I am blaming you for all this.
- Scabeh

as well you should. we all know that I have Don's ear.

I send out a tweet and, about 3 weeks later, it actually happens. This offer sheet is one of several examples. The Foegele/Bear trade being another.

Kotkaniemi isn't worth $6 million per year. That much is obvious.

But this is the route they chose to take, and if you actually want to nab a player with an offer sheet you're going to have to overpay them.

I also don't think they would have done this without already knowing what a long term extension for Kotkaniemi looked like. He'll be a real good player. Not exceptional, but with the right support a solid middle six player at worst going forward.
- BINGO!

Would have had to be pure speculation on Carolina's part, no? It's not like they could be talking to the player about his feels on the issue, or could they talk with his camp when he's RFA? It's a real gamble for them, I can't see Mtl matching especially if there is already a riff between the player and the team.

Excellent, creative roster move by Carolina GM Don Waddell. Yes, revenge was definitely in play, but so was logic. If you think about it, giving KK $6 mil in year 1, is just another way of front loading a long term Contract, assuming they are successfully able to sign him for at least another 5 or more years, at the $3.5---$4.5 mil range.

This dynamic move might manifest over time with other GM's doing the same. Some people on another "blog thread" already indicated concerns over the Rangers losing Kakko this way. And they might be right, because this strategy is now another tool for GM's to use.

Thanks Don Waddell for your creativity. Unfortunately I think the NHL will eventually increase the age in which players can sign Offer Sheets to prevent these types of moves. Organizations should not have to be held in "Salary Cap" hostage with their highly drafted, young "potential superstars" coming off their 3 yr. Entry Level Contract.

Cool that this strategy was used, but I think it's days are numbered. This isn't good for the League in my opinion.

Would have had to be pure speculation on Carolina's part, no? It's not like they could be talking to the player about his feels on the issue, or could they talk with his camp when he's RFA? It's a real gamble for them, I can't see Mtl matching especially if there is already a riff between the player and the team.
- Beergu

They can negotiate with him as an RFA. Totally on board to negotiate a seperate extension with him in conjunction with the offer sheet.

A sort of "Here's what we'd like to do. We'll give you a $6 million contract in year one. If you sign that, we'll give you an extension for 3 years at $3 million per as soon as you're able."

What is Carolina thinking? How to ruin your salary structure on a 3rd line player! There may be a tad of animosity in their dressing room this season!
- Jrw10

this is why they got Tony DeAngelo, to take care of such situations.

the habs managed to grab a guy like Cole Caufield at #15, so you never know how this pick could come back and haunt you, especially if KK doesn't pan out in Carolina...

also if we're talking purely from a hockey perspective, I hope Waddell actually had some interest in Kotkaniemi and believes he has the potential to become an important part of his team, if Bergevin lets him walk. would be kinda sad if the move was uniquely out of spite, "in the name of vengeance" lol
- Pat1993

Looks like they tried trading for him before this and that KK wanted out.

Looks like they tried trading for him before this and that KK wanted out.
- Aaron_85

not saying it isn't the case, but the fact that he accepted the offer sheet doesn't mean he necessarily wants out. even if he loves it in MTL, it would've been silly for him to refuse such a deal.

That’s where I guess the Habs would hope the 2 firsts would be enough for Buffalo to just take a top prospect and a mid 6 player instead of Suzuki or Cole. Agreed it, it would be extremely difficult to grab Eichel, but no other team, I believe, would be able to send 2 firsts in next years draft. But I was just using him as an example really. Being able to have an extra first as a trade bargain is always good thing, and just might help get the Habs a better player then KK.
- LAkings96

I thought about that too. It does give them trade capital however canes get KK now instead of waiting. It would depend on what they did with it. Time will tell but for now its in the canes favor.

What is Carolina thinking? How to ruin your salary structure on a 3rd line player! There may be a tad of animosity in their dressing room this season!
- Jrw10

lol what? They already have a 3C making $6 million per. The guy's their captain. the guys in the room don't care that much about everybody's salary.

lol what? They already have a 3C making $6 million per. The guy's their captain. the guys in the room don't care that much about everybody's salary.
- BINGO!

yup, not sure if that's the case for every team but I've heard it's even frowned upon to criticize a guy about money, or for choosing to sign a contract or not.

They can negotiate with him as an RFA. Totally on board to negotiate a seperate extension with him in conjunction with the offer sheet.

A sort of "Here's what we'd like to do. We'll give you a $6 million contract in year one. If you sign that, we'll give you an extension for 3 years at $3 million per as soon as you're able."
- BINGO!

And he says (frank) you. i will take the 6.1 this year and you can either give a QO next season or i will take my chances as an UFA.

not saying it isn't the case, but the fact that he accepted the offer sheet doesn't mean he necessarily wants out. even if he loves it in MTL, it would've been silly for him to refuse such a deal.
- Pat1993

The reports are saying his healthy scratch in the playoffs put a rift between the team and KK and he didn't want to play there anymore.

The reports are saying his healthy scratch in the playoffs put a rift between the team and KK and he didn't want to play there anymore.
- Aaron_85

it's a very plausible scenario, considering the circumstances, but I think this is simply a logical assumption, and not necessarily what's actually been going on.

it's a very plausible scenario, considering the circumstances, but I think this is simply a logical assumption, and not necessarily what's actually been going on.
- Pat1993

This is what all the legit reporters have said. Why would it not be what went on? You seem to just ignore the facts.

This is what all the legit reporters have said. Why would it not be what went on? You seem to just ignore the facts.
- Aaron_85

what are your sources? it's not impossible, all I'm saying is, as far as I know the player or the agent haven't said anything of that nature.

And he says (frank) you. i will take the 6.1 this year and you can either give a QO next season or i will take my chances as an UFA.
- Gramps28

Totally within his rights to do that too. If he does that, good for him.