Insider Predicts More Offer Sheets; New Jersey Devils Impact

It appears the walls are coming down around the NHL when it comes to offer sheets. Once a rarity due to a gentlemen’s code between NHL general managers, offer sheets were rarely utilized on restricted free agents to keep fellow GMs in good graces for future negotiations. However, it sounds like the gloves are coming off and we could see offer sheets utilized more often, which could have an impact on the New Jersey Devils.

The St. Louis Blues seemingly changed the landscape of future offseasons when they successfully converted on two offer sheets.

As a result, Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway are the newest members of the Blues after GM Doug Armstrong pried away them from the Edmonton Oilers.

According to Frank Seravalli, some of the most important people in the league took notice and want to see their teams start utilizing the tool.

“I think we’re going to start seeing more offer sheets moving forward. Because two things happened. One, forever you’ve heard GMs say in the NHL, ‘Oh, offer sheets, they’re not successful,’” Seravalli explained on the latest DFO Rundown Podcast.

“Look at the list of players who have gotten them that ultimately ended up changing hands. That theory is out the window now. And another reason is because I can tell you this from talking to a number of GMs around the league. Their owner watched what happened and have been up their ass since. Then said, ‘Wait, this team got two young players without having to give up much and made another team worse? Why haven’t we been doing this more?

“So there’s been a refrain from fans over the last 10 plus years that says, oh, owners don’t like hurting each other. That they like, everyone likes to play nice in the sandbox. I would revise that to say that the reason we haven’t seen more offer sheets is because GMs like to play nice in the sandbox.”

Devils Impact

Certainly, an increase in offer sheet usage could have Devils implications.

Currently, the Devils and restricted free agent Dawson Mercer still need to come to terms on a contract. It’s expected the two sides will agree on a bridge-deal — potentially before camp opens on Wednesday when veterans report.

GO DEEPER: Expect Bridge-Deal Between Devils & Dawson Mercer

If the likely scenario comes to fruition, a two or three-year contract for the Devils forward means Mercer will still be an RFA when he needs another contract in the future.

Mercer has been a coveted player by fellow NHL teams. General manager Tom Fitzgerald has turned away offers for the young Devils forward before, and there’s little reason to believe he won’t do it again.

But in a few summers, if GMs are now being encouraged by their owners to extend offer sheets, Mercer would be a prime candidate to receive one. And he’s not the only one.

Soon, the Devils will need to sign defensemen Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec to new deals. Hughes’ contract is set to expire next summer, and Nemec the one after.

As we saw with Broberg and Holloway, teams — especially rebuilding/retooling ones — certainly value young players with high ceilings. Therefore, if the Devils happen to let negotiations get past July 1st in the respective summers that the aforementioned players become RFAs, Fitzgerald could be forced into an offer sheet situation.

On the flip side, Devils owners, Josh Harris and David Blitzer, could encourage Fitzgerald to get in on the offer sheet game as well. So whereas the idea of losing a young, valuable player is uncomfortable, the playing field appears more open for Fitzgerald to utilize the avenue as well.

It feels like future off-seasons could begin to feel like the Wild West.

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