Non-Bruins fan here, but Boston can, and absolutely matches though...they can go over the cap in the offseason, so they'd simply turn around and do what they'll inevitably have to do anyway, which is trim a couple of contracts (Forbort? Grzelcyk? Hall?). Obviously it stings a bit, but they absolutely match this.

As for Laf? Go ahead and OS him. You're likely looking at a Kotkaniemi type offer to get him to accept and the Rangers to not match, which means you've gotta get your 3rd rounder in 2024 back from Chicago. After that? Well...are you sure you've improved enough (without Swayman) to not be a lotto team again?

The rangers would absolutely not be able to match that contract. They' have under 12 milllion in cap space to sign 4 forwards, a defenceman (including miller), and a goalie. If they match they can't fill out a roster.

Lol sharks PASS

Sharks laugh. Not even close and totally nonsensical for the sharks to add ANOTHER LD while retaining nearly half.

I mean, you're kicking Joseph out the door to make some cap space...why can't the Rangers do something similar? Bye bye Barclay?

Goodrow's contract would be much harder to move and i'm not relying on the sens' ability to move joseph in order to acquire lafreniere.

Rags are contenders right now. Better to spend draft capital dumping a bad contract than losing a young asset for almost no return (Just referencing the OS threat that you're tossing out there).

If you're simply trading for him, fine...Dach trade last year is probably a reasonable comparison (13th OA+3rd), though Laf still has more upside so I'd imagine the Rangers would want more.

Rangers say not even close but keep dreaming. And if you want to now threaten an offer sheet like a child, have at it and good luck.

Lmao "Offer sheet like a child"