What is a Qualifying offer?

Question

I am fairly new to watching the sport of hockey and would like some help. I keep reading about teams make qualifying offer to 5 - 6 Free Agents on their teams.

What is a qualifying offer? Any additional information would be great also. Thanks!

Answer 1

In order to retain the rights to restricted free agents, they must be made a qualifying offer...............this is their current salary plus a small raise (I believe it is 10%).

If a team does not make a qualifying offer, the restricted free agent becomes an unrestricted free agent.

Answer 2

The first post is right.   I'd add one thing though.....another team can make an offer to a RFA (Restricted Free Agent), even if they have a qualifying offer.    The 'other' team does have to compensate the original team with draft picks, based on the size of the qualifying offer.   Like this:

$660,000 or below None

Over $660,000 to $1 million Third Round

Over $1 million to $2.0 million Second Round

Over $2.0 million to $3.0 million First Round and Third Round

Over $3.0 million to $4.0 million First Round, Second Round, and Third Round

Over $4.0 million to $5.0 million Two First Rounds, Second Round, and Third Round

Over $5 million Four First Rounds

So, to get a Sidney Crosby....a RFA that makes more than 5 million, a team would have to give up four first round picks.  

I actually think there would be more of these deals to RFA's, especially in the mid range (a 2nd round pick for the right guy, already getting solid ice time would be a steal), but the GM's don't like it.   It's a dirty business.