Denis Malgin *received a qualifying offer from the #leafs.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 26, 2021
The implication here is that the other three RFAs remaining did not. With Vehviläinen in Sweden already, that left free agent signings Nic Petan and Joey Duszak, who both have arbitration rights, and are unlikely to find a roster spot on the Leafs as the only unsigned RFAs. If they were not qualified, they become UFAs on Wedneday at noon.
Malgin’s Qualifying Offer is $750,000, or this season’s minimum salary. It is also only a two-way deal, as mandated by the rules on QOs.
He also has arbitration rights, but little case to demand a better deal with since he played the entire season in Switzerland. He is there right now training with the national team and can be assumed to have an offer to play on a Swiss team this season.
He can make a deal for any amount of AAV or term with the Leafs, he can accept the QO as is, or he can elect arbitration. He cannot become a free agent by doing any of those things.
QOs eventually expire, but even then, the signing rights to the player are retained, and he cannot sign with any other NHL team.
The Leafs need forwards, and the most likely outcome is that Malgin signs some variety of minimum salary deal and tries to break into the Leafs lineup at camp.
When we have confirmation of the status of Petan and Duszak, we’ll let you know.
Update:
Leaf qualifying offers went to Denis Malgin and Joe Duszak.
— Kevin McGran (@kevin_mcgran) July 27, 2021
Leafs did not qualify Nic Petan or Veini Vehvilainen
Still no official confirmation, though.
CF has is from the NHL end:
Toronto #MapleLeafs qualified the following players:
— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) July 27, 2021
1. Denis Malgin
2. Joseph Duszak
The following players were not qualified:
1. Nic Petan
2. Veini Vehvilainenhttps://t.co/BPt2vFET34
Duszak’s QO is $756,000 and still two-way. He should be considered an AHLer this season.