Several notable NHL forwards have one year remaining on their current contracts. They became eligible for extensions on July 1, and some of them should see new contracts this summer.
Earlier in the summer, the focus points of the NHL offseason were the 2023 NHL Draft and free agency. Now that the free agent market has been open for a few weeks, NHL news has been slower, although there are still free agent signings and trades happening.
An area of focus for the later days of summer will be early extensions for some players who are set to become restricted free agents or unrestricted free agents in the 2024 offseason. There's not as much of a rush to get these deals done, so they often take a backseat to other offseason moves despite next offseason's UFAs and RFAs being eligible for an extension as of July 1.
NHL Rumors: Contract extensions incoming?
Sometimes, teams like to lock a player up for the future a year early. This might be to avoid a player becoming a UFA next year, to nail a player down before their value goes up, or to eat into some of an RFA's potential UFA years.
Here are five NHL forwards a year out from free agency ranked in order of how likely they are to sign early extensions this summer.
Forwards most likely to sign early extensions: 5. Jake Guentzel (Pittsburgh Penguins)
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jake Guentzel is anticipated to hit unrestricted free agency in the 2024 offseason. The Penguins are likely to lock him up this summer to avoid him becoming a UFA next year. No deal is in the works quite yet, but it should be on the horizon. The Penguins narrowly missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season, and they're at the end of a window to complete, so it'll be interesting to see how the roster looks next season.
The Penguins view the 28-year-old playmaker as a core player in their organization. Guentzel sees a lot of time on Sidney Crosby's wing. He scored 36 goals in 2022-23, just below his 40-goal feat in 2021-22.
Much like other NHL teams, the Penguins have been busy with other more time-sensitive moves, so an early extension for a player with a year left on his contract hasn't been the top priority. The Penguins have been chasing Erik Karlsson, and it is reportedly now between them and the Carolina Hurricanes for the San Jose Sharks defenseman.
In The Athletic (subscription required), Josh Yohe said that no talks with Guentzel's camp had taken place yet, but he expressed, "I'd be surprised if a deal doesn't get done at some point in the next few months." He also noted that he believes Guentzel wants to remain in Pittsburgh. A Guentzel extension might not happen immediately, but it sounds like it is likely to happen before puck drop this fall.
Forwards most likely to sign early extensions: 4. Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs)
There's been a lot of talk this offseason about the possibilities for Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews. The 25-year-old center's five-year contract ends after next season, when he'll become a UFA. The Maple Leafs are trying to avoid Matthews reaching UFA status next offseason, so contract extension talks are reportedly already underway. Matthews has full no-move protection.
The Leafs expect Matthews to be a part of their future, as their team is undeniably stronger with him on the ice. Last season, the elite offensive forward scored 40 goals and notched 45 assists. In 2021-22, Matthews tallied a staggering 60 goals.
There's no guarantee the deal gets done this summer, but signs point toward the Leafs and Matthews wanting to get it done sooner rather than later. "I think that one's going to work out," NHL insider Elliotte Friedman said on the NHL Network. "I wouldn't be surprised if it happens at some point this summer," he added.
Matthews and his teammate William Nylander are both eligible for extensions, but Nylander isn't on this list because an early extension doesn't seem as likely for him. It sounds like Nylander and the Leafs aren't close to the same page with extension talks.
The Leafs certainly don't want to lose Nylander or Matthews, but if it comes down to one or the other due to the salary cap, the Leafs would keep Matthews over Nylander. There have been whispers of Nylander being a potential trade candidate if the two sides can't strike a deal. Matthews, on the other hand, should see his deal get done, and it could happen in the quiet days of late summer.
Forwards most likely to sign early extensions: 3. Dawson Mercer (New Jersey Devils)
The New Jersey Devils would be wise to lock up Dawson Mercer this summer. The 21-year-old forward's entry-level contract expires after next season, when he will become an RFA. The Devils can avoid Mercer's RFA status next summer by completing an extension before then.
