Mar 1, 2021; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Elias Pettersson Mandatory Credit: James Carey Lauder-USA TODAY Sports
The Montreal Canadiens are the only team to have used the offer sheet option in recent years in the NHL.
Two years ago, on July 1, 2019, they signed Carolina Hurricanes centre Sebastian Aho to a five year contract with a cap hit just under $8.5 million. The Canes had seven days to either match the contract and keep their player, or let him go to Montreal and be compensated for losing the young star.
They elected to match, claiming it was one of the easiest decisions they ever had to make as hockey executives.