In some of rambling Bolt threads on the main trade board I did pick up a few points:
1) Russian scuttlebutt says Sergachev wants to stay in TB and it would take a huge offer for him to even consider signing a offer sheet. That means he will likely sign some version of their infamous bridge deals unless someone hits him with something crazy and that likely won’t happen. Also, I’m guessing BriseBois will look to move anything else outside of the “untouchables” before moving Sergachev. He would be great to get, I want him too, I just not sure they have to go nuclear option yet.
2) More importantly, TB, like many teams, often takes its sweet time with RFAs and we wouldn’t hear about unsigned offer sheets. Point signed his bridge deal in Sept 23, it could take a while to hear about finalized deals. Don’t expect closure anytime soon.
Vegas had a ticking bomb because of AP. It would benefit Tampa or anyone else who hoped to do a cap deal with NJ and the few other teams with space to do it as quickly as possible before another bogarted that space with a deal. Tampa might not be in that much of a hurry to sign the RFAs but cap relief moves presumably has to be coming sooner.
Then again Lou traded Malakhov to the Sharks on October 1st, slipping under the cap a week before the season started.
https://www.si.com/hockey/news/devils-trade-malakhov-first-round-pick-to-sharks-for-two-players