The Carolina Hurricanes were seeking a skilled winger and with no skilled free agents left and trades hard to come by, the Canes went the offer sheet route and boy did they stick this offer sheet to the Canadiens. Likely pay back for the Sebastian Aho offer sheet.
If Kotkaniemi joins the Hurricanes, the Canadiens would receive a first-round pick and a third-round pick at the 2022 NHL Draft as compensation. The Habs could use that as part of a package to land Eichel. The Sabres will also likely ask for Cole Caulfield as part of a package.
Eric Engels of Sportsnet reports the Canadiens could now be strong suitors in the Jack Eichel sweepstakes. Losing Kotkaniemi—a young, promising centre—certainly weakens their hand, but it doesn't crush it. If they're willing to move the picks and some high-end prospects, and live with the risk of Eichel becoming the first NHL player to have an artificial disc-replacement procedure before dressing for a game in their uniform, it's an avenue Marc Bergevin could go down.
If Bergevin really wants to cause a ruckus in the NHL, if he looses Kotkaniemi to the Hurricanes, he could also go the route of an offer sheet and offer one to Vancouver Canucks star forward Elias Pettersson.
