Problem is this is a LONG TERM financing need..... they need to commit $12-14 million a season for the next 6 seasons to one player who may want to play in Philly more than Nashville.... AND they need to pay a supporting cast to play with him which is something weber has been vocal about. Make no mistake.... its the long-term commitment that will be the issue. Jmo. - moylander
I agree entirely with this assessment. There is no short term problem. If they match it becomes a simple problem of bridge financing and capitalization. The real problem is the long term vision for the team you put on the ice. If Poile can be convinced that dealing Weber is his best option he does a deal. If not, he matches. Remember this is a team that set itself up to resign Suter and Weber, they also put an offer in on Parise. They planned on being a cap team. Because of the cap minimum requirement every team (including an insolvent NJ Devils) could and would take on the Weber contract.
Location: "All train compartments smell vaguely of sh*t. It gets so you don't mind it" Joined: 12.26.2006
Jul 21 @ 11:46 AM ET
I agree entirely with this assessment. There is no short term problem. If they match it becomes a simple problem of bridge financing and capitalization. The real problem is the long term vision for the team you put on the ice. If Poile can be convinced that dealing Weber is his best option he does a deal. If not, he matches. Remember this is a team that set itself up to resign Suter and Weber, they also put an offer in on Parise. They planned on being a cap team. Because of the cap minimum requirement every team (including an insolvent NJ Devils) could and would take on the Weber contract. - spatso
they say they were going to be a cap team, but there actions suggest that they were prepared to lose one of the dmen once rinne signed.
Trading cash for players or agreeing to pay a portion of a player's remaining salary after trading him are forbidden in the new CBA in order to prevent wealthier teams from evading the restrictions of the cap.
You obviously know what you are talking about, and everything above makes complete sense. The one other thing I think they are taking into consideration is protecting their long-term asset.
Here is the change in NHL franchise values since the 2003-04 season:
Pittsburgh Penguins, $264 Million, 161.4%
Montreal Canadiens, $445 Million, 128.2%
Edmonton Oilers, $212 Million, 103.8%
Vancouver Canucks, $300 Million, 102.7%
Washington Capitals, $225 Million, 95.7%
Calgary Flames, $220 Million, 89.7%
Toronto Maple Leafs, $521 Million, 86.1%
New York Rangers, $507 Million, 79.8%
Chicago Blackhawks, $306 Million, 71.9%
Carolina Hurricanes, $169 Million, 69.0%
Buffalo Sabres, $173 Million, 68.0%
Anaheim Ducks, $181 Million, 67.6%
Ottawa Senators, $201 Million, 60.8%
Atlanta Thrashers, $164 Million, 54.7%
Nashville Predators, $163 Million, 46.8%
New Jersey Devils, $181 Million, 46.0%
San Jose Sharks, $211 Million, 41.6%
Boston Bruins, $325 Million, 37.7%
Detroit Red Wings, $336 Million, 35.5%
Florida Panthers, $162 Million, 33.9%
Minnesota Wild, $213 Million, 30.7%
Los Angeles Kings, $232 Million, 20.2%
Tampa Bay Lightning, $174 Million, 16.0%
St. Louis Blues, $157 Million, 12.1%
Philadelphia Flyers, $290 Million, 9.8%
Columbus Blue Jackets, $152 Million, 9.4%
Phoenix Coyotes, $134 Million, -1.5%
New York Islanders, $149 Million, -6.9%
Dallas Stars, $230 Million, -11.2%
Colorado Avalanche, $198 Million, -19.5%
So according to Forbes some franchises devalued, indicating there is risk. Nashville, in a small market, significantly increased in value. Obviously winning, building the fan base, etc, all factored into the increase in value. And obviously Weber and Suter were a part of that. The question is how much the ownership believes that losing Weber will have a ripple affect that will lead to devaluing the franchise.
The more I think about things...the more concerned I get. - TheGreat28
Well done!
You know that Holmgren wants Weber. He understands the deal has to be a win that Nashville can sell to their fans, if not they have no choice but to match. Right now both teams are trying to find something that can work.
The reports are that Holmgren made the offer sheet when Poile asked for Giroux. Also, Poile was talking with other teams about a possible trade. The front loaded money is not a significant factor. In fact, the first payment is not unreasonable to protect the teams most valuable asset.
A deal gets done if it is a good hockey deal for both sides. Otherwise, it is a no brainier and Poile matches.
