How Carolina Offer Sheet Could Impact NHL Trade Market, Eichel Drama | PHN+

By Dan Kingerski |

Aug 29, 2021

NHL trade, Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Montreal Canadiens, GM Marc Bergevin — BROSSARD, QC - APRIL 9: Montreal Canadiens General Manager Marc Bergevin listens to journalists questions during the Montreal Canadiens end of season press conference on April 9, 2018, at Bell Sports Complex in Brossard, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire)

The somewhat ridiculous chaos theory posits that a butterfly flapping its wings can create a tornado. We know small changes in the typical order can create far-reaching consequences, and the Montreal Canadiens could have set in motion a chain of events two years in the making that could end the NHL trade drama surrounding Jack Eichel and more.

Maybe the butterfly theory isn’t so ridiculous.

Two years ago, the Montreal Canadiens slapped a $42 million offer sheet before Carolina Hurricanes RFA Sebastian Aho. And the recent chain of events may play perfectly for the Montreal Canadiens.

On Saturday, the Carolina Hurricanes exacted their revenge, or so they think. Carolina dished a one-year, $6.1 million offer to Montreal Canadiens center Jesperi Kotkaniemi but didn’t stop there. Carolina’s team Twitter account also taunted Montreal with a post in French, and the offer sheet included a $20 signing bonus.

Aho is No. 20.

Yeah. But the fallout could end at least one festering situation and unleash the NHL trade market.

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