6 RFA Signings In 2025 That Could Turn Out To Be Steals

There were many RFAs that signed deals, long and short, this offseason already. Some aren't the best, but others could turn out to be very good for their teams.

Lukas Dostal

The top goaltenders in the league have or will be signing for over $7.5/$8 million AAV, but the Anaheim Ducks got their guy for the next six years at $6.5 million AAV with the salary cap going up. Lukas Dostal showed that he's ready to hold down the net as a full time starter as he was a big reason the team finished where they did. From looking at his 23-23-7 record with a 3.10 GAA, .903 SV%, and one shutout, you may think it is an overpay, but Dostal is 25 years old and he finished with a goals saved above expected of 14.35, one of the top in the league. The Ducks won't have to worry about goaltending, and he's only going to put up better numbers overall when the team shows even more improvement in front of him.

Jackson Blake

The Carolina Hurricanes know how to identify talent and are also good at locking draft picks down long-term. That is what happened with Jackson Blake, a former fourth-round pick who put up 17 goals and 34 points as a 21-year-old rookie last season. While it isn't a lot to go off of, the Hurricanes swiftly extended Blake to an eight-year deal at $5.117 million AAV. He will play in the middle-6, plays on the power play, and had an excellent Corsi and expected goals for % last season. He is just breaking into the league and this deal looks like it's going to pay off immediately and especially in the latter half.

Dylan Samberg

Dylan Samberg took a huge step for the Winnipeg Jets last season by moving into the top-4 and jumping from 15:38 of ice time per game in 2023-24 to 21:08 ATOI in 2024-25. He firmly has a top-4 spot locked down on the Jets' defense and arguably makes Neal Pionk look a lot better. He signed for three years at $5.75 million AAV and some would say he's the second best d-man on the team and deserves more for longer.

Alex Laferriere

Alex Laferriere is part of the group of young LA Kings that have to hold down the team in the future as some of the veteran leaders finish up their careers. The Kings were only able to get him for three years, because he is likely going to demand more on his next contract, but the 23-year-old has proven he can produce in the NHL. He jumped up seven goals and 19 points from his rookie season and is another middle-6 player who can easily play in the top-6 all next season. Los Angeles signed him for three years at $4.1 million AAV after 19 goals and 42 points.

Kaapo Kakko

Kaapo Kakko immediately flipped a switch and started to show why he was drafted second overall after he was traded to the Seattle Kraken. With better minutes and playing alongside better players, he finished up last season with 10 goals and 30 points in 49 games with the Kraken after four goals and 14 points in 30 games with the New York Rangers. Kakko is only just 24 years old and just put up his best season of his career due to the trade and his new role. He will continue to get better with his confidence much higher and the Kraken signed him for three years at $4.525 million AAV. He had a 50 point scoring pace in Seattle, so if that is even matched, his contract already looks good.

Isaac Howard

Isaac Howard hasn't played a game for the Edmonton Oilers yet, but is pretty much slotted into the top-9. He will likely find himself playing a bunch of games on the top line at some point this season, and with his age and skill, the Oilers should really have something here with their rookie. He could only sign an entry-level deal, unlike all of these other players, but if he performs at all, he is already a step ahead of most of the younger players on entry-level deals due to his age.

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