It's tough to line up a team which has the cap space, required draft picks, and motivation. Most of the teams who have cap space still have a high profile RFA of their own to sign now or in the near future. Or possibly have other budgetary limitations.
hypothetical offer sheet: 4.5 AAV which requires 1st+3rd compensation
Cap space:
ANA|ARZ|CGY|LAK|SJS|VAN|VGK
CHI|COL|DAL|MIN|NSH|STL|WPG
BOS|BUF|DET|FLO|MON|OTT|TOR|TBL
CAR|CBJ|NJD|NYI|NYR|PHI|PIT|WSH
Cap space + Draft picks:
ANA|ARZ|CGY|LAK|SJS|VAN|VGK
CHI|COL|DAL|MIN|NSH|STL|WPG
BOS|BUF|DET|FLO|MON|OTT|TOR|TBL
CAR|CBJ|NJD|NYI|NYR|PHI|PIT|WSH
Arizona: Already at 50 contract limit. Plus they might not have the budget to add another contract.
Vancouver: Doubt they'd risk their 1st rounder, especially since they're hosting the 2019 Draft.
Vegas: Still need to sign Shea Theodore and otherwise might be reserving their remaining assets for Erik Karlsson.
Colorado: Maybe the most plausible team, but they might not be willing to risk an unprotected first.
Dallas: Tight squeeze with the cap.
Montreal: Probably don't want to be sending away their 1st.
Toronto: Plenty of cap space this year, but may have to be cautious with Matthews/Marner needing new deals next summer.
Carolina: Seem pretty set on D, plus probably not looking to move their 1st.
Columbus: Maybe could fit a need, but Werenski due for big raise next summer.
NY Rangers: Seems unlikely.
Philadelphia: Seem pretty set on D.
And then even at 4.5 million, Edmonton could match and get under the cap with some moves that they'd probably prefer not to do. You could extend a higher offer sheet, but then you'd be venturing into "are you now overpaying Nurse" territory.
hypothetical offer sheet: 4.5 AAV which requires 1st+3rd compensation
Cap space:
ANA|ARZ|CGY|LAK|SJS|VAN|VGK
CHI|COL|DAL|MIN|NSH|STL|WPG
BOS|BUF|DET|FLO|MON|OTT|TOR|TBL
CAR|CBJ|NJD|NYI|NYR|PHI|PIT|WSH
Cap space + Draft picks:
ANA|ARZ|CGY|LAK|SJS|VAN|VGK
CHI|COL|DAL|MIN|NSH|STL|WPG
BOS|BUF|DET|FLO|MON|OTT|TOR|TBL
CAR|CBJ|NJD|NYI|NYR|PHI|PIT|WSH
Arizona: Already at 50 contract limit. Plus they might not have the budget to add another contract.
Vancouver: Doubt they'd risk their 1st rounder, especially since they're hosting the 2019 Draft.
Vegas: Still need to sign Shea Theodore and otherwise might be reserving their remaining assets for Erik Karlsson.
Colorado: Maybe the most plausible team, but they might not be willing to risk an unprotected first.
Dallas: Tight squeeze with the cap.
Montreal: Probably don't want to be sending away their 1st.
Toronto: Plenty of cap space this year, but may have to be cautious with Matthews/Marner needing new deals next summer.
Carolina: Seem pretty set on D, plus probably not looking to move their 1st.
Columbus: Maybe could fit a need, but Werenski due for big raise next summer.
NY Rangers: Seems unlikely.
Philadelphia: Seem pretty set on D.
And then even at 4.5 million, Edmonton could match and get under the cap with some moves that they'd probably prefer not to do. You could extend a higher offer sheet, but then you'd be venturing into "are you now overpaying Nurse" territory.
