That's really the $110mm question, isn't it?

Nashville can absolutely match. No question about it. They can come up with the $13mm needed to match. It may well cause serious injury to the franchise, but if it becomes a matter of pride, who can say?

I also think that the Flyers have serious fever for Weber. He's signed and he's close enough to taste. I don't doubt that the Flyers would move assets to make things work out and end up with Weber.
- Jsaquella

The problem is Nashville can match but its going to be a nightmare paying Weber all that money and try to field a competitive hockey team. Other players will need new contracts and they also have to pay Mr. Renne some coin.

You know what will make everyone crazy, the Flyers going after RicK Nash!
- stveshdy

I forgot about Nash. The good thing right now is the Penguins haven't improved, Rags lost a key glue player in Prust, not to mention Gaborik will probably miss at least the first 8 weeks of the season, Devils lost Parise, and the Islanders who cares...

If the Flyers have to give up a package of Voracek, Meszaros + for Weber, there really isn't any other ways to fill the vacated holes in FA this season. Many people do not realize that. Weber is a great player, but he can't cover up all the holes that will exist if the Flyers have to trade a package of players for him.

Jagr, and JVR are already gone, if the Flyers trade of Voracek, and perhaps another top 9 forward the depth up front will have been severely compromised.

I admit I'm looking at this transaction short term, acquiring a talent like Weber doesn't come along often, so I have to have an open mind to giving up some talent to get him, I think it will disappoint me slightly because I do not think the Flyers have to give up anything other than the picks. Nashville is bluffing imo.
- PLindbergh31

I wouldn't be so sure that Nashville is bluffing, but even if they are, I'm not willing to risk losing out on Weber because I wasn't willing to work out a trade that could help both sides.

In terms of lost depth at wing, well, also keep in mind that the Flyers will have gotten a Dman who can score 15-20 goals while also being a shutdown D.

They are going for broke, Eddy must be getter near the end and wants to get a cup before he kicks the can. This summer they have been pressing hard
- bigmookalookie

Go to gcobb.com. read article about possible lockout and Mr Snider

no way ed wants to walk away after coming this close unless NSH is ridonculous w/ their demands. jake and mez is a reasonable return for both sides, imo
- isaiah520

That seems reasonable. Hopefully the Flyers can add another forward like Doan or Semin.

- bigmookalookie

consider it dealt with.

consider it dealt with.
- JoeRussomanno

I wouldn't be so sure that Nashville is bluffing, but even if they are, I'm not willing to risk losing out on Weber because I wasn't willing to work out a trade that could help both sides.

In terms of lost depth at wing, well, also keep in mind that the Flyers will have gotten a Dman who can score 15-20 goals while also being a shutdown D.
- bmeltzer

I understand where you are coming from Bill. I guess if Schenn or Couturier aren't part of a deal, the Flyers will be winners here, I think if there never was an offer sheet I would be willing to give up a significant package for Weber, but being that it appears he can be had for what essentially is the equivalent of 4 late round picks that is the preferred route.

the question is which assets. if they could have agreed on those, there would have been a trade already.
- hammarby31

The potentially crippling bonus schedule may well force the Preds to back off the highest of their demands.

I was asking Bill on twitter what the highest he'd go in a Gratton situation. His reply?

Anyone not named Claude Giroux, but on a sliding scale. He even said he'd be willing to go as high as Couturier, with the condition that it would be Couturier alone, with no draft picks staying in the hands of the Preds.

I got the sense that Bill feels the Flyers really want to get this done.

I wouldn't be so sure that Nashville is bluffing, but even if they are, I'm not willing to risk losing out on Weber because I wasn't willing to work out a trade that could help both sides.

In terms of lost depth at wing, well, also keep in mind that the Flyers will have gotten a Dman who can score 15-20 goals while also being a shutdown D.
- bmeltzer

Basically your giving Nashville the power. They can match but if you dont meet their demands (Couturier or Schenn) then there will be no trade. I dont see Nashville working a deal without one of those players. I would rather just keep Weber if they can match which seems to be the case.

The problem is Nashville can match but its going to be a nightmare paying Weber all that money and try to field a competitive hockey team. Other players will need new contracts and they also have to pay Mr. Renne some coin.
- stveshdy

It would be a nightmare, but if it became a point of pride, that can't block out rationality

It would be a nightmare, but if it became a point of pride, that can't block out rationality
- Jsaquella

Thats why you trade players back, like the gratton trade, to soften the blow

The potentially crippling bonus schedule may well force the Preds to back off the highest of their demands.

I was asking Bill on twitter what the highest he'd go in a Gratton situation. His reply?

