from Allan Muir of Sports Illustrated,

But with the pool of unrestricted talent running shallow, there’s an extra focus on a sterling class of restricted free agents. And with several of them controlled by teams that are under salary cap stress there comes a hope that this will be the year when some brave GM swoops in, offer sheet in hand, and shakes up the system.

In Edmonton, they’re dreaming of Dougie Hamilton leading a revamped Oilers blueline. In Pittsburgh, they’re picturing Brandon Saad saddled up next to Sidney Crosby. And everyone would love to add Vladimir Tarasenko.

It all makes for great hot stove talk, but despite what one agent said a few weeks ago, there likely won’t be any poaching of RFAs this year. At least that’s the way one team executive sees it.

“It’s the same thing every year, right?” he told SI.com. “Fans want the drama ... it’s the same thing when they’re watching [trade deadline coverage on] TV and waiting for the blockbuster. It’s fun. It’s fantasy. But the reality of the business is something different.

“Maybe I’ll be surprised and something will happen but the system is set up in a way that I don't think it will.”

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