<Li> Team matching offer sheet . Arizona Cardinals offensive guard Reggie Wells was a restricted free agent in the 2006 offseason . On March 17, the Buffalo Bills signed him to an offer sheet--a five - year deal worth approximately $18 million . Four days later on March 21, the Cardinals matched the Bills' offer sheet for Wells, and he reverted to the Cardinals . </Li> <Li> Team consummating a trade . The Miami Dolphins offered wide receiver Wes Welker a second - round tender in 2007 . Although it was widely rumored that the New England Patriots would offer Welker a seven - year, $35 million deal, the Patriots ultimately traded their second - and seventh - round draft picks to the Dolphins for Welker, signing Welker to a five - year, $18 million contract . </Li> <P> A player who is no longer considered to be entry - level, but does not qualify as an unrestricted free agent, becomes a restricted free agent when his contract expires . A player may only declare himself to be an unrestricted free agent if he is over the age of 27 or has played in the league for a minimum of 7 years . </P> <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>

When does an nhl player become a ufa