How Do You Handle Our 2027 RFAs?

[TBone]

The fallout of the Leo Carlsson offer sheet has everyone wondering what the new normal for salaries is, particularly with RFAs.

A year from now the Blues will have five RFAs: Jimmy Snuggerud, Jake Neighbours, Joel Hofer, Logan Mailoux and Jonathon Berggren.

According to Sportrac the Blues have 13 players under contract for 2027 with $52,579,168 in cap room, so money won't be an issue.

The real question is what do you think are likely contracts for each and at what point do you take the draft picks?

Here are the projected salary and compensation levels for 2027...

Projected 2027-28 RFA Compensation Tiers

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Projected Offer Sheet AAV - Draft Pick Compensation Required

$1,719,928 or less - None
$1,719,928 to $2,605,951 - One 3rd-round pick
$2,605,951 to $5,211,905 - One 2nd-round pick
$5,211,905 to $7,817,856 - One 1st-round and one 3rd-round pick
$7,817,856 to $10,423,809 - One 1st-round, one 2nd-round, and one 3rd-round pick
$10,423,809 to $13,029,763 - Two 1st-round, one 2nd-round, and one 3rd-round pick
$13,029,763 or more - Four 1st-round picks

[skilles]

To much unknown, their production this season will be a huge factor.

[Old_Goat]

The fallout of the Leo Carlsson offer sheet has everyone wondering what the new normal for salaries is, particularly with RFAs.

A year from now the Blues will have five RFAs: Jimmy Snuggerud, Jake Neighbours, Joel Hofer, Logan Mailoux and Jonathon Berggren.

According to Sportrac the Blues have 13 players under contract for 2027 with $52,579,168 in cap room, so money won't be an issue.

The real question is what do you think are likely contracts for each and at what point do you take the draft picks?

Here are the projected salary and compensation levels for 2027...

Projected 2027-28 RFA Compensation Tiers

----------------------------------------------

Projected Offer Sheet AAV - Draft Pick Compensation Required

$1,719,928 or less - None
$1,719,928 to $2,605,951 - One 3rd-round pick
$2,605,951 to $5,211,905 - One 2nd-round pick
$5,211,905 to $7,817,856 - One 1st-round and one 3rd-round pick
$7,817,856 to $10,423,809 - One 1st-round, one 2nd-round, and one 3rd-round pick
$10,423,809 to $13,029,763 - Two 1st-round, one 2nd-round, and one 3rd-round pick
$13,029,763 or more - Four 1st-round picks

The only prediction I will make is that we will wish that we had given Mailloux a longer contract for what would have been less money than we will want/need to pay him next.
However, there will be no point in arguing and being upset about looking in the rearview mirror, because at the time that move made the most sense.

[dhsux]

To much unknown, their production this season will be a huge factor.

Yes way too many could be's and what ifs unless we base it off todays playing level.

[DawgDad]

Snuggerud: I expect him to round out his game as a 200' top line RW. If they keep Holloway-Thomas and him together and they stay healthy Jimmy is going to rack up a whole lot of points. I see him at $10 million per, maybe more. If he gets a ridiculous offer sheet whether he stays or goes might depend on how Carbonneau looks at that time, and whether or not he prefers to move on.

Hofer: How much is another team willing to pay for a goaltender? A year of development might get a young replacement close enough to be a card in the Blues hand, but I expect Hofer will get the market rate for a #1.

Neighbours: I view him as a middle-6 winger who can play up as a fill-in, best suited as 3LW. The NHL world is replete with 3LWs. He's a character guy who could pot 25-30 goals but he's replaceable, and that's going to either moderate his salary or get him traded.

Mailloux: His play will dictate his future. As a reliable 1RD with moderate stats for that level he's worth a lot but not top dollar. $8-11 million. If he pops offensively his value will push the limit, more likely around $9 per. If he slides back from 1RD level play and consistency he might be traded.

Berggren: JAG, until he isn't.

