This narrative is getting a little old.

Every year it seems TOR can't ice a more than 20 man roster or this or that because of the cap.

And every year, Dubas is able to make it work. I'm sure he's very well aware that he's got two young good defensemen up for new contracts.

I disagree with that...Did social media play it out like that? Sure. Was there a bit of trolling in the contract number? Sure. Honestly though, if you said to a Habs fan last year "Canes 1st rounder for KK straight up", you'd have been laughed out of the room. Canes took advantage of their cap space (which they didn't need), a 1st rounder that they assumed would be late (which they didn't need), and got themselves a 21 year old former 3rd overall pick, who had shown decent upside, solid play in the playoffs, is responsible in his own end, would still be under team control, etc. I honestly don't think you can get a player like that for less?

Bit of trolling? Sure. Extremely smart decision? Absolutely.

I am not sure what others are saying for “the narrative” but having Matthews, Marner, Nylander plus 8 NTCs make up ~$70 million for 11 spots seems to me like any of their RFAs deserve to be on this list.

eh, I think "extremely smart" is being pretty generous. KK has been...pretty "meh" this season. They rolled the dice on him being motivated and turning that 3rd OA potential and pedigree into actual production, and I don't think you can say he has. Plus, you gotta remember, the value of a draft pick isn't just in the player that would be selected with that pick, it is in the trade value other teams would attach to it - e.g. MTL then turning that pick into Dvorak.

Maybe KK is a late bloomer and puts us all to shame in a few seasons. But for now, it isn't just "social media" playing into the storyline when CAR is actively playing into the storyline as well.

I mean, it's not going to happen, but I want to live in the world where someone O/S's a Leaf, just because of the hilarious Leafs-factions that will be created...

I feel like this was done with eyes down the road. Pretty likely that guys like Nino and Trochek hit the market this summer. If you can have KK there, ready to move up in the lineup, signed for $4.82 long term, and all it cost you was a 1st, I'm all for it. I'd rather pay gamble on a guy that's going to be paid during his prime than worry about the last 2-3 years of a 30+ contract.

Maybe it bites them long term, but from a cost perspective, it's the type of gamble that I'd like to see more teams make.

Edit: Re: Dvorak, they also sent a 2nd...granted, it's in 2024, but still...

Ah, I thought the Dvorak trade was a 1st straight up. Good catch. Still, my point remains on the trade value of those picks.

And I get it with looking-forward for them. It's a bold move to give KK a contract like that, but one that could pay.

Look, I just thought the whole MTL/CAR OS saga was a dumb, unnecessary mess. Unfortunately for KK, that story is going to follow him.

Why would Necas sign a MTL offersheet though? I highly doubt he wants to play there.

Fair. The optics certainly left a bit to be desired, but at the same time, I'm curious to know how many non-hockey fans it got talking about hockey in late August? I mean, for as troll-y as it was, it certainly got people talking.

End of the day though, I'm absolutely pro-offer sheet from both sides, and a little showmanship never hurt anyone.

Because money can absolutely buy you happiness? I mean, Dustin Penner signed an OS with Edmonton (coming off a 71 point season/25th out of 30 teams) about a month after winning the cup in Anaheim.

That being said, Carolina can afford him, and has likely resigned themselves to the fact that Troch/Nino are likely out the door. Can't see them doing too much until Necas is dealt with.

possibly but I highly doubt that

Why did Sebastian Aho sign a MTL offersheet?

They weren't a bottom feeder then, were they? But I think he knew Carolina had the cap space and would match - he was frustrated with the negotiation process.