Offer sheets return to stir the Oilers: A look back and forward
The Edmonton Oilers find themselves in a déjà vu scenario with two new offer sheets on their table, reminiscent of the 2007 drama that ignited a fiery exchange between then-Oilers GM Kevin Lowe and his counterpart from the Anaheim Ducks, Brian Burke.
The incident was sparked when Lowe placed an offer sheet on Ducks forward Dustin Penner, which resulted in a now-infamous feud that included public insults and a bizarre challenge to a barn fight in Lake Placid.
Back in the summer of 2007, the hockey world was abuzz when Kevin Lowe tendered an offer sheet to Dustin Penner worth $21.25 million over five years. This move not only startled the league but also sent the Ducks scrambling as it pushed them over the then-recently instituted salary cap of $48 million. Anaheim, unable to match the offer, lost Penner to the Oilers and received Edmonton's first, second, and third-round picks in the 2008 NHL Draft as compensation.
The repercussions of this action were immediate and significant. Brian Burke, the Ducks' GM at the time, was vocal about his displeasure, leading to a public and intense rivalry with Lowe. Burke's disbelief and anger translated into what some might call an over-the-top reaction, including his infamous challenge to Lowe for a fight, which NHL commissioner Gary Bettman quickly squashed with a stern warning of suspension.
The draft picks Anaheim received turned into significant assets. Jake Gardiner, Justin Schultz, and Marc Andre Bergeron were the players selected with those picks, with Gardiner later being traded to Toronto. Penner, meanwhile, had a mixed tenure with the Oilers, culminating in a trade to the Los Angeles Kings in 2011, where the Oilers received a draft pick that turned into Oskar Klefbom.
Fast forward to today, and the Oilers are once again at a crossroads with new offer sheets presented for players Holloway and Broberg. This decision echoes the strategic challenges faced back in 2007, with the team having seven days to decide whether to match the offers or receive draft picks as compensation.
While offer sheets are not the most common strategy for acquiring players, preferring the more mutual agreement route of trades, they remain a tool in the arsenal of NHL general managers. They can set precedents, influence team dynamics, and stir the sports community, as seen with the Oilers' historical and current situations.
This reflective moment for the Oilers not only brings back memories of past disputes but also underscores the ongoing strategic decisions teams must make in the face of cap constraints and competitive pressures. The outcome of the current offer sheets could well set the tone for another memorable chapter in Oilers' history.
Source : ESPN.com
Oilers sign Penner to five-year, $21.25M offer sheet
Source OilersNation.com
Edmonton Oilers Retrospective: The Dustin Penner Offer Sheet
| POLL | ||
Do you agree with the tactic of an offer sheet? | ||
| Yes | 22 | 40 % |
| No | 33 | 60 % |
| List of polls | ||
