The young UFAs

One of the most important and dramatic changes in the NHL's collective bargaining agreement was the age of unrestricted free agency, which was dropped to 27 for most players — and as low as 25 for some — coming out of the lockout.

Now, the difference between a 27-year-old free agent and a 35-year-old one is incredible: Not only will you get much more use out of a player's peak years, but you'll also avoid the increased risk that involves aged players. Under the CBA, any multi-year contract given to a 35-year-old free agent will count against the cap regardless of whether or not the player plays out the full deal.

In other words, if Brian Rolston signs in Tampa Bay for, let's say, $15-million over three years and retires after next season, there will be a cap hit of $5-million for the Lightning the next two seasons.

Here is a list of this year's 28-and-under unrestricted free agents (sorted by age then 2007-08 cap hit; noteables in blue):

	Player	Age	Team	Pos	2007-08 cap hit
1	Emery, Ray	25	OTT	G	$3.167
2	Voros, Aaron	26	MIN	L	$0.495
3	Kalinin, Dmitri	27	BUF	D	$2.000
4	Williams, Jason	27	CHI	C	$1.600
5	Vrbata, Radim	27	PHX	R	$1.225
6	Orpik, Brooks	27	PIT	D	$1.038
7	Miettinen, Antti	27	DAL	L	$0.885
8	Mezei, Branislav	27	FLA	D	$0.825
9	Vasicek, Josef	27	NYI	C	$0.750
10	Hainsey, Ron	27	CLB	D	$0.738
11	McCarthy, Steve	27	ATL	D	$0.725
12	Sauer, Kurt	27	COL	D	$0.719
13	Moore, Dominic	27	TOR	C	$0.700
14	Auld, Alex	27	BOS	G	$0.600
15	Hale, David	27	CGY	D	$0.590
16	Beech, Kris	27	PIT	C	$0.585
17	Hall, Adam	27	PIT	R	$0.525
18	Hordichuk, Darcy	27	CAR	L	$0.517
19	Winchester, Brad	27	DAL	C	$0.475
20	Weller, Craig	27	PHX	R	$0.475
21	Stuart, Brad	28	DET	D	$3.500
22	Mara, Paul	28	NYR	D	$3.000
23	Ryder, Michael	28	MTL	R	$2.950
24	Raycroft, Andrew	28	TOR	G	$2.000
25	Avery, Sean	28	NYR	C	$1.900
26	Rachunek, Karel	28	NJD	D	$1.400
27	Commodore, Mike	28	OTT	D	$1.250
28	Vandermeer, Jim	28	CGY	D	$1.225
29	Montador, Steve	28	FLA	D	$0.800
30	Hagman, Niklas	28	DAL	L	$0.675
31	Walker, Matt	28	STL	D	$0.600
32	Sanford, Curtis	28	VAN	G	$0.600
33	Davison, Rob	28	NYI	D	$0.525
34	Wozniewski, Andy	28	TOR	D	$0.500
35	Godard, Eric	28	CGY	R	$0.475
36	Finger, Jeff	28	COL	D	$0.475
37	Janik, Doug	28	TBL	D	$0.475

We've heard a ton about how restricted free agents are getting big contracts under the new CBA, but young unrestricted free agents are truly on the open market and will be overpaid even more than an RFA coming off an entry level deal.

Some of these players, like Orpik, Sauer and Avery, are going to be paid based on their potential despite having been in the league for a few years.
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