The NHL's free-agent period begins on July 1, 2019, and anumber of notable young stars are slated to become restricted free agents this summer. Some could even be hard to keep as they couldreceive competitive offer sheets from rival clubs.

Between now and July 1, Sporting News will examine the NHL's top RFA players. This week, we look at the Metropolitan Division.

Sebastian Aho, Carolina Hurricanes

In just three years, the 21-year-old center blo somed into the Hurricanes' franchise player. Netting a career-high 30 goals and 83 points, Aho was their leading scorerfor the second-straight year. He was also led the Canes in points during their run to the 2019 Eastern Conference Final.

Coming off his entry-level contract, . Following the Hurricanes' playoff elimination last month, he could get around $7 million per season. On May 21, both Sam Koch Jersey sides would prefer agreeing on a long-term deal sooner rather than later.

For clubs in need of a young offensive center, Aho would be an enticing offer-sheet target. However, it's doubtful anyone will make the attempt. the Hurricanes have over $54 million invested in 14 players, so a suming the salary cap reaches the projected $83 million, they'll Brandon Carr Jersey have more than enough room to match any offer.

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Zach Werenski, Columbus Blue Jackets

, Werenski established himself as a skilled puck-moving blueliner, as heand Seth Jones form the Jackets' top defense pairing. In 2018-19, the 21-year-old exceeded the 40-point plateau (44) for the second time in his three NHL seasons.

As an invaluable part of the Blue Jackets' core, Werenski is expected toreceive a significant raise on his nextcontract. How much could depend on several factors. On June 3, that the cost of potentially re-signing unrestricted free agent could affect how much Werenski gets, and the same can be said depending onhow much Boston's Charlie McAvoy and Philadelphia's Ivan Provorov get on their new deals.

Werenski could ink an eight-year, $66-million deal with an annual average value of $8.25 million, and considering having an estimated $32 million in cap space, the Jackets can afford to carry that cost; so don'texpect a rival club to swoop in with an offer sheet for Werenski.

Ivan Provorov and Travis Konecny, Philadelphia Flyers

This duo is coming off their entry-level contracts and havebecome part of what should be a bright future for the Flyers.

Provorov earned rave reviews for his play during his NHL debut in 2016-17, and even better, he followed up with an impre sive 41-point James Hurst Jersey sophomore campaign.

This season, the 22-year-old defenseman saw a heavier workload, but his production slipped to 26 points. That could affect how much he gets on his next contract, but heshould still receive a substantial pay raise. However, it's not expected to beclose to what Werenski could get in Columbus.

Konecny has developed into a reliable top-six forward, andcoming off back-to-back seasons of 24 goals and 47-or-more points, the 22-year-old has earnedplaying time on the Flyers' top line.

Those numbers and first-line minutesshould earn Konecny a good pay raise. How much, however, could depend upon whether management sees him as a rising star or a complementary player alongside established talent like Claude Giroux and Sean Couturier.

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Jakub Vrana, Washington Capitals

After several seasons of development, Vrana enjoyed a breakout performance in 2018-19. With 24 goals and 47 points, the 23-year-old left wing was among the Capitals' leading scorers. However, he was held scorele s as his club was bounced from the opening round of the 2019 playoffs.

Still, Vrana's Orlando Brown Jr. Jersey regular-season numbers suggest better days ahead. It remains to be seen, however, if he gets a long-term deal or a short-term bridge contract. Washington's limited salary-cap space (nearly $73 million invested in 16 players) could affect what he gets, and in turn, itcould also make him a potential offer-sheet target.