I don't see any downside to the arbitration, other than perhaps a really large (like 11mm) award to Tkachuk which I think unlikely. To me the risk mitigation is not the offer sheet, but the holdout. That would really skewer the Flames. No production from him, no leverage in trade negotiations with others, just a sad situation.
I want Tkachuk to stay long term, but it sure doesn't seem likely. Make the best of a bad situation and hopefully make a deal in the next week or two.
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From HFBoard oiler fan, in analyzing MacT's management:
O.K. there has been a lot of talk on whether or not MacTavish has actually done a good job for us, most fans on this board are very basic in their analysis and I feel would change their opinion entirely if the team was successful.
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