I don't think UFA signings and offer sheets are even remotely comparable, personally.
if you follow the thread of the post you are quoting, my comments were in reply to the idea that offer sheets are taboo & that their impact on the overall market for RFA's being affected as a result is what GM's would take issue with.
earlier posters also commented on the "gentleman's agreement" btw GM's not to offer sheet (which Bob Mac cited as why he was certain there wouldn't be any) and that MB's offer sheet somehow "changes the game"...
Looks like the RFA market had already shifted, even before yesterday's OS. All the bridges and short-terms that defined most RFA contracts have disappeared. Matthews gets $11M, Nylander sits out, and suddenly every top RFA is emboldened with a similar sense of entitlement. RFAs are negotiating under the same terms as UFAs, which is throwing a major wrench into cap structures and long-term planning. Plus, the cap didn't go up much.
The game had already changed, which is why everybody was talking about offer sheets the last few weeks. They were the next logical move in a poker game that's become much more high-stakes in the past year. Are GMs pissed? Definitely. But this OS is probably just another nail.
in any case, the extent to which there are any repercussions, visible or behind the scenes, is not something that will be objectively quantifiable. The case that the structure of the offer sheet is a strong move because it directly targets the owner is, imo, far overstated and, if accurate, certainly could create ill will that has wider ranging impacts.
Fair enough. Even if Carolina knew it was coming (which they reportedly did) and even if they knew it was inevitable, you're probably right that Waddell isn't happy being the lab rat. It's a new level of aggressiveness which everybody expected but nobody wanted to deal with.
Absolutely agree that it adds entertainment... though sadly, i get the distinct impression that this, rather than any actual concrete plan to improve our situation, was a big motivator for our inept GM. I'd rather he be focused on cultivating excellence for our organization, than playing silly PR stunt games, which this move reeks of imo. I would love to be proven wrong by the Canes not matching, but the odds of that seem, at this point, slim to none.
I'd be shocked if we ended up with Aho, but even if the gamble fails, I don't see much downside for the Habs. Bergevin flexed the org's financial muscles and reminded other GMs that Montreal has a weapon most other teams don't. Being in a position of financial strength can only help future negotiations with GMs and player agents, whether the message is, "See how much we can pay up front", or, "Don't piss us off".
EDIT: Just read the update that Canes have matched.