This is a brilliant PR move because it work on 3 fronts Fan, players and other team that will all help him in the long run.
1) it is good for fan, he used every trick in the book lack of result isn’t on him now he can continue going about is business of improving the club with less pressure without having to make panic or reaction move.
2) it is good for the players, it prove that the team is going every thing it can to win. Also kind skew reality that no one want to come to Mtl...
The story isn’t Mtl loses out on Duchesne, Lee, Panarin, Simmons, Perry, it is Aho (one of the best young player in the NHL) want to come to Mtl.
3) This offer AAV isn’t out of wack so it can’t be used to inflate other player demand, so he won’t catch to much heat. It also serve has a warning and notice to other teams helping out our rival with cap issue, make sure your house is in order or stay in our lane.
Carolina was riding high with there season and playoff now the damaged will be done even when they match in 7 days.