Joined: Jun. 2021
Posts: 1,247
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NYR matching the offer for Kaako really just depends on what UFA's they want to bring back. They obviously know that if they sign Copp and Vatrano/Motte, Kaako can be offer sheeted for 4 mill and NY won't be able to match. Assuming no trades are made, if they sign only Motte (probably around 2.5 mill), and match an offer for Kaako at 4.2 mill for two years (2nd rounder compensation), then they will have around 13 mill to re-sign Chytil, Lafreniere, K'Andre Miller, Reaves (or a cheaper replacement), and a backup goalie the next year.
Someone could offer sheet Lafreniere 6.3 mill with 1st and 3rd compensation, meaning they have to match or lose him. If they match, then there is about 6 mill for the rest of the players they need to sign, and if another offer sheet comes in at 4.2 mill for either Chytil or Miller, they have to choose between the two, so they will lose one probably. And now there is about 2 mill left to sign a dirt cheap backup goalie and 4th liner. Overall, if they don't sign any UFA and make zero trades, they might lose one of Chytil, Lafreniere, Kaako, or Miller to offer sheet, and if they sign Copp/Vatrano/Motte, its pretty much a guaranteed loss of one of those RFAs for only a second rounder. Of course this is all assuming no trades or buyouts to free up cap space, which if they did, they would probably be able to keep their RFAs.
I know offer sheets don't happen often because GM's don't like to be arseholes, but offer sheeting Chytil, Laf, Kaako, or Miller for 4.2 mill is literally switching out a 2nd rounder for a 1st rounder. I would think that every GM would be all over that if they like the player