Another option the Montreal Canadiens have to acquire a top-line centre is by possibly offer sheeting Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl.
The Montreal Canadiens quest to find a top-line centre continues. Besides through a trade, the draft or sometimes free agent agency, there are two other ways a team can acquire such a player. One of which will be discussed in this post. The infamous offer sheet.
An offer sheet is a contract given to a restricted free agent (RFA) by a team other than the one they played for the past season. Despite being a pretty handy tool for NHL teams, it’s rarely used. There’s a sort of “gentlemen’s agreement” among GMs to not offer sheet each others players.
Another reason why off sheets are rarely used, is because they are usually matched by the player’s team. Even though a different team can offer a player more money, the original team can choose to match it. The last players to receive an offer sheet from another team were Ryan O’Rielly (2013), Shea Weber (2012), Niklas Hjalmarsson (2010), Steve Bernier (2008), and David Backes (2008). All these players’ teams matched the offer.
In July of 2007, an offer sheet was made for Dustin Penner. The Edmonton Oilers gave him a five-year $21.5 million contract. As compensation, the Oilers had to give the Anaheim Ducks a first, second, and third round pick.
The compensation the signing team has to give the original team is based on the average annual value of the new contract (AAV). Capfriendly.com released the compensations for 2017 offer sheets.
With some attractive names on this years Restricted Free Agent list, attached is the 2017 chart for Offer Sheet compensation based on AAV. pic.twitter.com/k3SX5B5dnU
— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) June 29, 2017
Back to the Montreal Canadiens. If there were any GM who would break the dam in terms of offer sheets, it would be Marc Bergevin. In his time with the team, he has not shied away from making the big move that could come with a lot of backlash. Additionally, with the Habs in a “win now” position, Bergevin will do whatever it takes to push the team to the next level.
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Offer Sheeting Draisaitl
We’re almost in August, and Leon Draisaitl has still not been signed by the Oilers. Who knows what the hold-up is, but as an RFA, he can be offer sheeted. Despite playing right-wing beside Connor McDavid, Draisaitl is a natural center and has played that position for the team at times.
He is an elite offensive threat who can distribute the puck as well as he can score. The 21-year old finished second in team scoring with 29 goals and 48 assists. Additionally, he led the team in playoff scoring with 16 points in 13 games.
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What may be holding Draisaitl’s contract up is the value. The common belief is that he will get a contract with an AAV of $9 million. However, the argument could be made that he could get more. Nashville Predators centre Ryan Johansen just resigned for eight years at $8 million per. You never want to count another man’s money, but contract comparisons are a factor.
So what if Draisaitl wants $9.5 million or even 10? The Oilers have the cap space to do it, but long-term it may not be ideal. Enter the Habs.
If the Canadiens were to offer sheet Draisaitl to a contract like that, it would four first round picks. The picks have to be your own when paying up compensation, and luckily the Canadiens should have each in the next four years. It would be a hard pill to swallow, but worth it in the long run.
Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli told TSN that he would match any offer sheet. Despite that, Bergevin and the Habs should still try to make something work. Draisaitl would be the perfect addition for the team and give the team the number one center they need.
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Do you think the Habs should offer sheet Draisaitl? If so, would you be ok with the compensation? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Salary cap and player salary information from Capfriendly.com. Player stats from Hockey-Reference.com.