Canes are taking more risks than the Habs IMO on KK and an unprotected 1st even if they are considered a playoff team. It was easier for them to take that risk cause they have more expiring contracts after next year than we do.
I honestly don't think they do this offer sheet if we didn't offer sheet Aho. Am I worried that KK will become a regret like Sergachev? It's possible but Sergachev can skate and stand on his feet.
Will KK get stronger? Yes. Will KK improve? Yes. Where will he top out at? There is no hockey expert that can predict that accurately! Nobody has an crystal ball that predicts the future.
Agree on the OS... but that's well known part of business. Relationships matter, and if you play with fire you better damn well make sure you've got your house protected.
I have no issue with a GM using offer sheets, but to do so then leave yourself so exposed is either stupid or intentional (frankly, I would bet it's the latter in this case... MB clearly didn't believe in the player & wouldn't surprise me if he was hoping for an offer sheet to materialize to buffer his own ego at explaining the draft/development failure of another top 3 pick).
JKO was one of our best players in the transition game... yes, he struggles with balance in contact, but that's more a strength and style of play issue than a skating one... this narrative is way overblown.
MB has a pretty piss poor track record in assessing young players... it's always a speculative process, but some teams/gms are far better at it. That's an area where he is far worse than mediocre, he's near the bottom of the pile in that regard... which is highly problematic for a guy who came in preaching "build via he draft" lol