NHL News: No Offer Sheets Coming for These 11 RFAs Who File for Salary Arbitration

Nick Robertson is one of 11 RFAs filing for salary arbitration

Eleven restricted free agents around the NHL have chosen to take their chances at the arbitration table this summer, making them ineligible to receive an offer sheet from another team.

The following players have elected for salary arbitration, while the clubs have until Sunday at 5pm ET to file for arbitration against any other of their eligible RFAs.

Eleven players have elected for salary arbitration according to @NHLPA. ⬇️

Deadline for club elected salary arbitration is Sunday evening. pic.twitter.com/F2Lxclqn38
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) July 5, 2025

The 11 players who've elected to go this route, in alphabetical order:

Morgan Barron (Winnipeg Jets)
Lukas Dostal (Anaheim Ducks)
Drew Helleson (Anaheim Ducks)
Kaapo Kakko (Seattle Kraken)
Nicholas Robertson (Toronto Maple Leafs)
Dylan Samberg (Winnipeg Jets)
Arvid Soderblom (Chicago Blackhawks)
Jayden Struble (Montreal Canadiens)
Conor Timmins (Buffalo Sabres)
Maksim Tsyplakov (New York Islanders)
Gabriel Vilardi (Winnipeg Jets)

Three notable names on the list who some feel could have been targeted by an offer sheet this summer include Gabe Vilardi of the Winnipeg Jets, Anaheim Ducks' goaltender Lukas Dostal, and Kaapo Kakko of the Seattle Kraken. But they, and the others, have chosen to stick it out with their incumbent teams, feeling confident about their chances to earn a good contract through an independent arbiter.

Vilardi, who had a career year in 2024-25 with 27 goals, 34 assists and 61 points in 71 games, just wrapped up a two-year bridge deal with a $3.4 million AAV. AFP Analytics had projected a four-year contract with a $6.8 million AAV for the Jets' top-line forward.

Dostal had an excellent second full season between the pipes for the Ducks, with a .903 save percentage in 49 starts. AFP projected him for a four-year contract with a $5.2 million cap hit.

Kakko was obtained by the Kraken from the NY Rangers midseason, and had a nice 49 games with the team, recording 10 goals and 30 points. He was projected by AFP Analytics to land a three-year deal at a $4.6 million AAV.

In Toronto, Maple Leafs forward Nick Robertson, who, last summer as an RFA without arbitration rights, insisted he wouldn't sign again with the Leafs after a frustrating few seasons, now is committed to working something out with the team for 2025-26, whether through a neutral arbitrator, or an agreement beforehand—unless Toronto can work out a trade for him. He had 15 goals, but once again saw limited minutes with the Buds. He's projected for a two-year, $1.55 million cap hit.

Which notable RFAs did not file for arbitration, staying open to an offer sheet?

Also of note, three players who were eligible for arbitration but did NOT file, include the Buffalo Sabres' Bowen Byram, the Philadelphia Flyers' Cam York, and the Utah Mammoth's Jack McBain. Those three can, indeed, still sign an offer sheet.