Apparently some around the NHL didn’t like Bob Clarke extending an offer sheet to Ryan Kesler.

“I thought the DiPietro deal was the height of stupidity but this Kesler deal tops it. This is going to be ridiculously inflationary, even in the cap system we have. It’s crazy.” said one NHL GM.

”We’re starting a whole new inflation spiral. It’s going to cost every team in this league. It’s bad for all us. It’s really bad business.” Said another GM.

Here is some of what Bob Clarke said in return

“I don’t give a (expletive deleted) if nobody likes me, I could care less,” Clarke told TSN. “But they shouldn’t be getting mad at me, I didn’t put the (offer sheet) rule in the collective bargaining agreement. If they’re mad, they should call Gary Bettman and complain to him. Get mad at Gary Bettman. He’s in charge of the rules, not me. I didn’t realize there were some rules we’re not allowed to use…
It’s a few days to training camp, the player wasn’t signed and we have a need for that type of player in our organization. Why wouldn’t I try it? Everyone says it’s causing salaries to go up. That’s crap. We’ve all got salary caps and if it is true it drives up salaries, well, doesn’t Boston signing (Zdeno) Chara to a $7 million deal or Chicago signing (Martin) Havlat to a $6 million deal drive up salaries, too? Give me a break.”

Thats $7.5 mill for Chara, but whats half a mill.
I have to agree with Clarke on this one. If the offer sheet is such a bad thing, then get rid of it. I do agree the amount at 1.9 is a bit much, but Clarke sees something in him. Apparently Clarke tried to trade for Kesler earlier in the summer and did notify Nonis he might tender an offer sheet for him. Because every team needs 9 centers, right?