Offer sheets a seldom-used strategy for NHL GMs
If ever there was a summer that the offer-sheet strategy might shift into the NHL spotlight, this appears to be it.
A handful of teams have to shed players and money to prevent crashing up against the salary-cap ceiling, and the restricted free agent pool has a few noteworthy names -- like the Blues' Vladimir Tarasenko, the Red Wings' Gustav Nyquist and the Capitals' Braden Holtby.
But, so far, only the threat of an offer sheet has helped initiate one deal -- the trade of rising star Brandon Saad from the Blackhawks to the Blue Jackets for a decorated package that included center Artem Anisimov going the other way.
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Blackhawks General Manager Stan Bowman acknowledged after the trade that the potential of another team targeting Saad via an offer sheet played a part in his decision to trade the young winger once it became clear the two sides couldn't agree to a new contract.
And, actually, the threat still exists.
The Blue Jackets have yet to sign Saad but have made it clear they would match any offer sheet thrown Saad's way.
Truth be told, perhaps it's not that surprising that the offer sheet hasn't been used more often as it's not exactly a popular way to do business.
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Here's how it works:
Essentially, an offer sheet is a contract offered to a restricted free agent by a team other than the one he currently is attached to. The team the player currently plays for has an opportunity to match the offer but if it chooses not to, it will receive compensation.
OFFER COMPENSATION
$1,205,377 or below None
Over $1,205,377 to $1,826,328 Third-round choice
Over $1,826,328 to $3,652,659 Second-round choice
Over $3,652,659 to $5,478,986 First-round and third-round choice
Over $5,478,986 to $7,305,316 First-round, second-round and third-round choice
Over $7,305,316 to $9,131,645 Two first-round choices, one second- and one third-round choice
Over $9,131,645 Four first-round choices
In the last 10 years, only eight offer sheets have been issued and only one player has actually switched teams as a result (Dustin Penner in 2007 from Anaheim to Edmonton). The most recent offer sheet extended was to Ryan O'Reilly in 2013 from the Flames, but the Avalanche matched.
"Those teams that are in real difficult cap situations are more vulnerable," Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney said. "We're far from that. So it's a difficult thing. Will we see more of them? Who's to say? They rarely work, and all it makes is the player and agents quite happy because everybody gets paid. But it is a tool we all have. Whether we see more of them, I really can't say."
NHL players on new teams in 2015-16:
