Some six weeks after becoming a restricted free agent, Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban is still without a new contract.
He's not the only one, either.
Dallas Stars forward Jamie Benn, Winnipeg Jets forward Evander Kane, Washington Capitals defensemen John Carlson and New York Rangers blueliner Michael Del Zotto also remain unsigned, a little more than a month before the scheduled start of NHL training camps.
Of course, the fact that the start of training camp - and the 2012-13 NHL season - could be delayed due to a September 15 lockout just might have something to do with it.
One of the major issues in the collective bargaining negotiations between the league and the NHL Players Association is the current contract structure. The owners have called for five-year rookie contracts and unrestricted free agency after 10 seasons, while the players have called for the existing structure to remain in place, with players eligible for unrestricted free agency after seven seasons.
It's uncertain what the outcome will be when a new CBA is formed, but the outcome could certainly impact young players like Subban, Benn and Del Zotto. It wouldn't be a surprise to see the owners in Montreal, Dallas, New York and elsewhere hang back to see how the new CBA will affect the contract structure.
Make no mistake: if anyone goes anywhere near Subban, Del Zotto, or any other top RFA with an offer sheet, their current teams will match that offer with Marian Gaborik-level speed. However, with the focus of the hockey world on collective bargaining negotiations, don't be surprised to see the likes of Subban, Carlson and Kane go unsigned just a while longer.