Mercer was electric during the 2022-23 season, playing in all 82 games for the Devils. He tallied 56 points, up from the previous season's 42. He had many memorable moments during the season, including a hat trick, an eight-game goal streak, and a twelve-game point streak. Mercer has seen time as a center and as a winger. If Mercer doesn't sign an extension this offseason and has a great season in 2023-24, the budding star's value goes up and so does his price tag.
The Devils are hoping to get an extension done with Mercer sooner than his contract's expiration. "I definitely would like to explore tying this young man up long-term," GM Tom Fitzgerald said in June. A long-term contract could eat into some of Mercer's potential UFA years. A shorter contract could allow this young, talented player to take advantage of the increase in the salary cap, so it will be interesting to see where this one lands. Mercer is eligible to become a UFA in 2028.
Fitzgerald noted that there's no rush and that an extension could happen at any point after July 1. His comments indicate that a Mercer extension is coming, although it was not the top priority this summer, which makes sense with all the other more time sensitive moves the Devils had on tap.
In a piece for the Players' Tribune in April, Mercer professed his gratitude for being on the Devils. "I don't know how else to say it other than to say it simply: I'm just really glad I'm a Devil," he said. In the piece, Mercer spoke highly of his teammates, coach, the organization, and Devils fans. Fitzgerald should get this done so that Mercer can continue building something really special with the team.
Forwards most likely to sign early extensions: 2. Dillon Dube (Calgary Flames)
Calgary Flames center Dillon Dube has one year left of his three-year contract. Upon expiration of his current contract, Dube will be an RFA with arbitration rights, and he'll be two years out from UFA eligibility. Conversations regarding an extension are already underway.
Dube is a speedy, versatile forward who can play in different places in the lineup. Last season, Dube notched 45 points. He will be 25 on July 20, so he's at an age where he can still see more growth next year.
Flames GM Craig Conroy spoke about an extension on The Big Show on Sportsnet 960. Conroy said that extension talks have started. He has spoken with Dube's agent. "We're going to continue to move forward," Conroy said. He wants to get a deal done because "he's just one of those guys that you win with." Conroy further noted that Dube "loves the Calgary Flames as much as anybody, so hopefully we can get something done with Dillon sooner than later."
It remains to be seen if Dube will receive a bridge deal or a long-term deal. A longer deal would eat up some of Dube's UFA-eligible years. The deal could land somewhere in the middle lengthwise so that Dube can test the UFA waters before he's 30. Or, he and the Flames could prefer the security of something longer. It sounds like the deal should come soon.
Forwards most likely to sign early extensions: 1. Sebastian Aho (Carolina Hurricanes)
The Carolina Hurricanes are reportedly in talks with alternate captain Sebastian Aho about his next contract. The soon-to-be 26-year-old's five-year contract is set to expire at the end of the 2023-24 season. He's very likely to see an extension come to fruition soon as the Canes want to ensure Aho doesn't hit unrestricted free agency next year.
Aho is an elite two-way center who had 67 points last season. He consistently contributes to the power play and the penalty kill. It's clear that Aho has earned the extension that's in the works. Although Aho is seen as a franchise player, the Canes would be in danger of losing him via free agency if he were to hit the open market next year.
If Aho becomes a UFA, he will be highly sought after, and that became evident when he received an offer sheet from the Montreal Canadiens in 2019. The Canes ultimately matched the offer sheet. Since offer sheets aren't very common, this is a big deal. The Canes would like to see this playmaker continue to shine in Carolina, so they'll want to avoid a scenario where Aho has teams lining up to entice him.
Elliotte Friedman recently expressed that he believes the Canes and Aho will get a deal done, although he's not sure of the timeline. Aho is expected to see a long-term contract. The Canes have plenty of other possible moves going on, which is likely why an Aho deal hasn't been checked off the list yet. Other deals may get squared away first, but Aho is likely to sign before next season kicks off.
Keep an eye out for these five players to sign extensions before the next NHL season begins.