can't be sure but I would be willing to say there's teams out there willing to shed salary in lieu of a first round pick somewhere.

Edit if anything we've been talking about trading two of our players to them, for two of those picks back. Why wouldn't another team be willing to get picks like that?
- JoeRussomanno

There very well could be quality players available in a trade.

The Fred-Ex of Hockey.
- PT21

The Fred-Ex of Hockey.
- PT21

Fred had talent he just couldn't shut his mouth and play the game to show it.......Danny boy is the type of player that's a dime a dozen.

The initial trade scenario was made w/ other teams in the hunt and no poison pill on the table. If Homer wasn't willing to pull the trigger on that kind of initial deal under those circumstances, why would he pull the trigger on it now (plus throw in MAB) when he's got Poile over the proverbial barrel? The Flyers and the player agent have obviously calculated the risk of a match... and it seems like they both like the chances of the OS getting the job done.
- Tomahawk

Your on fire!!!

Nashville probably already made it very clear to the player and agent what they could and couldn't afford during past negotiations and why... I'm sure that knowledge came into play when they talked strategy w/ Homer on the OS. Homer's getting a lot of the credit for the ruthless and incisive maneuver, but I have a feeling that the agent has an unheralded role in the way it went down.

Weber clearly wanted out of Nashville.
- Tomahawk

I agree about the Agent playing a role in the contract. But I don't agree that Weber clearly wanted out of Nashville. In fact his Agent said recently, that Nashville is home for Weber, and he'd have no problem finishing out his career in Nashville. Moreso what Weber clearly wanted was a long term front laded contract with a chance to win the Cup. And the Flyers clearly have the better ability to offer that then Nashville does. It's far more abut that, then wanting out of Nashville. If wanting out of Nashville was the clear motivation. He plays out the year, and hits Unrestricted Free Agency.

The initial trade scenario was made w/ other teams in the hunt and no poison pill on the table. If Homer wasn't willing to pull the trigger on that kind of initial deal under those circumstances, why would he pull the trigger on it now (plus throw in MAB) when he's got Poile over the proverbial barrel? The Flyers and the player agent have obviously calculated the risk of a match... and it seems like they both like the chances of the OS getting the job done.
- Tomahawk

I guess we just have two different opinions of Holmgren's poker face. Not sure if you had a chance to catch up on all of the posts, but some people on this thread think he would do a reasonable (for the Flyers) deal to guarantee that he gets Weber (the hedge strategy). Count me in this group. Others believe he will call Poile's bluff and try to get Weber just for picks (all in strategy). Sounds like you're in that group. At this point it's all just speculation. We'll know in 4 days where he really stands.

There very well could be quality players available in a trade.
- MJL

If I'm Homer Im spending all weekend seeing what our 4 1sts are worth around the league and reporting back to Poile. It's probably worth more than Voracek and MAB.

The initial trade scenario was made w/ other teams in the hunt and no poison pill on the table. If Homer wasn't willing to pull the trigger on that kind of initial deal under those circumstances, why would he pull the trigger on it now (plus throw in MAB) when he's got Poile over the proverbial barrel? The Flyers and the player agent have obviously calculated the risk of a match... and it seems like they both like the chances of the OS getting the job done.
- Tomahawk

Agree 100%

I'd rather see this team without Weber than without Meszy/Coburn, voracek, mab and 3 picks.

I agree about the Agent playing a role in the contract. But I don't agree that Weber clearly wanted out of Nashville. In fact his Agent said recently, that Nashville is home for Weber, and he'd have no problem finishing out his career in Nashville. Moreso what Weber clearly wanted was a long term front laded contract with a chance to win the Cup. And the Flyers clearly have the better ability to offer that then Nashville does. It's far more abut that, then wanting out of Nashville. If wanting out of Nashville was the clear motivation. He plays out the year, and hits Unrestricted Free Agency.
- MJL

I completely agree with this.

I'd rather see this team without Weber than without Meszy/Coburn, voracek, mab and 3 picks.
- jak521

Is anyone suggesting it would actually take that much?

I'd rather see this team without Weber than without Meszy/Coburn, voracek, mab and 3 picks.
- jak521

What are the 3 picks?

Agree 100%
- MJL

OK, now I don't know where you stand on this either

I thought you were ok with a trade in exchange for no match, but not increasing the trade offer above what was initially offered. Maybe I misunderstood.

Tomahawk - I think you are in the camp of picks or match, no players.

I'm in the camp of make the trade, and marginally increase it if you really have to.

Fuill Disclosure - When playing blackjack, if I have a blackjack and the dealer's showing an ace, if my bet is large I'll take even money. I'm maybe a little more risk-averse. That's why my position is what it is.

If wanting out of Nashville was the clear motivation. He plays out the year, and hits Unrestricted Free Agency.
- MJL

If he waited for UFA, there was the possibility of the new CBA precluding the kind of deal that he was looking for (retirement, front-loaded, bonus-laden).

