The Canadiens DECLINE to match Kotkaniemi’s offer sheet and walk away

Time was running out and it has been confirmed that the Montreal Canadiens have refused to match the offer sheet tended to Jesperi Kotkaniemi by the Carolina Hurricanes. 

"Carolina has used a tool available to them in the collective bargaining agreement and we accept that decision," said Marc Bergevin.
That's the only comment from the GM at this time.

A week ago today, the Hurricanes signed Kotkaniemi to a one-year, $6 million offer sheet that he accepted as the team shared that the young centre was looking forward to play in Raleigh this upcoming season. And that’s a good thing because he is officially heading there. And they are quite happy. 

This is the first time since 2007 that an offer sheet is not matched in the NHL. Last time was when the Anaheim Ducks refused to match Dustin Penner’s 5 years, $21.5 million offer sheet tended by the Edmonton Oilers.

Most fans and pundits had a feeling that GM Marc Bergevin would decline to match the offer sheet. 

Earlier this week, Sportsnet insider for the Canadiens Eric Engels had mentioned that Bergevin had already made up his mind to let Kotkaniemi walk. 

“Right now I think the most likely scenario is they’re going to let him walk, and replace him via trade,” Engels had said. 

Now things get interesting as the compensation is a significant one: a first- and third-round draft pick. Many wonder if the Canadiens could look to acquire Jack Eichel from the Buffalo Sabres. Chatter got more intense when the Sabres’ captain hired agent Pat Brisson to make things happen. With Brisson coming in, the Canadiens have become a rumoured destination for Eichel. Like mentioned above, the Canadiens could become front-runners for Eichel, using the Hurricanes’ first- and third-round picks in next year’s draft, hence offering up two first-round picks and a prospect would bring Eichel to Montreal. 

The Canadiens could also use those same picks in a Christian Dvorak trade out of Arizona, as Engels and coworker Elliotte Friedman reported earlier this week when we all awaited the Habs’ decision on Kotkaniemi’s offer sheet. 

Now the Canadiens have those picks in hand and we can only imagine that Bergevin will make a blockbuster move and have the Canes and Kotkaniemi to thank for. 

Kotkaniemi had 20 points (five goals, 15 assists) in 56 regular-season appearances for Montreal last year, and added five goals and three assists in 19 playoff games. He was selected him third overall by the Habs in the 2018 NHL entry draft, but will now wear a different uniform in the upcoming season.