I might be reading this right, I might be way off-base. We'll see.

[hornetfb52]

Snuggerud I’m matching pretty much anything that’s offered. Would be surprised if his offers are more than 11-12. Give it to him.

Match anything Hofer gets

Neighbors/Mailloux I’m likely matching, but need to see more.

[Army's Mom]

How many of our RFAs are even eligible for offer sheets? Do playoff games count for the 10 games = 1 year rule, in Snuggerud's case?

[TruBlueFan_1970]

To much unknown, their production this season will be a huge factor.

Yes way too many could be's and what ifs unless we base it off todays playing level.

And another unknown is that it could actually be 6 players if for some reason the Blues and McMichael can’t come to terms and the arbiter gives a 1-year deal. He’s be an RFA again next season. Most of the time, these don’t go to a hearing, but with the crazy money being thrown around, maybe he takes the 1-year award and goes into next season with the cap going up again. Anyway, Skilles hit the nail on the head, performance this season matters.

[Bubble4427]

How many of our RFAs are even eligible for offer sheets? Do playoff games count for the 10 games = 1 year rule, in Snuggerud's case?

Snugs can’t be offer sheeted next season.

[bluetunehead]

I’m not really worried about offer sheets at this point.

-Snuggerud won’t be eligible.
-Neighbours is a good player but unlikely to warrant anything ridiculous thrown his way.
-Berggren is probably similar.
-Mailloux could end up costing a lot but he’s still such a mystery that I wouldn’t want to jump the gun on a deal.
-Hofer gets matched regardless if he has another solid season and proves he’s a legit #1. If he struggles then we have bigger problems.

[TAFKAP]

Mailloux could end up costing a lot but he’s still such a mystery that I wouldn’t want to jump the gun on a deal.

I hope he's so good his play forces us to pay him 10-12 million over 7.

[bluetunehead]

Mailloux could end up costing a lot but he’s still such a mystery that I wouldn’t want to jump the gun on a deal.

I hope he's so good his play forces us to pay him 10-12 million over 7.

Yeah exactly. I hope he earns a huge contract and the Blues have to give him one. But we'll see.

[zamadoo]

Snuggerud I’m matching pretty much anything that’s offered. Would be surprised if his offers are more than 11-12. Give it to him.

Match anything Hofer gets

Neighbors/Mailloux I’m likely matching, but need to see more.

Maybe Steen has other ideas, but I would think Hofer is priority #1. Would be tough to let him post superb numbers into his RFA year with expanding salary cap, and have to match something like $12M.

Haremstrom is too far to try to bridge, if he is even the real deal. Would they go with Binner for longer after losing Hofer? Makes me wonder if some of these guys want to stick around to play for Steen and give it another shot for success in the Blue Note now that things are turning around. I think we'll see signings and moves made from here through the season based on relationships behind the scenes and who wants to be here. Who knows, Hofer has an embarrassing meme about him now, so maybe he's ready to move on

[billybaseball]

How many of our RFAs are even eligible for offer sheets? Do playoff games count for the 10 games = 1 year rule, in Snuggerud's case?

Snugs can’t be offer sheeted next season.

Yes he can. If you play in 10 or more NHL games in three seasons you are eligible. Playoff games count.

[billybaseball]

If any of our RFA's not named Snuggerud gets an offersheet that lands in the top two tiers, take the picks. Snuggerud is the only one that is an elite player at their position. Mailloux maybe the exception if Jiricek doesn't continue to develop and he plays more like he did in the second half. Unprotected 1st maybe the only way the Blues ever luck into an elite lottery pick.

[billybaseball]

2028 if we lose every RFA not named Snuggerud

Holloway-Thomas-Snuggerud
Buchnelikov-McTavish-Buchnevich
Stenberg-Dvorsky-Carbonneau
4th line

Broberg-Parayko
Nikishin-Jiricek
Fowler-Carlo

Binnington
Romanov/Gidlof/Love/Cranley/Proskurin