Offer sheets are a bargaining tool
TVA Sports: (through google translate) NHL player agent Don Meehan on offer sheets, and though rare, they are a bargaining tool for the agent/player.
“It’s still part of the discussion,” said Mehan. As you know, there has been no hostile bid for six years (Ryan O’Reilly, who saw the Avalanche match the Flames bid in 2013). It’s not something that happens often. But it’s part of the negotiations because of the salary cap.
“I would say that the probabilities are higher this year than at the last ones.”
Looking at some teams that could threaten with an offer sheet
Luke Fox of Sportsnet: Offer sheets are not a common thing. Nine of the past 10 offer sheets that were signed were matched. Dustin Penner-Edmonton Oilers offer sheet was the last one not matched – the only one in the past 22 years.
A lot of offer sheet talk surround Mitch Marner and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Kyle Dubas said he isn’t worried about it and can make it work to match. Dubas did say that it’s “imperative” that they sign him before July 1st.
Teams that have the draft picks and the salary cap space to potentially try to sign someone to an offer sheet:
New York Islanders – Payback with a Mitch Marner offer sheet? Former Maple Leafs GM Lou Lamoriello has the cap space and “the man is ruthless.”
Detroit Red Wings – Would new GM Steve Yzerman look to put his stamp on the Red Wings right away?
Montreal Canadiens – GM Marc Bergevin needs a game-breaker. Signing big named UFAs isn’t easy for the Canadiens so they have to consider all options.
“When you sit in this chair, you’ve got to think long-term also,” Bergevin said at his end-of-season presser, noting the steep price tag of four firsts. “Trust me, it’s a tool that we look at all the time.”
New Jersey Devils – Won the draft lottery and have over $47 million in cap space. Have some RFAs to sign and Taylor Hall needs an extension, but they have the room.
Carolina Hurricanes – Owner Tom Dundon is aggressive. They need to extend Sebastian Aho, but interest in Carolina is up given their playoff run.
Arizona Coyotes – Need scoring and star power. Have also been linked to Phil Kessel trade rumors.
Buffalo Sabres – If they aren’t able to re-sign Jeff Skinner they’ll have some extra cap space.