As Leo Carlsson’s massive offer sheet resets the market, the Islanders look to secure Matthew Schaefer early, avoiding a high-stakes bidding war for their franchise cornerstone.
On Friday, the Philadelphia Flyers sent shockwaves through the league when they elected to offer sheet the Anaheim Ducks' young stud centerman Leo Carlsson.
This move came after Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek made the bold statement that he would match any offer sheet that came his way.
Now, it's time to put his money where his mouth is, with Carlsson signing the offer sheet that would see him paid $18 million annually.
Verbeek has been known to be cheap when it comes to negotiating with his restricted free agents and that issue has now come to the forefront.
Had he signed Carlsson during the season or before July 1, this could all have been avoided.
This offer sheet also set the market for other young players looking to get paid.
Carlsson is not worth $18 million annually -- that's a fact.
But if he's getting that much money, what are Chicago Blackhawks star Connor Bedard and San Jose Sharks star Macklin Celebrini thinking, two players who are both entering the final seasons of their entry-level contracts?
Spoiler alert: They are going to get more.
What about Calder winner, New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer?
The 18-year-old superstar still has two seasons left on his entry-level deal but is eligible to sign an extension on July 1, 2027.
Unlike what's transpiring in Anaheim, no one should be shocked if Schaefer inks an extension on that date.
Per the rules, a restricted free agent who has signed an extension is ineligible to be signed to an offer sheet. Also, a reminder, the player has to sign the offer sheet, and there's zero reason, even in a hypothetical world, that Schaefer has any interest in leaving Long Island.
Verbeek's mishandling of this situation sends a message to Mathieu Darche and the other 30 NHL general managers.
Sign your restricted free agent stars. Don't wait because, well, we've got Exhibit A right in front of us on what happens when you piss an RFA off.
How high will Schaefer's next deal be, AAV wise?
Could we see it be around $20 million annually for seven years?
He's getting a blank check.
Whatever the number is, Darche and Islanders fans will be able to sleep well knowing Schaefer is going to manning the Islanders' blue line for a very long time.
