Offer Sheet Scenario - Is this allowed?

[I Hate Blake Coleman]

Let's say Mikael Backlund has a breakout year next season and racks up a good amount of points. Come off season, the Flames and Backlund are negotiating back and forth for a while unable to work out a deal. Then the Sabres throw an offer sheet at Backlund, but the Flames match it.

Can Backlund still sign the Sabres' offer sheet and go to Buffalo, or is Calgary or nothing?

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[YoSoyLalo]

By signing an offer sheet from the Sabres, he technically signed a deal with both; if the Flames match, he is automatically signed to the offer sheet that Buffalo submitted.

 

[Mantha Poodoo]

By signing an offer sheet from the Sabres, he technically signed a deal with both; if the Flames match, he is automatically signed to the offer sheet that Buffalo submitted.

This is correct. To further elaborate, giving a player an offer sheet doesn't mean jack squat unless the player signs the offer sheet. Once he does, the currently owning team has a chance to match. If they do, they get the player and the agreed upon contract. In this case, Backlund can't go back and sign the Sabres offer sheet after Calgary matches... he already signed that sheet in the first place.