Tkachuk last season actually required a trade from Calgary and while it hasn't happened, he is currently an RFA without a contract and teams are definitely sniffing around.
The New Jersey Devils missed out on the opportunity for Johnny Gaudreau and the team is desperate to start winning now while their core is young and on great contracts. There are rumours going around that the Devils might be willing to offer sheet Tkachuk to a very large deal.
With the departure of Gaudreau, no one quite knows what the Flames are going to be next season, but if they believe they can still compete, they can always match the offer from the Devils, but if they think that a rebuild is needed, taking the compensation is definitely a jumpstart to a rebuild.
If an offer sheet is made to Tkachuk, he is going to be offered anywhere between 8.5-11 million per season, depending on how desperate the Devils are, and according to our friends at capfriendly.com, if he is offered between $8,402,976 - $10,503,720, the Flames would receive 2 first round picks, 1 second and 1 third in compensation, but if he is offered $10,503,721+, the compensation is 4 first round picks, which at the moment only the Lightning and Panthers are unable to offer this kind of offer sheet.
If the Flames lose both Gaudreau and Tkachuk this season, this may be the quickest ''cup contender to bottom feeder'' we've ever seen.
POLL | ||
Should the Devils offer sheet Tkachuk? | ||
yes | 360 | 70.9 % |
no | 148 | 29.1 % |
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