Breaking news from the NHL regarding an offer sheet : Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens finally know what to do to sign Dubois

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Elias Adaime
April 28, 2023 (11:37)

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This Thursday morning, yesterday, the renowned Elliotte Friedman shared on his Twitter account a chart that shows the price that would have to be paid this summer if a team wants to make an offer sheet to a restricted free agent.

Here's what's up, the NHL has just made the official announcement to confirm this information.

After this NHL announcement, it will be interesting to see if the Canadiens will make one or if they will be the victim of one.

The last two offer sheets that occurred in the NHL involved the Montreal Canadiens, as Marc Bergevin convinced Sebastian Aho to sign with the team, before the Hurricanes retaliated with Jesperi Kotkaniemi.

In recent weeks, some have suggested making an offer sheet to Pierre-Luc Dubois in order to acquire him.

This strategy would have greatly handcuffed the Jets by forcing them to match the Habs offer, without being able to trade him for a season.

Dubois would become an unrestricted free agent the following summer and could agree with the Canadiens, without having to be acquired via trade.

As of today, as demonstrated by Charles-Alexis Brisebois of the site DLC, the Habs are not really able to make one to the Jets' forward.

Indeed, according to the regulation, the offered pick must be the team's and not one obtained through a trade.

The transaction that was concluded after Jesperi Kotkaniemi's departure, namely the acquisition of Christian Dvorak, prevents the Habs from being eligible to make offer sheets from $6,435,186 to $10,725,314, as their 2024 pick has gone to Arizona.

It would also be surprising if, even if he could, Kent Hughes made an offer of more than $10,725,314, which would give the Jets four first-round picks. An offer of less than $6,435,186 would, at the same time, certainly be matched by the Manitoba team...

We recall that earlier this week, Tony Marinaro and Aaron Portzline talked about this strategy in 2020, mentioning that the main interested party would have liked to receive such an offer. It didn't happen, and the Blue Jackets didn't have to match an offer.

Regarding possible offer sheets next summer, it will also be interesting to see if Cole Caufield receives one if he doesn't sign with the Habs by then. According to the latest information, Caufield will not make it easy for the Canadiens. A signing could be delayed as negotiations seem tough.

Imagine Caufield receiving an offer between $8,850,2504 and $10,725,314. Would you match the offer or prefer the compensation (2 first-round picks, 1 second-round pick, and 1 third-round pick)?