No one is arguing this. The point is why the hell would a guy who truly WANTS to stay with the Lightning expect to do so by signing like a $5 million offer sheet if they know the Lightning is going to have a hard time coming up with that kind of money? Why the f*** would you go out of your way to make an already difficult situation even more difficult if you want to come back to your team?
They'll either sign for what the Lightning need to or they won't sign at all. End of story. History tells us to bet on the former
It's pretty simple.
If player X is worth $5 million, they can simply tell the organization that's what they deserve.... Maybe Tampa even agrees.
Tampa says, we needs to make moves, be patient.
A week goes by... no moves.
Player X - So, you haven't made the moves yet, when are you going to, so I can secure my future?
A second week goes by...no moves...
Player X - SO, you haven't made those moves yet that you've promised. When are you going to, so that I can secure my future?
How long does this go on, before Player X, who is being called by other teams, and being offered that $5 million (or more), loses patience, and forces their hand?
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Look, any, and every team in the NHL, can go over the cap, by 10% in the offseason. If Tampa truly wanted to sign Sergachev, Cirelli, and Cernak now, they could easily do so, and still be under that 10% cap. Who knows, maybe even deals have been negotiated, but are awaiting guys like Johnson, Gourde or Palat being moved??
But the longer this drags out, and the fewer teams there are out there, willing to take on Cap, the harder this gets, and the more likely a team will eventually offersheet one of these guys.
To answer your question directly. Why would you go out of your way, to make a difficult situation worse, if your preference is to come back to that team? Patience, and the greater need to secure your financial future, which the latter should always be the priority.
