Washington Capitals general manager Chris Patrick wants to be proactive in extending Ryan Leonard before the young forward can receive an offer sheet next summer.
"We've had some discussions this summer," Patrick told NHL.com's Tom Gulitti on Tuesday. "I'm hopeful we can continue to have some discussions here. That's not something that I want to let play out. I'd rather get something done if we can, if it makes sense for both sides, because I do think what happened this past summer is definitely potentially a harbinger of things to come in the league."
Offer sheets have become a more regular threat in recent years. The Philadelphia Flyers signed Leo Carlsson to a monster five-year, $90-million offer sheet on July 1, which the Anaheim Ducks ultimately matched. The Utah Mammoth also matched an offer sheet to Barrett Hayton from the New Jersey Devils this summer.
However, the St. Louis Blues successfully pried Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway away from the Edmonton Oilers in 2024 with a pair of offer sheets.
Drafted eighth overall by Washington in 2023, Leonard is set to become a restricted free agent on July 1. The 21-year-old posted 20 goals and 45 points in 75 games as a rookie last season.
Despite being keen to close a deal, Patrick said he isn't sure whether the sides will reach an agreement before the Capitals' campaign begins in October.
"I don't know now," Patrick said. "If it made sense, I'd do it tomorrow. We just have to get to that point."
Justin Sourdif, who impressed with 15 goals and 35 points as a rookie last season, is also set to become a restricted free agent after the campaign.
"I think my M.O. going forward really is if you have guys that are going to be restricted free agents that could potentially get offer sheets, you want to get in front of it as much as you can, as much as you feel comfortable doing that," Patrick said. "With Justin, we've had some conversations as well, and we'll see where it goes.
"We'll just have to see how things play out with both those guys."
