<P> The current team must extend a "qualifying offer" to a restricted free agent to retain negotiating rights to that player . Qualifying offers are for one year contracts . The minimum salary for the qualifying offer depends on the player's prior year salary . </P> <P> Players who earned less than $660,000 in the previous season must be offered 110 percent of last season's salary . Players making up to $1 million must be offered 105 percent . Players making over $1 million must be offered 100 percent . </P> <Ul> <Li> If the qualifying offer is not made, the player becomes an unrestricted free agent . </Li> <Li> If the player rejects a qualifying offer, he remains a restricted free agent . </Li> <Li> If the player does not sign before December 1, he is ineligible to play in the NHL for the remainder of the season . </Li> </Ul> <Li> If the qualifying offer is not made, the player becomes an unrestricted free agent . </Li>

When do restricted free agents have to sign