What are the 3 picks?
- MJL

That was Bill's thought in the blog.

A deal that would send Voracek, Meszaros , one of Bourdon or Gustafsson and two or three of the first-round picks to Nashville for Weber and the return of one or two of the first-round picks may or may not get it done.

That was Bill's thought in the blog.

A deal that would send Voracek, Meszaros , one of Bourdon or Gustafsson and two or three of the first-round picks to Nashville for Weber and the return of one or two of the first-round picks may or may not get it done.
- TheGreat28

Thats a ridiculous offer. Makes our team worse in one fell swoop.

I guess we just have two different opinions of Holmgren's poker face. Not sure if you had a chance to catch up on all of the posts, but some people on this thread think he would do a reasonable (for the Flyers) deal to guarantee that he gets Weber (the hedge strategy). Count me in this group. Others believe he will call Poile's bluff and try to get Weber just for picks (all in strategy). Sounds like you're in that group. At this point it's all just speculation. We'll know in 4 days where he really stands.
- TheGreat28

I'd love to see Homer call Poile's bluff, partly because the Flyers' position is so dominating, and partly because I really wouldn't mind it if NSH matched and all that was accomplished was preventing the Pens and Rangers from having a shot at the prize.

Knowing how good Voracek/Schenn/Couturier are going to be, and knowing the Flyers track-record of success in the late 1st-round, and liking the way the team looks right now, missing out on Weber just wouldn't be that devastating to me.

I'd rather see this team without Weber than without Meszy/Coburn, voracek, mab and 3 picks.
- jak521

Actually, someone earlier had a really good observation and I was unable to comment. Apologies for not giving credit where credit is due.

What would you rather have?

Mesz, Vorachek, MAB and all of your picks.

VS.

Weber and Doan

The point was, they can fit Weber under the cap if Nash doesn't match and no trade is made. OR, with the cash savings from losing Mesz and Vorachek, they can add also Doan.

If he waited for UFA, there was the possibility of the new CBA precluding the kind of deal that he was looking for (retirement, front-loaded, bonus-laden).
- Tomahawk

Exactly. Which is why I said his motivation is to get that contract, not because he wants out of Nashville.

OK, now I don't know where you stand on this either

I thought you were ok with a trade in exchange for no match, but not increasing the trade offer above what was initially offered. Maybe I misunderstood.

Tomahawk - I think you are in the camp of picks or match, no players.

I'm in the camp of make the trade, and marginally increase it if you really have to.

Fuill Disclosure - When playing blackjack, if I have a blackjack and the dealer's showing an ace, if my bet is large I'll take even money. I'm maybe a little more risk-averse. That's why my position is what it is.
- TheGreat28

I am ok with the right deal in exchange for not matching.

That was Bill's thought in the blog.

A deal that would send Voracek, Meszaros , one of Bourdon or Gustafsson and two or three of the first-round picks to Nashville for Weber and the return of one or two of the first-round picks may or may not get it done.
- TheGreat28

I wouldn't give up that much.

I'd love to see Homer call Poile's bluff, partly because the Flyers' position is so dominating, and partly because I really wouldn't mind it if NSH matched and all that was accomplished was preventing the Pens and Rangers from having a shot at the prize.

Knowing how good Voracek/Schenn/Couturier are going to be, and knowing the Flyers track-record of success in the late 1st-round, and liking the way the team looks right now, missing out on Weber just wouldn't be that devastating to me.
- Tomahawk

The best situation is for the Flyers to make a deal that get's them Weber.

Actually, someone earlier had a really good observation and I was unable to comment. Apologies for not giving credit where credit is due.

What would you rather have?

Mesz, Vorachek, MAB and all of your picks.

VS.

Weber and Doan

The point was, they can fit Weber under the cap if Nash doesn't match and no trade is made. OR, with the cash savings from losing Mesz and Vorachek, they can add also Doan.
- TheGreat28

The first. Doan is an old man. And I have zero interest in trading Mezzy given Nashville's situation. Mezzy's shot as the secondary shot on the blue line would be killer.

Thats a ridiculous offer. Makes our team worse in one fell swoop.
- hereticpride

Well, you'll need to explain that to Mr. Meltzer. But please see the post I just made too before completely killing it.

The thing is...we are always looking at one of Holmgren's moves at a time. Yeah, sometimes we'll speculate on next moves.

But I'll personally throw a MEA CULPA about one bit of critisizm that I threw at Holmgren. I really didn't like drafting Laughton when they have very little top 4 defense prospects in the system. I wanted Maata. Now, at that time he probabaly hadn't decided to OS Weber. But...if I knew that the end result would be Weber, Coburn, Mesz, Schenn and Grossman for next several years, well, then my attitude towards Laughton would likely be different.

Exactly. Which is why I said his motivation is to get that contract, not because he wants out of Nashville.
- MJL

You don't lament the loss of your d-partner, tour rivals' facilities, and sign a poison pill you know will put your current employer at a loss if you're content with where you are.