Sign In-Season or Let Expire: Predicting Contract Talks Of NHL Pending UFAs

Of the many pending UFAs in the NHL this season, let's look a few names. Will teams sign these players quickly or let their deals expire?

As the 2025 year begins, NHL clubs may shift their thinking regarding pending UFAs on their respective rosters. Nothing has to be done yet, but with only a few months remaining in the season and a good indication of what these players will be next season and beyond, some clubs may want to lock up their useful assets.

There are a few teams who have been negotiating with their imminent free agents. Others haven’t gotten very far in contract talks. Let’s look at a few players and predict if these names will get signed in-season or if their contracts will expire as free agency becomes an option on July 1.

Get Signed: Ty Emberson (Oilers)

Ty Emberson told Sportsnet’s Mark Spector that the Edmonton Oilers have already begun talking with his agent about a new deal. A Group 6 UFA, he will become a restricted free agent after 13 more games, and Emberson is interested in staying on.

The Edmonton Oilers are actively working on a contract extension with pending free agent Ty Emberson.

He noted to the media this week, “My agent mentioned something to me about that a couple of days ago.” He added, “If it happens to work out, I’d be excited. I love it here … and hopefully can spend more time here.” The Oilers like what he’s brought to the team and they’ve been burned before when it comes to restricted free agents.

Expect a 2-3 year deal to get worked out sometime in January. He might get that deal done before he becomes an RFA.

Let Expire: Mitch Marner (Maple Leafs)

The Toronto Maple Leafs want to get Mitch Marner signed to a new deal. However, there are way too many questions in Toronto when it comes to their roster, the salary cap, and what to do with a player who is going to cost a huge amount of money to retain.

Auston Matthews’s injury situation has been on the front of everyone’s mind, and while he’s been out, Marner has only increased his value around the NHL. There is also John Tavares, who needs a new contract, and the Leafs have to make that work.