Aho sure didn't seem to have any issues going back into his locker room. This is the business side of hockey where the players are concerned, and I think they all get that. 6+ million is a windfall for Kotkaniemi.
I think this was a really good move by Carolina actually - KK is overpaid, but if Montreal doesn't match, Carolina has overpaid KK by about 3 million for this year. I am sure if they want to extend him after January, he won't be asking for 6+ million on his next deal (unless he ends up really working out somehow - some people did think he was going to be a really good player, and just stalled).
Great entertainment FU move by Carolina. How many teams are going to be willing to put in an offer-sheet on one of their players in the future?
I really do think how offer-sheets are structured, most teams just match. I think their best purpose is to screw up another team's salary structure. I still remember when SJ threw a wrench into Chicago's salary structure when Hjalmarson signed that offer-sheet.
I am not sure that Montreal doesn't match - how do they see Kotkaniemi? Maybe they feel he will rebound, or maybe they think that he and his contract is worth a lower price than a 1st and a 3rd? I guess we will find out in a week.
|