Top 3 Restricted Free Agents Still Unsigned (With Contract Projections)

The free agent signing frenzy of early July is well into the rear-view mirror now, and teams have a much better idea of what their cap situations are as we get closer to the new season.

But there are some teams that still have some very big RFAs to deal with, and accordingly, some huge salaries still to hand out.

Here's a look at the Top 3 RFAs still unsigned, and their projected contract numbers, as set out by AFP Analytics as the offseason began. This list is in order of highest predicted AAV:

1. Moritz Seider, Detroit Red Wings

The 23-year-old defenseman is coming off his entry-level contract, and has a Calder Trophy already on his mantlepiece, as well as three solid years of proving that he is top-pairing caliber. He's averaged nearly 23 minutes a night, has played every single one of the 82-game schedule in all of his three seasons, and has averaged over 44 points per campaign. This past year, he registered a huge 213 blocked shots and 211 hits, both career highs.

Needless to say, he has earned a huge extension, and AFP Analytics projected it at $8.126 million AAV over seven years. The Wings currently have $17.6 million in cap space, per PuckPedia.

2. Lucas Raymond, Detroit Red Wings

Needless to say, that $17.6 million that Detroit has available will be largely gobbled up by Seider and Raymond. The 22-year-old left winger exploded with a breakout season, with 31 goals and 41 assists for 72 points, and is now a top-line threat. AFP projects him at landing a seven-year deal at a $7.758 AAV.

3. Seth Jarvis, Carolina Hurricanes

Another young former first-rounder who had a breakthrough season, Jarvis, in his 3rd season, doubled his best previous goal-scoring output in a season, with 33, while adding 34 assists for a career-high 67 points. He also established career highs in plus/minus, with a +23, and hits, with 115. His projected number on an extension was for eight years at $7.75 million AAV, but there are rumors that Jarvis will blow past that number.

Other notables who would round out a Top 9 unsigned RFA list include Boston Bruins netminder Jeremy Swayman, Dallas Stars center Thomas Harley, Seattle Kraken d-man Matty Beniers, New Jersey Devils center Dawson Mercer, Winnipeg Jets RW Cole Perfetti, and LA Kings defenseman Jordan Spence.