The St. Louis Blues' successful signings of Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway via offer sheets last summer prompted expectations among NHL pundits that other clubs might follow suit this summer.
That anticipation was further stoked by the increase in the salary cap to $95.5 million. PuckPedia indicates there are currently a dozen teams carrying over $10 million in cap space, giving them plenty of room to pursue skilled RFAs from rival clubs.
Mason McTavish of the Anaheim Ducks has been mentioned as a possible offer-sheet target. The 22-year-old center completed his entry-level contract and lacks arbitration rights.
Shayna Goldman of The Athletic had McTavish atop her recent list of candidates. She acknowledged the Ducks have the cap room ($21.3 million) to match any offer but suggested a pitch of around $7.02 million might stump them.
The Ducks could match it because they don't need the compensatory draft picks and have a deep prospect pipeline. Nevertheless, Goldman suggested they might be unwilling to make an expensive commitment to McTavish.
On Bleacher Report, Frank Seravalli thinks McTavish could be weary of the constant losing with the rebuilding Ducks and might prefer a change of scenery. He believes some clubs may have tried to work on what an offer sheet might look like for the young center.
Most of the speculation about McTavish originates outside of Anaheim. So far, Ducks management has said very little about their contract talks, and there's been even less coming from the McTavish camp.
Any offer between $7.02 million and $9.36 million requires compensation of a first, a second and a third-round pick. Over $9.36 million to $11.7 million is two first-rounders, a second, and a third. Over $11.7 million is four first-rounders.
McTavish is a good second-line center and would have considerable value in a trade market thin on quality centers. However, it's doubtful he'll get an offer sheet north of $7.02 million.
Meanwhile, in Columbus, Yegor Chinakhov has requested a trade from the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Chinakhov, 24, was a first-round pick by the Blue Jackets in the 2020 draft. He cited “misunderstandings” with head coach Dean Evason as to why he wants to move on.
Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reported Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell was surprised that Chinakhov made his request public. He said he'd spoken with the young forward previously, that he didn't play well following his return from a back injury and couldn't handle being a healthy scratch near the end of the season.
Chinakhov's agent, Shumi Babaev, doubted that his client could remain with the Blue Jackets. Nevertheless, Waddell said he'll move him only for the right offer.
Both sides agree Chinakhov will report for training camp in September.
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