What is the Difference Between a Restricted Free Agent (RFA) and an Unrestricted Free Agent (UFA) in the National Hockey League (NHL)?
In the National Hockey League (NHL), players can become restricted free agents (RFAs) or unrestricted free agents (UFAs) when their contracts expire. The main difference between these two types of free agents is the level of control that their teams have over their rights.
Restricted Free Agents (RFAs)
- Players who are under the age of 27 and have played less than seven seasons in the NHL.
- Their teams have the right to match any offer sheet that an RFA receives from another team.
- If the team does not match the offer sheet, the RFA can sign with the new team and the team that loses the player receives compensation in the form of draft picks.
Unrestricted Free Agents (UFAs)
- Players who are 27 years old or older or have played seven or more seasons in the NHL.
- Their teams have no rights to match any offer sheets that they receive.
- UFAs can sign with any team they choose without any compensation going to their former team.
Key Differences
- RFAs have their rights controlled by their teams, while UFAs are free to sign with any team.
- RFAs can receive offer sheets from other teams, while UFAs cannot.
- If an RFA signs an offer sheet, their team has the right to match it, while UFAs can sign with any team without their former team's approval.
Related Questions
- What is the qualifying offer a team must give to an RFA?
- Can an RFA sign an offer sheet with any team?
- What happens if a team does not match an offer sheet for an RFA?
- What are the benefits of being a UFA?
- What are the risks of being an RFA?
Related Hot Sale Products
- Bauer Nexus 2N Hockey Stick
- CCM Super Tacks AS1 Hockey Gloves
- Warrior Alpha LX Pro Hockey Skates
- True Catalyst 7 Hockey Helmet
- Sherwood Rekker M90 Hockey Gloves
Pre：What is the difference between RFA and UFA in hockey
Next：Who was the best Asian hockey player in the NHL
^