NHL: New Jersey Devils at St. Louis Blues - Source: Imagn

"Not like it’s forbidden": NHL GMs make their feelings known on potential offer sheet drama in upcoming offseason

Modified Apr 03, 2025 23:07 GMT

The utilization of extending an offer sheet to an NHL player has become a rarity among organizations in recent years. A shift may be on the horizon this summer when the period to present offer sheets to restricted free agents begins on Jul. 1 and ends on Dec. 1.

The league’s general managers are weighing their thoughts on the potential uptick in offer sheets this offseason, as Michael Russo and Chris Johnston of The Athletic reported on Thursday.

The New Jersey Devils GM, Tom Fitzgerald, offered his thoughts:

“It was smart and probably an eye-opener. You’re betting on the upside and future with restricted free agents versus you’re betting on the past with unrestricted free agents.”

Jim Nill, the GM of the Dallas Stars, said his organization would be open to extending offer sheets if it is right for the team.

“It’s not like it’s forbidden. There’s a rule that’s there, and some teams use it to their advantage,” Nill said. “Some teams it’s worked for. Some it hasn’t. But we’re open to it.”

NHL: Toronto Maple Leafs at Dallas Stars - Source: Imagn

Nill continued:

“Our job as GMs is to do the best for our organization, and that doesn’t matter whether it’s offer sheets or trades or whatever we’re doing. If there’s an opportunity to improve our team, that’s our job to do it.”

What was once a more common practice in the ‘80s and ‘90s, extending offer sheets has become an outdated technique. Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway were the only two players in 2024 who were tendered offer sheet contracts, both from St. Louis. The Oilers matched neither offer, so the two went to the Blues in exchange for future draft picks.

“They fit in. As much as their play has fit in,” Blues GM Doug Armstrong said of Holloway and Broberg. “It’s been a good fit for us. So, I’m glad we did it. If I had to do it all over again, I would.”

The NHL’s salary cap will steadily rise over the next three seasons, affecting potential movement and possible offer sheet contract negotiations.

Broberg and Holloway Offer Sheet Contracts

Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg joined the St. Louis Blues in August 2024 when the organization presented the restricted free agents with offer sheet contracts.

NHL: Carolina Hurricanes at St. Louis Blues - Source: Imagn

Their previous team, the Edmonton Oilers, had seven days to match the offers to keep the skaters. When Edmonton did not match it, the 22-year-old Holloway and the 23-year-old Broberg signed two-year contracts with St. Louis, respectively. In compensation, the Oilers received a 2025 second-round draft pick for Broberg and a third-round pick for Holloway.

About the author

Sharisse Cohee is an NHL and PWHL journalist at Sportskeeda with an associate degree in Media Communications with an emphasis in Cross-Media Journalism. While earning the degree, Sharisse was the Editor-in-Chief of the campus newspaper and also became the school's resident sports reporter.

Sharisse earned a bachelor's degree in English from Arizona State University's online campus, graduating with magna cum laude honors. Both degrees influenced her career as an NHL and PWHL writer, allowing Sharisse to weave together her passions for writing and sports.

Sharisse was a sports copywriter/editor at The Upper Deck, a trading card company in Southern California, for two and a half years. She wrote creative and informative copy about hockey players and athletes from various sports, printed on the backs of the trading cards.

Her favorite teams are the Anaheim Ducks, because she was born and raised in Southern California, and also the Pittsburgh Penguins because Sidney Crosby is her all-time favorite NHL player.

When not writing about hockey, Sharisse loves fantasy sports. She plays in hockey, basketball and football fantasy leagues. She lives in San Diego, California, so has the luxury of going to the beach often. She also enjoys working out and watching true crime documentaries, game shows, and binge-worthy TV series.

Know More

Wayne Gretzky’s wife Janet responds to critics questioning his loyalty to Canada, Bobby Orr's support following 4 Nations drama