Your mostly right. We know the Rangers, Canucks and a few other teams had discussions with Weber's agent. The teams were talking with Poile as well. Holmgren had to fear that one team would have offered Poile his ideal offer and a deal could have been drawn up and filed with the NHL office within an hour.

Most people seem to think that Holmgren pays less because he got the offer sheet signed. I think it is a little different. He knows he short circuited the negotiations, it stopped any discussions Nashville was having with other teams. So, perhaps, there is some obligation to mend a few fences and right the relationship with Poile. The silence is a great sign that something positive is happening. But, he does not dare offer anything less than what was being offered before he dropped the offer sheet.
- spatso

Tap dancing around it. I think they're past mending fences. Holmgren went past that already. An Offer Sheet means war. The Flyers are attacking Nashville with a full frontal assault. And they even told them they were doing it before they did it.

In my humble opinion, these GIF's are getting out of hand.
- MJL

GIFSoup

I honestly believe if Weber was indeed available for trade (which I'm not even sure about that) and if the Flyers truly want him at all costs (outside of trading G) this trade would have been consumated before the offer sheets. So "yes" I do believe the Flyers are willing to lose Shea Weber.
- ravishingone

Good point there. I would have to agree.

GIFSoup
- Philly1980

The nightmare scenario for Nashville isn’t that they match the offer sheet and then Weber refuses to play because that seems incredibly unlikely. The real nightmare scenario is that they match the offer sheet and then three or four years from now — after they’ve already paid him a large chunk of the contract because of it’s frontloaded nature — he asks to be traded.



This was taken from an article on prohockeytalk.com. This would be a crippling and very real situation for the preds if they match.
- Just5

That wouldn't be a nightmare for Nashville at all. They would've had Weber for 4 years. And with a large percentage of salary already paid to the player. As well over 50% of the 110M is paid out already. And the player signed to a Cap freindly deal, with reasonable salary, and 10 years remaining on it. His value would be immense in a trade. And they could get a King's ransom for him. They miss the boat badly on that one.

That situation would be a far better situation then the one they are in now.

Tap dancing around it. I think they're past mending fences. Holmgren went past that already. An Offer Sheet means war. The Flyers are attacking Nashville with a full frontal assault. And they even told them they were doing it before they did it.
- MJL

I think that is where I see it differently. I am certain that Holmgren has been very careful to assure Poile that they have not declared war on Nashville. Rather he was just trying to ensure that Weber did not sign an offer sheet with another team or get traded to another team. Holmgren has confirmed that Weber is an incredibly valuable asset by his simple action. Now how much is it worth to Holmgren for Nashville not to match? Holmgren understands he needs to make Nashville owners and Poile happy with their deciding not to match.

I think that is where I see it differently. I am certain that Holmgren has been very careful to assure Poile that they have not declared war on Nashville. Rather he was just trying to ensure that Weber did not sign an offer sheet with another team or get traded to another team. Holmgren has confirmed that Weber is an incredibly valuable asset by his simple action. Now how much is it worth to Holmgren for Nashville not to match? Holmgren understands he needs to make Nashville owners and Poile happy with their deciding not to match.
- spatso

That's like punching someone in the face and saying, oh I'm sorry, did that hurt you? Make no mistake about it. Regardless of the outcome. This situation is going to damage to the Nashville franchise. It's just a question of how much damage.

I think that is where I see it differently. I am certain that Holmgren has been very careful to assure Poile that they have not declared war on Nashville. Rather he was just trying to ensure that Weber did not sign an offer sheet with another team or get traded to another team. Holmgren has confirmed that Weber is an incredibly valuable asset by his simple action. Now how much is it worth to Holmgren for Nashville not to match? Holmgren understands he needs to make Nashville owners and Poile happy with their deciding not to match.
- spatso

I agreee with this.

I honestly believe if Weber was indeed available for trade (which I'm not even sure about that) and if the Flyers truly want him at all costs (outside of trading G) this trade would have been consumated before the offer sheets. So "yes" I do believe the Flyers are willing to lose Shea Weber.
- ravishingone

Which is why I been saying for the last four days. Hey Nashville match or dont.

Good point there. I would have to agree.
- MJL

There is little doubt in my mind that before free agency Poile really had no intentions of losing Weber. However, with the landscape of free agency and the signing bonus money being thrown out coupled with the deadline of the CBA, I think things changed quickly.

Weber's agent was smart enough to realize his client needs to get paid right now. I do believe he had contact with other teams besides the Flyers. I do believe Homer did discuss a trade proposal with Weber, and out of respect gave Poile his last best offer. However, they couldn't come to common ground, hence the offer sheet because the Flyers are using the mechanisms created in this CBA which probably won't be available in the next CBA to their advantage. Again, I just don't see how the deal changes from the Flyers side because Poile states the Preds can match. Of course, I could be wrong.

That's like punching someone in the face and saying, oh I'm sorry, did that hurt you? Make no mistake about it. Regardless of the outcome. This situation is going to damage to the Nashville franchise. It's just a question of how much damage.
- MJL

Exactly. Nashville is going to take a hit either way.

