The NHL's restricted free agency period is heating up as teams prepare to make critical decisions on their top young talents. Players like Will Cuylle of the New York Rangers, who had a solid season with 45 points, and Morgan Frost, who showed promise after being traded to Calgary, are among those expected to attract attention. Meanwhile, Kaapo Kakko's performance with the Seattle Kraken raises questions about his future in the league.

Furthermore, forwards like Matthew Knies from the Toronto Maple Leafs and Gabriel Vilardi from the Winnipeg Jets are also worth monitoring as they look to secure new contracts. The impact of these players on their teams, especially in playoff scenarios, cannot be understated, making their potential contract negotiations a focal point for fantasy managers and sports bettors alike.

Claude Giroux will remain with the Ottawa Senators for another season after signing a one-year contract worth $2 million, with additional incentives. The veteran forward, who has played 18 seasons in the NHL, contributed 50 points in the past season, significantly aiding the Senators' return to the playoffs for the first time in eight years.

Meanwhile, Dante Fabbro has secured a four-year contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets for $16.5 million after impressing since his acquisition from Nashville. In contrast, Conor Sheary was placed on waivers by the Tampa Bay Lightning for contract termination; he managed only five games last season due to injuries and salary cap constraints.

Claude Giroux remains with the Ottawa Senators after signing a one-year deal worth $2 million, with $2.75 million in bonuses available. The veteran forward, who has 18 seasons of experience, scored 50 points last season, leading the Senators to their first playoff appearance in eight years. Meanwhile, Dante Fabbro has secured a four-year contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets for $16.5 million after showing promise with a career-high 26 points last season. However, Conor Sheary's time with the Tampa Bay Lightning has ended as he was placed on unconditional waivers for a contract termination. Lastly, Joe Veleno was bought out by the Seattle Kraken, and Ville Husso extended his contract with the Anaheim Ducks.

Veteran forward Claude Giroux will remain with the Ottawa Senators for another season after signing a one-year, $2 million contract with performance bonuses. The 37-year-old veteran tallied 50 points last season and played a pivotal role in leading Ottawa to the playoffs after an eight-year absence. Meanwhile, Dante Fabbro has secured a four-year, $16.5 million contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets, having previously been acquired via waivers from Nashville. Fabbro concluded the last season with a career-high 26 points.

In contrast, Conor Sheary's time with the Tampa Bay Lightning has ended as he was placed on unconditional waivers for contract termination after a disappointing season where he only played five games. The Seattle Kraken have also initiated a buyout process for Joe Veleno, looking to clear cap space. Lastly, the Anaheim Ducks have bolstered their goaltending depth by signing Ville Husso to a two-year extension, providing reliable backup support.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have placed forward Conor Sheary on unconditional waivers with the intention to terminate his contract. Sheary, a 10-year veteran, played just five games with the Lightning this season and largely spent last year in the minors due to salary cap limitations. With one year remaining on his contract, he was set to earn $2 million next season. Previously, Sheary secured back-to-back Stanley Cups with Pittsburgh in 2016 and 2017, but his time in Tampa has been less fruitful, finishing with four goals and 15 points in 62 games. If unclaimed, he will enter unrestricted free agency.

Meanwhile, the Seattle Kraken have also put forward Joe Veleno on unconditional waivers to buy out his final year, which carries a $2.275 million cap hit. Veleno, 25, has accumulated five seasons of NHL experience and was recently acquired by the Kraken in a trade involving Andre Burakovsky. He previously played for Detroit, recording 38 goals and 81 points over 306 games. The rapid changes for both players reflect the tightening salary cap landscape across the league.