New rule idea, opinions requested

[Rob]

Disclaimer - This is a proposal/idea for some future season, don't be concerned about this years rules changing.

I'm wondering what you all would think about adding a new twist to the league:  Offer Sheets.  This is just an idea which I haven't ironed through yet, but here's how I envision it working:

- Any player entering RFA status is eligible for an Offer Sheet.  This is a contract offered by another team. 
- An Offer Sheet must be offered at a minimum 20% above the players extension value.
- The current team has 72 hours to match the offer and keep the player or else he goes to the team that gave the Offer Sheet.
- Offer sheets must be submitted during the Extension Period and can be issued for any RFA that has not been offered an extension AND up to 72 hours after a RFA has been offered an extension.
- The ability to extend players year-round is eliminated. All extensions must be done during the Extension Period (Apri-Jun) - I can't think of any other way to do this.
- Players being extended prior to their final contract year are NOT eligible for Offer Sheets.
- Prospect Discount eligible RFA's are NOT eligible for Offer Sheets.

This would add a way to steal players from each-other... intrigued?  Or at the very least, drive up the costs on other teams at the risk of taking on a big contract.  And it adds incentive to extend early, with more uncertainty.  What do you all think?  I'm just throwing those rules out there since they seem to make sense.  The timing and all that is subject to change.  Some may not like the elimination of year-round extensions.  Maybe someone has an idea that would allow us to keep that.  I'll keep thinking too. 

If you think this is a good idea, let me know if there's any elements that I'm not considering that may need to be changed.  If you think it's a bad idea, let me know that too...

** Another idea, instead of giving the current team 72 hours to match and keep - give the current team 72 hours to either relinquish the player OR enter an FA style bidding war with the team that's submitting an Offer Sheet. 

[jmtrops]

It would be ok if we did it like the NFL. If a team signs a player to offer sheet and gets the player then they have to give the other team a draft pick equal to the players PR. top 15 player is a first round pick or something like that.

[snugerud]

i really like this idea , because it will eliminate the cheapo extensions on some players that happen to have 2 years in a row where they have a couple injuries. 

I dont like the bidding style ,  i think if a team is going to extend an offer to a player that they know could be matched, they need to make their best offer first or it will get matched. 

The prospects being exempt is a must otherwise you drive the value of them to non existent. 

[Rob]

It would be ok if we did it like the NFL. If a team signs a player to offer sheet and gets the player then they have to give the other team a draft pick equal to the players PR. top 15 player is a first round pick or something like that.

Not a bad idea.  Either have the other team send a pick or add supplemental round picks (in between rounds).  A supplement to the supplemental.....

[Rob]

It would be ok if we did it like the NFL. If a team signs a player to offer sheet and gets the player then they have to give the other team a draft pick equal to the players PR. top 15 player is a first round pick or something like that.

If the other team has to give up a pick it may prevent the system from being used much.  That's why I'm thinking that additional picks might be better.  To compensate the team that's losing a player without punishing the team that gave the offer sheet.

[snugerud]

Not a bad idea.  Either have the other team send a pick or add supplemental round picks (in between rounds).  A supplement to the supplemental.....

how about instead of draft picks as compensation,  the offer extending team owes 10% of cap space to the team regardless if they are successful or not.  It should cost something to make that pitch otherwise we could end up in Free Agency 2nd edition. 

[Rob]

how about instead of draft picks as compensation,  the offer extending team owes 10% of cap space to the team regardless if they are successful or not.  It should cost something to make that pitch otherwise we could end up in Free Agency 2nd edition.

It's already costing them at least 20% above market value.  Adding more of a monetary cost to it could dissuade people from doing it.

[Rob]

Although, given the current cap climate I would imagine it's going to be the poor stealing from the rich for the most part.  It's not like teams like Vancouver, St Louis, Anaheim etc could afford to match much.  So maybe that 10% tax wouldn't be so cumbersome. 

[Rob]

Another thought - should it be limited?  Like, 1 per team per year?  Cause a team like Vegas right now with 63m in the bank could cause some real damage to a contender if he can go crazy with this system.

[Rob]

Just going to add to my proposed rules as we go along:

- Any player entering RFA status is eligible for an Offer Sheet.  This is a contract offered by another team. 
- An Offer Sheet must be offered at a minimum 20% above the players extension value.
- The current team has 72 hours to match the offer and keep the player or else he goes to the team that gave the Offer Sheet.
- Offer sheets must be submitted during the Extension Period and can be issued for any RFA that has not been offered an extension AND up to 72 hours after a RFA has been offered an extension.
- The ability to extend players year-round is eliminated. All extensions must be done during the Extension Period (Apri-Jun) - I can't think of any other way to do this.
- Players being extended prior to their final contract year are NOT eligible for Offer Sheets.
- Prospect Discount eligible RFA's are NOT eligible for Offer Sheets.

- Draft pick compensation or tax?
- Teams may issue X Offer Sheets per season
- Once an RFA has been issued an offer sheet, no other team may submit an offer sheet for that player.