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SPORTS Thursday 4 July 2019

In this March 10, 2019, file photo, Winnipeg Jets defenseman
Jacob Trouba (8) skates with the puck during the first period
of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals in
Washington.
Associated Press
NHL’s restricted free

agents have proven

to be untouchables

By LARRY LAGE sense for a lot of teams.
AP Hockey Writer Montreal took a chance,
Some of the NHL’s best, forcing a notoriously frugal
young players are avail- owner to make a deci-
able. sion and he matched. But
Technically. as long as you have the
Mitch Marner, Brayden cap space, you have to
Point and Jacob Trouba match.”
are just a few of the restrict- If Carolina chose not to
ed free agents in a bumper match the offer for Aho,
crop. the Canadiens would have
Every team in the league given up a draft pick in
would like to add any of the first, second and third
those players this sum- rounds. If Montreal offered
mer. However, it would be a little more money on the
a big surprise in the NHL if offer sheet, it risked losing
any team tries to sign them an additional first-round se-
A general view of New National Stadium is seen during a media tour Wednesday, July 3, 2019, in away. The Montreal Cana- lection. And if the franchise
Tokyo. The stadium will host the opening and closing ceremonies at the 2020 Summer Olympics. diens became the first fran- offered Aho an average of
Associated Press chise in six years to extend at least $10,568,590 over
Tokyo Olympic stadium 90% complete; an offer sheet to a restrict- the course of the contract,
ed free agent earlier this it would have lost four first-
opening set for December week, hoping the Carolina round picks if the Hurri-
Hurricanes would pass on canes refused to pay Aho
matching the $42 million, that much.
By STEPHEN WADE five-year deal for Sebas- Agents of restricted free
AP Sports Writer tian Aho. Less than 24 hours agents attempt to use the
TOKYO (AP) — Tokyo’s new National Stadium is 90% completed with the opening of the later, Hurricanes general possibility of offer sheets
Olympics just over a year away. manager Don Waddell an- in negotiations. Teams,
Media were given a glimpse inside the $1.25 billion stadium on Wednesday. It is located nounced the franchise was meanwhile, know offer
in central Tokyo and will be the scene of the opening ceremony on July 24, 2020. It will going to keep its star for- sheets are extremely un-
also be the venue for track and field and some soccer. ward . Drafting and devel- common and they seem
Organizers say they are planning events in December to inaugurate the new stadium, oping players is what NHL to have the power in talks.
which was designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. teams attempt to do well That is true particularly
The new stadium design was first awarded to British architect Zaha Hadid, but eventu- as they chase the Stanley when players don’t have
ally the futuristic design was scrapped by the government as the cost soared toward Cup, certainly in the sal- arbitration rights.
$2 billion. ary cap era. And, that is “As an RFA you just want to
Organizers say about 45,000 of the 60,000 permanent seats have been installed, and one of the reasons teams be paid what you feel your
the grass surface should be down by the end of the month. The all-weather track will be are reluctant to extend of- value is and the offer sheet
installed in August and September. fer sheets to restricted free is one of a few points of le-
Including the stadium, Tokyo is building eight new venues for the Olympics. The other agents. verage you can use,” Win-
35 venues for the games are defined as “temporary” or older buildings that are being “The way the system is set nipeg Jets center Andrew
reused, which Tokyo organizers say has saved billions. The other centerpiece for the up with offer sheets, it’s Copp said. “It’s more im-
games will be the Olympic Village for more than 10,000 athletes being built on the edge too punitive because of portant to have arbitration
of Tokyo Bay. the draft picks you have to rights, but you only have so
The Summer Olympics don’t come cheaply, and even existing venues need extensive give up,” said sports agent many options as a restrict-
renovation when the Games come to town. Exact costs — what are, and are not Olym- Kurt Overhardt, who repre- ed player so it can be frus-
pic expenses — are difficult to sort out. But Tokyo is spending at least $20 billion to get sents Trouba. “The record trating not being able to
ready, 70% of which is taxpayers’ money.q has shown it doesn’t make use one of your options.”q