Anyone not named Claude Giroux, but on a sliding scale. He even said he'd be willing to go as high as Couturier, with the condition that it would be Couturier alone, with no draft picks staying in the hands of the Preds.

I got the sense that Bill feels the Flyers really want to get this done.
- Jsaquella

i think it's safe to say they really want this to get done given the offer. it's no joke. to put it in some context in terms of length, andy reid's been here for 13 years. seems like an eternity.

i will be pissed if they give up coots. absolutely pissed. and if they do give him up, bill better be right, that there's nothing else in the swap.

It would be a nightmare, but if it became a point of pride, that can't block out rationality
- Jsaquella

Rumor has it that the two have talked "once" since the offer sheet was signed doesn't seem that a trade is even close (if we believe the rumor).

I wouldnt be suprised to see a deal with Voracek, Mezy and Read.. If thats what it took. They may take a chance with Laughton and Cousins this year in order to get Weber.
- bigmookalookie

No way

i think it's safe to say they really want this to get done given the offer. it's no joke. to put it in some context in terms of length, andy reid's been here for 13 years. seems like an eternity.

i will be pissed if they give up coots. absolutely pissed. and if they do give him up, bill better be right, that there's nothing else in the swap.
- hammarby31

I'd be pissed as well. But, I fear I'm starting to suffer from Shea fever myself

Who do you think is good then? Seravelli? Leed? Eskin? Panaccio?
- moylander

I think Baicker does a good job trying to actually cover the sport. And she plays, so she understands the rules, which is an advantage she seems to have over the other folks. I thought Bowen was good, but now he's on football. And I thought Moran was good but now he's coaching rowing. I don't think there's much to choose from in the Philadelphia media. Seravelli had promise, but he seems to have come under the thrall of the TMZ- inspired Carchidi and Panotch.

Basically your giving Nashville the power. They can match but if you dont meet their demands (Couturier or Schenn) then there will be no trade. I dont see Nashville working a deal without one of those players. I would rather just keep Weber if they can match which seems to be the case.
- stveshdy

If Nashville matches, it pretty much because they want to avoid the scrutiny from the media, and the criticism from their fans. Their bean counters know this doesn't make sense financially for the stability of their franchise.

I'm of the opinion if they let Weber go for the picks, they will be a 75-80 point team this year, and then if they package the picks for players, draft well, and use their significant cap room to sign free agents, they will be a 100+ point team in short order.

They have a top 5 goaltender in the NHL, that alone right there ensures they will be somewhat competitive.

I'd be pissed as well. But, I fear I'm starting to suffer from Shea fever myself
- Jsaquella

The power is shifting...

Rumor has it that the two have talked "once" since the offer sheet was signed doesn't seem that a trade is even close (if we believe the rumor).
- stveshdy

Let's not forget they talked numerous times before the sheet, too. For Poile to seem serious in his effort, he had to have ownership take a few days to analyze things financially.

i think it's safe to say they really want this to get done given the offer. it's no joke. to put it in some context in terms of length, andy reid's been here for 13 years. seems like an eternity.

i will be pissed if they give up coots. absolutely pissed. and if they do give him up, bill better be right, that there's nothing else in the swap.
- hammarby31

While we value him that much, I don't know of the Preds do. They need outright offensive superstars, not a Coots.

I'd be pissed as well. But, I fear I'm starting to suffer from Shea fever myself
- Jsaquella

i'm starting to lose it a bit myself.

If Nashville matches, it pretty much because they want to avoid the scrutiny from the media, and the criticism from their fans. Their bean counters know this doesn't make sense financially for the stability of their franchise.

I'm of the opinion if they let Weber go for the picks, they will be a 75-80 point team this year, and then if they package the picks for players, draft well, and use their significant cap room to sign free agents, they will be a 100+ point team in short order.

They have a top 5 goaltender in the NHL, that alone right there ensures they will be somewhat competitive.
- PLindbergh31

Eventually we will get an answer and I can't wait to see the press conference when it happens.

I think Baicker does a good job trying to actually cover the sport. And she plays, so she understands the rules, which is an advantage she seems to have over the other folks. I thought Bowen was good, but now he's on football. And I thought Moran was good but now he's coaching rowing. I don't think there's much to choose from in the Philadelphia media. Seravelli had promise, but he seems to have come under the thrall of the TMZ- inspired Carchidi and Panotch.
- bodiva88

Yeah, I got to give Baicker a tip of the hat, too. At the very least, she plays the game regularly, so she understands the way the game works. Carchidi's never been on skates, at least not before he took over on the beat.