'After playing on mostly an American Hockey League salary his first eight seasons, Fitzpatrick spent all of last season in the NHL earning around $375,000. He is now a restricted free agent, with the Buffalo Sabres retaining his rights by making a qualifying offer (an automatic 10 percent raise) in mid-June. ”I’m extremely happy where I am and I don’t want to go anywhere else,” Fitzpatrick said.'
Work out in off-season, then wait
Source: Rochester D&C