Kevin’s Morning Hash: Should the Habs Match the Carolina Offer Sheet?

We think the Montreal Canadiens should match the Carolina Hurricanes’ $6.1 million offer sheet to Jesperi Kotkaniemi. This is only the 36th offer sheet ever presented and 61.1% of teams have matched the offer in those instances. This is only the 11th offer sheet since 1998 and teams have matched nine of the last 10 (90%).

But Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman says they may take the compensation and use that to trade for another center.

The Hurricanes made it clear that they made the offer as revenge for the Canadiens providing an offer sheet to Sebastian Aho two years ago.

But make no mistake: the ‘Canes would like to have Kotkaniemi, even though their offer represents a slight over-payment for the player. They’d be happy to have Kotkaniemi in exchange for the compensation of a first-round pick and a third-rounder. The Hurricanes expect to pick lower in the first round next season.

The Canadiens had expected more out of Kotkaniemi, but they don’t want to lose him. He was the third overall pick in the 2018 draft. Plus, teams tend to believe you look weak if you allow another team to poach your your player. Kotkaniemi is worth more than a later first-round pick.

The last team to accept compensation in an offer sheet situation were the Anaheim Ducks in 2007. They picked up first-, second- and third-round picks from the Edmonton Oilers for Dustin Penner.

Here's the thing: the Habs did the CANES a favor, not Tom Dundon. Remember he had to pay 21 mil that first year with signing bonuses. https://t.co/7ftBQRW5OA

— Sara Civ (@SaraCivian) August 29, 2021

Around the NHL

San Jose: Because of an expiring contract, Tomas Hertl  could be a key center in the trade market. San Jose Hockey Now’s Sheng Peng looks at the center market and what salary Hertl could command. 

Vancouver:  Vancouver Hockey Now’s Rob Simpson talked with well-connected Nick Kypreos, formerly of Hockey Night in Canada, who says sources indicate bridge deals are likely for Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes. 

Detroit: It’s been a while since the Detroit Red Wings were competitive, but coach Jeff Blashill believes they’re on the right path. 

Florida: The Spencer Knight vs. Sergei Bobrovsky Florida Panthers goalie battle should be interesting.