4 Remaining Unsigned RFAs To Keep Eye On As Camps Open Wednesday

NHL players are reporting for medicals on Wednesday as training camps open across the league.  But there are four restricted free agents who have not signed contracts as of early Wednesday afternoon, and their participation at their teams' camps remains up in the air—except for one. 

• Adam Fantilli, Columbus Blue Jackets
• Simon Edvinsson, Detroit Red Wings
• Alexander Nikishin, Carolina Hurricanes 
• Brennan Othmann, Calgary Flames

Only the Detroit Red Wings' Simon Edvinsson has announced that he WILL attend training camp. The situation in the Motor City has been different than other teams, as they have been without a general manager in place all offseason long to negotiate important contracts (or trades) like this one for the top-pairing D-man.

But Shawn Horcoff was named the Interim GM this week, and he's been given the green light to negotiate contracts, so both sides are confident that a deal will get done, and Edvinsson will be at camp. 

The biggest name is Adam Fantilli in Columbus. The Blue Jackets and the former No. 3 overall selection have been at an impasse on a new contract, with a big gap still between them. But GM Don Waddell still thinks something will get done soon. 

As for unsigned center Adam Fantilli … #CBJ GM Don Waddell said he is “still confident that we’ll find a resolution in the near future.”
No plans as of today for the next conversation w Fantillli’s agent, Pat Brisson, but Waddell said he’ll send a proposal in the next 24 hours.

— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) September 16, 2026

Per insider Aaron Portzline, Waddell said today that he is “still confident that we’ll find a resolution in the near future.” He added that the team will be sending a new proposal to the Fantilli camp "in the next 24 hours."

Nikishin is another big name on the list, and it was revealed this week that he has requested a trade out of Carolina. Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour said this week, "We would love to have him back for sure," but that doesn't sound realistic at this point. At the same time, Brind'Amour added: "We don't worry about people that aren't here."

On the eve of @Canes training camp, Rod Brind'Amour talked to me about Alexander Nikishin's status. Love the player, but business is business. No hard feelings, team has to proceed with or without him. Full part 2 of my chat tonight on @Sports_Night #Nikishin pic.twitter.com/v5zH5MJ4kI

— Mike Solarte (@MikeSolarte) September 16, 2026

 The Hurricanes have confirmed that Nikishin will not be at camp.

Ethan Del Mastro signed with the Chicago Blackhawks Wednesday morning (2-years, $950K AAV) at the 11th hour so that he could be at camp, and the same goes for Matthew Poitras with the Boston Bruins (one year, $850K), also today.