The longer this goes, the easier it is for a team to come in and sign Monahan to an offer sheet that forces Calgary's hand for the worse. I could see it happening because you have several teams with the salary cap room, you also have several teams still holding their 3 first picks. Buffalo, Carolina and New Jersey are all teams that can swoop in with an offer sheet and are able to match the conditions.
Also doesn't help that Calgary did the NHL taboo of signing O'Reilly to an offer sheet, which makes them prime targets without the normal backlash.
Even if Calgary matches, they lose all bargaining power with Monahan, and also forces Calgary to potentially make a move just to sign Gaudreau, who will likely looking to be paid more than Monahan.
That's the true nightmare scenario that can happen the longer this goes. Drawing your line on the sand is no good if someone else can just come in and destroy it.
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