Quote:
Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814
And the guy who signed that offer sheet hasn't been the GM for nearly half a decade. The owner is different. The owner of the Sabres is different. The GM of the Sabres is different. And ultimately, nothing became of Vanek or the Oilers in those seven years anyway, so why is the grudge still relevant?
Nobody in Anaheim still cares about the Penner offersheet. Anaheim isn't a threat to give him $14M when they don't even spend to the cap.
I am all in favor of us offer sheeting McDavid for purely spiteful reasons, but I just don't see many teams that will be able to justify that acquisition cost from a hockey perspective, or even fit the move under the salary cap without completely ####ing their team.
For $14M, you can have Alexander Ovechkin and Vlasic. I simply don't see any team spending that much cap on a single player, doesn't matter who it is.
|
The bolded is true, and would be money better spent.
But McDavid at 14 million is still better value than let's say - Brouwer, Stajan and Wideman.
McDavid at 14 million makes it extremely important for a GM not to give out a bad contract, that's for sure, or force themselves into the Chicago Blackhawks in how they are constantly using ELCs or cheap contracts to fill out there roster, yet they have won cups doing exactly this. Harder to manage? For sure, but it is also very, very possible.
Edmonton is screwed somewhat because of:
Lucic cap hit
Eberle and RNH contracts - though I think these two are moveable
Draisaitl will command a big contract as well
If Puljujarvi works out, in 2 years he will be up for a larger contract (though who knows)
Plus, the Oilers need to get better D (or if their existing D continue to improve, they will be paid accordingly).
All this without much in the pipeline for those cheap ELC contracts to help them out like the Blackhawks. That's the problem. I am sure they will manage it (though Chiarelli seemed to have a difficult time managing Boston's cap).
If I am the Flames, I put that offer sheet out there. Worst case scenario - Oilers match and their rivals just ensured there is no hometown discount. Best case scenario - they just acquired a generational player for free (nothing off the roster), and those 4 first round picks are a bargain. Treliving will have to tread more carefully around cap management, but there are guys coming up the pipe that should be able to replace some existing roster players cheaply. This means no more expensive contracts on the bottom pair of defence, and no expensive contracts on the 4th line - and only a center counting as expensive for the third line.
Workable. The first year after the acquisition may be tough with having to play more young players who sink more than swim, but as a couple of other contracts come of the books, it becomes easier. With a rising cap (which is never a guarantee, but it usually does happen) it gives even more wiggle room.
Teams will spend the bulk of their money on the core. No more expensive signings outside the core. I think most teams would find a way to accommodate McDavid, and I would bet that teams within the division would be eager to ensure McDavid gets the max contract offer to make life as difficult for the Oilers as possible. San Jose has a precedent of doing exactly that, with the same GM currently in tenure.