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THREAT OF OFFER SHEET MAKES TRADE POSSIBLE

September 7, 2009, 10:02 AM ET [ Comments]
Mike Augello
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
More than a few of comments have been made about the possibility of Toronto using an offer sheet to obtain an unsigned RFA. Usually, the word "hypocrisy" appears somewhere in the response, due to the fact that Brian Burke reacted with ridicule and scorn two years ago when Kevin Lowe and the Edmonton Oilers signed Dustin Penner to an offer sheet. Actually, ridicule and scorn is understating it. The war of words between Burke and Lowe were practically no-holds barred(and extremely entertaining).

Whether it is Phil Kessel or Brandon Dubinsky, the Leafs re-obtaining their 2nd round pick(which was traded originally in the deal for Mikhail Grabovski) puts them in a position to offer an offer sheet. The compensation for the signing of a player to a contract worth $4.52 to 6.02 Million a season is a team's own 1st, 2nd and 3rd pick. That's a very steep price, especially for a team that is not guaranteed to make the playoffs. Thoughts of giving up that kind of compensation are immediately followed in the brains of most pessimistic Leaf fans(myself included)to the Leafs having a bad year, not having the benefit of their own first round pick and the other team drafting some young superstar-to-be with the Leafs lottery pick. Can you say "Scott Niedermayer" or "Roberto Luongo"????

That is why it is possible that Burke made the deal for the 2nd round pick to be able to threaten to offer an offer sheet, but not to actually use that option. He now has a sword to hold over Peter Chiarelli or Glen Sather's head, saying that he can sign their RFA player to an offer sheet, which those teams are unlikely to match, because both the Bruins and Rangers are in cap trouble. Draft picks are more valuable, but that is the long term outlook. Both teams are playoff teams and have aspirations to go far this year, so they would benefit more from a return of a player(s) that could help them win now, rather than draft picks that may help them down the road. Plus, the Leafs have the ability to take on more salary, so the potential cap relief of a lopsided money deal is another attractive aspect.

UPDATE: Per Darren Dreger's twitter update, Boston GM Peter Chiarelli says that they will match any offer sheet that Burke will make.

Eklund is reporting that there is rumored deal involving the Florida Panthers, with the Leafs swapping a defenseman in return for a scoring forward. The scoring forward that could be headed to the Leafs is possibly 26 year old Toronto native Stephen Weiss or 24 year old Welland, ON product Nathan Horton. With Jay Bouwmeester departing to Calgary and recently Steve Eminger signing with Anaheim, that leaves the Panthers a bit light on defensemen who have significant NHL experience. It is likely that Tomas Kaberle is the defenseman being rumored, because putting him together with his former defense partner Bryan McCabe makes a lot of sense. Plus, Kaberle would likely waive his no-trade to go there.

Stay tuned......

From the desk of Mike "In Buffalo" Augello
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