Which is why I been saying for the last four days. Hey Nashville match or dont.
- stveshdy

Where you and I potentially disgree is I do believe the Flyers have an offer on the table to Poile for players and draft picks. I think they will give Poile the option of taking just the 4 first rounders, or the last best offer Homer gave him before the offer sheet. Just my opinion.

There is little doubt in my mind that before free agency Poile really had no intentions of losing Weber. However, with the landscape of free agency and the signing bonus money being thrown out coupled with the deadline of the CBA, I think things changed quickly.

Weber's agent was smart enough to realize his client needs to get paid right now. I do believe he had contact with other teams besides the Flyers. I do believe Homer did discuss a trade proposal with Weber, and out of respect gave Poile his last best offer. However, they couldn't come to common ground, hence the offer sheet because the Flyers are using the mechanisms created in this CBA which probably won't be available in the next CBA to their advantage. Again, I just don't see how the deal changes from the Flyers side because Poile states the Preds can match. Of course, I could be wrong.
- ravishingone

Again, I have to agree totally. Were on the same page.

That wouldn't be a nightmare for Nashville at all. They would've had Weber for 4 years. And with a large percentage of salary already paid to the player. As well over 50% of the 110M is paid out already. And the player signed to a Cap freindly deal, with reasonable salary, and 10 years remaining on it. His value would be immense in a trade. And they could get a King's ransom for him. They miss the boat badly on that one.

That situation would be a far better situation then the one they are in now.
- MJL

I think that situation stagnates the preds. They are just delaying the inevitable rebuild

Where you and I potentially disgree is I do believe the Flyers have an offer on the table to Poile for players and draft picks. I think they will give Poile the option of taking just the 4 first rounders, or the last best offer Homer gave him before the offer sheet. Just my opinion.
- ravishingone

I think that is true also.

Where you and I potentially disgree is I do believe the Flyers have an offer on the table to Poile for players and draft picks. I think they will give Poile the option of taking just the 4 first rounders, or the last best offer Homer gave him before the offer sheet. Just my opinion.
- ravishingone

I think that situation stagnates the preds. They are just delaying the inevitable rebuild
- Just5

The point is that they could get far more for Weber in that scenario, then they could in the current situation.

Where you and I potentially disgree is I do believe the Flyers have an offer on the table to Poile for players and draft picks. I think they will give Poile the option of taking just the 4 first rounders, or the last best offer Homer gave him before the offer sheet. Just my opinion.
- ravishingone

I would not count that out. I just think Homer is done with the games and will take the risk of losing Weber. I believe he doesnt think they can match and thats why the offer sheet was done the way it was b/c even if they do it will hamstring the Preds for a very long time and keep Weber in Nashville.

Again, I have to agree totally. Were on the same page.
- MJL

I'm anxious to see how it plays out, as mentioned before I'm just amazed at the total silence on both sides. It's going to be a long couple of days until Wednesday.

I would not count that out. I just think Homer is done with the games and will take the risk of losing Weber. I believe he doesnt think they can match and thats why the offer sheet was done the way it was b/c even if they do it will hamstring the Preds for a very long time.
- stveshdy

Agree with you 100%.

I would not count that out. I just think Homer is done with the games and will take the risk of losing Weber. I believe he doesnt think they can match and thats why the offer sheet was done the way it was b/c even if they do it will hamstring the Preds for a very long time.
- stveshdy

I don't believe that Holmgren thinks they can't match. He knows they can. He just made it as difficult as he could for them to do so. Hoping that it would push them in the direction of accepting his trade offer.
If he felt they couldn't match. He wouldn't make a trade offer.

I don't believe that Holmgren thinks they can't match. He knows they can. He just made it as difficult as he could for them to do so. Hoping that it would push them in the direction of accepting his trade offer.
If he felt they couldn't match. He wouldn't make a trade offer.
- MJL

I think he tried to make a trade offer but when Nashville wouldnt budge the next best thing is to offer him a sheet where financially Nashville will struggle short term and long term to match. Wouldn't surprise me if he doesnt offer another trade at this point and lets Nashville decide the fate.

I think he tried to make a trade offer but when Nashville wouldnt budge the next best thing is to offer him a sheet where financially Nashville will struggle short term and long term. Wouldn't surprise me if he doesnt offer another trade at this point.
- stveshdy

My only thinking is that Holmgren may want a couple of the first round picks back. You need that young talent coming in if your going to be a max Cap team.

I'm anxious to see how it plays out, as mentioned before I'm just amazed at the total silence on both sides. It's going to be a long couple of days until Wednesday.
- ravishingone

This waiting is killing me. In my world Weber was the ONLY prize worth pursuing. Not Suter, NOT Parise, Ryan, Nash, or any of the other over paid, over priced (from a trade standpoint) players who were supposedly available.

Weber is the only one worth the house. Weber is a generational talent. You can replace forwards and offensive depth, but you might be able to get the best defenseman in the world just entering his prime years, maybe once in a franchises history.