why wouldn't Winnipeg match the offer?

Yea they might, but still worth a shot.

Wouldn't the Rangers be much better off signing Panarin to 11m....he's a better player and wants to play in NYC and Rangers keep their picks.
Kreider to Oilers seems to make the rounds endlessly. No way Oilers risk a high lottery pick for one year of Kreider.

Laine is 6 years younger, so he can still be just as good as Panarin if not better. I know the Panarin scenario is more likely, but I think this would be sick and no one would complain.

I get what you are saying about the Oilers trade, but you never know, look at the Miller trade with Vancouver. Vancouver gave up a 1st for Miller... Miller lol.

Couldn’t have said it better myself.

They may, but they also have to sign Connor, Pionk and 8 roster player for under $23M. If they match this it would give them $13M for 8 players for the rest.

Then lets say that Connor takes a CHEAP bridge deal of $5M AAV for 3 years (which i doubt if he sees laine making 10.5). Pionk is projected to get $2.5-3M on a bridge so that leaves $5.5M for 8 players. League minimum is $650k so 8 players on league minimums would be $5.2M.

Not saying they wouldnt match, but it makes things very tough for them and they would most likely have to move a roster player.

I'm not sure the Jets match. After all if the way to sign Laine is to trade Kreider, are the Rangers thats much better. No reason next year still wouldn't be a top 10 pick. But the Jets would have the cap space cement their roster....is this case without Laine.

I'mnot sure they match either, they're not the smartest of organizations and I really wonder if they realize what they have in Laine, they seem to value hard working plugs more then skilled and talented players.