The Blues definitely used it as a strategy, especially in the early 90s.
Funny thing with the Petr Nedved offer sheet, it eventually played a big part of the 94 run. The Canucks wanted Brendan Shanahan, but was awarded Craig Janney and a 2nd. Janney refused to report so he was traded back for Jeff Brown, Bret Hedican and Nathan Lafayette.
I wonder who the Canucks took with that 2nd?
The Blues really shit the bed back then and lost FIVE 1st round picks +. (lol, but not really)
That the team was still able to make the playoffs each season is unbelievable, but, then again, this was the pre-cap era and the Blues wildly spent.
Funny that the last Blues OS signed was to Bernier, which was, imo, Larry Pleau being a pissy bitch. We matched Backes' signed OS from Vancouver, but then tried to pry Bernier from you, which Vancouver matched.
Those were some fun years. Two pretty darned good teams back in 93-94. Linden, Bure, Courtnall and Lumme. Hull, Shanahan, Janney and Brown. That's a studly top-3 forwards and top D.
Oh....and f*** Edmonton.
Peace out y'all!!!
I was laughed out of the room for proposing an offer sheet to Lafreniere last year, a 7 year deal in the $6.4M range. The compensation would have been a 1st and 3rd, neither of which the Canucks had at the time.
He looks like he's really going to break out this coming year.
It's all about projecting a player and overpaying him early, but the savings come later in the contract.
Yes! Laffy's got fire.