Report: Hurricanes fire back at Habs, retaliatory offersheet coming?

In case you missed it, the Carolina Hurricanes announced earlier today that they intend to match the five year offersheet submitted to forward Sebastian Aho by the Montreal Canadiens.

You’ll note the use of “intend to” meaning that the Hurricanes haven’t officially filed paperwork with the league just yet. Chances are they’re letting Habs GM Marc Bergevin sweat things out over the next six days. 

 In effect the Habs are handcuffed and cannot make ANY transactions until the Hurricanes file their paperwork with the NHL. 

“Maybe I don’t want to help them right now,” Waddell smiled.

Petty? Maybe. Do we love it? Yes.

Even more petty though is the notion that the Hurricanes could actually retaliate back with an offersheet of their own, at least according to NHL insider Pierre LeBrun who “guarantees” that Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon has given GM Don Waddell the authority to go after any unsigned Habs RFA he chooses. 

Check it out:

“Believe me when I say this: I guarantee Dundon has already told Waddell that if there’s an RFA in Montreal the ‘Canes can go after over the next few years, he’s got the green light to do something crazy.”

Now THAT’S petty, but again… WE LOVE IT! 

So… who might Waddell be looking at? Currently they have Charles Hudon, Artturi Lehkonen and Joel Armia as unsigned RFAs, but I can’t imagine that those players will generate much interest. But… wouldn’t you know that Max Domi will hit RFA status next offseason followed by top prospect Jesperi Kotkaniemi the following offseason.