Duchene just signed with Nashville after teasing Montreal with hope last week -- do we imagine Bergevin is pissed at Poile for out maneuvering him on that player? Of course not, because every GM knows the UFA market is an aggressive game of poker. You try, you bid, but sometimes the other guy beats you. Offer sheets are part of the same poker game; it's just a move we don't see often. I don't see any reason why any GM or owner should suddenly start taking things personally.
As to the offer sheet itself, I get the logic of targeting the owner and cash flow instead of the team budget. Carolina could've matched a higher cap hit; the huge bonus might be the only thing that'll make them pause. Or at least consider a secondary deal to even things out. Am I optimistic? No. But it's entertaining as hell!
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"...
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.
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.