CONTRACT + PLAYER TERMINOLOGY
A player that is a restricted free agent (RFA) has reached the end of their initial entry-level contract but is not yet an unrestricted free agent. Their rights are still held by the NHL team.
A player is an unrestricted free agent (UFA) if older than 25 (or after 7 years, whichever comes first) and his contract ends. UFAs can sign with any team.
All new players, under the age of 25, are required to sign an entry-level contract. Entry-level contracts are three years if the player is age 18-21, two years if age 22-24 and one year if age 24.
If a player signs an AHL contract, then he is not eligible to play in the NHL.
If a player is currently on a two-way contract, then his pay is dependent on if he is assigned to the NHL or the AHL. All entry-level contracts are two-way contracts.
If a player is currently on a one-way contract, then he is paid the same amount of money regardless of whether he plays in the NHL or AHL.