Calgary Flames defenseman Brayden Pachal is on the verge of a contract change that could impact his future with the team. When Pachal plays his next game—potentially Friday against the Nashville Predators—he will officially qualify as a restricted free agent (RFA) when his current deal expires on July 1.
This might not sound like a big deal, but, as Ryan Pike of FlamesNation points out, it gives the Flames a lot more leverage in negotiations this summer.
Pachal has one point in 17 games for the Flames this season. He’s averaging just over 14 minutes per game and has been a regular since joining the Flames off waivers from the Vegas Golden Knights last winter. The 25-year-old defenseman hasn’t missed a game (50 of them) since joining the team and he has developed into a reliable, physical presence on Calgary’s blue line.
It stands to reason that the Flames might be interested in re-signing the player at the end of the season.
When Pachal hits 80 NHL games, the rules of the collective bargaining agreement work in favor of Calgary. Certain qualifications have to be met for a team to turn a pending Group 6 unrestricted free agent (UFA) into an RFA: playing 80 games, being over 25, having spent at least three seasons in the NHL system, and being on an expiring contract.
Flames Will Likely Qualify Pachal Now
The change in his contract status means that the Flames will likely make a qualifying offer to the defenseman in the form of a well-deserved raise over his current $775,000 deal. He’s not the type of player who would have commanded big money in free agency, but he won’t get to pick and choose where he plays next season.
