV. That value may be too steep for the Rangers to afford. Eventually, the Rangers may need to clear significant cap space in order to ensure that Lindgren doesn’t get away.

#3 Kirill Marchenko

Marchenko has quietly asserted himself as one of the most reliable players on the Columbus Blue Jackets.

PuckPedia reports that Marchenko has ended a two-year, $1.85 million deal carrying a $925K cap hit. Considering that Marchenko had registered 23 goals and 42 points last season, he should get a decent pay raise.

Evolving Hockey projects that Marchenko should get a two-year deal with an AAV of $3.58. The Blue Jackets would do well to hold on to Marchenko even if the price tag seems a bit high.

#2 Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Luukkonen has emerged as the Buffalo Sabres’ goalie of the future. His solid play has given the Sabres reason to believe they have a starting netminder already on the roster.

However, Luukkonen needs a new contract, as his two-year, $1.68 million deal has expired, according to PuckPedia. In 54 games this season, Luukkonen posted a 2.57 GAA and a .901 SV%. That performance will most likely command a raise.

Evolving Hockey estimates a significant jump in Luukkonen’s salary. According to the projections, Luukkonen should get four years at an AAV of $5.24 per season. The Sabres should consider locking in Luukkonen before his value increases even further.

#1 Martin Necas

Martin Necas has been the subject of trade rumors throughout this offseason. Overall, he;s one of the most coveted young players in the league. His 53 points in 77 games this past season have elevated Martin Necas into the top-six forward conversation.

Per PuckPedia, Necas signed a two-year deal worth $6 million. However, he stands to get a significant pay raise. Evolving Hockey estimates that Necas is worth $8.82 million per season over eight years.

The Canes may not be able to afford that cap hit, hence the trade talk surrounding Martin Necas.