Interesting. What is your source? I would have thought $27 millon out of pocket this year (and almost 70 million in 5 years) to one player would cause a much larger debt service alone this year. The size of this debt on the teams' books, when it is only worht 160 million or so is also an issue. From what we do know about the fiscal peformance of this team and the public money that it receives, and the fact that it is banking on increasing its revenue sharing (as stated publicly) this year, I think it is surprising that a team in that kind of fiscal condition would make this deal. But, that is why I do not own a professional sports team.
- Patrickj

well it's not like they're paying $27 million in a single day. they're only paying him $13 mil now and they have around 11 months until the other half of it. yes, it's technically $27 mill in a single calendar year, but they have a year in between the payments.

You have been consistant from the beginning on this point and you were right. I think a lot of people got fooled into thinking that the money was a lot more than it really was. In fact, it is only $500k more than he is making now on the cap. The accelerated bonus scheme adds about $300k a year to the general operating cost in debt service charges.
- spatso

the flyers missing the playoffs really got to me today...

well it's not like they're paying $27 million in a single day. they're only paying him $13 mil now and they have around 11 months until the other half of it. yes, it's technically $27 mill in a single calendar year, but they have a year in between the payments.
- rangerdanger94

I think this is one of those debates that won't be settled for a couple years.

The RFA class, however, is ridiculous. Offer sheets, anyone??!!
- sla6yer

This has been proven to be almost an impossible way to acquire a player.

who is in the RFA next year?
- flyersfan51

Bogosian, Pietrangelo, Shattenkirk, McDonagh, Fowler and Oliver Ekman-Larsson just to name a few.

you don't like Schenn?
- flyersfan51

I do....but prefer him in Blue and White.

absolutely not.
- OrangeBlack27

I agree, if you didn't offer him for Weber, then you shouldn't offer him at all.

i think the OS was a sure sign the big guy is done
- phi1671

Sadly, I believe you are correct.

This has been proven to be almost an impossible way to acquire a player.
- bradleyc4

cant hurt to try.... Wait, thats not true at all. We are all still hurting because of how close we (thought we) were to getting him.

RFA's are for the birds!

Sadly, I believe you are correct.
- bodiva88

Sorry Bo.. but Im disagreeing with you. I dont think its sad at all. Im happy for him if he decides its not possible (a comeback).

the flyers missing the playoffs really got to me today...
- JoeRussomanno

they need a winger for Giroux and a big time D man for Bryz. then i'd be happy. til then, uh oh.

I do....but prefer him in Blue and White.
- Juice

so your true colors are revealed

they need a winger for Giroux and a big time D man for Bryz. then i'd be happy. til then, uh oh.
- flyersfan51

to make the playoffs?

I do....but prefer him in Blue and White.
- Juice

ahhh i see. You'll forget about him once you see JVR play. trust me.

Sorry Bo.. but Im disagreeing with you. I dont think its sad at all. Im happy for him if he decides its not possible (a comeback).
- jak521

I'm not sorry that he's being responsible. I'm sorry it happened to him. I wish things had turned out differently and I really hope he's able to get to a point where he doesn't have bad days rather than the current more bad than good.

to make the playoffs?
- JoeRussomanno

yeah I think so. They have two scoring lines and two shut down lines.... I think they need more scoring and timonen is older and coming off surgery...that's a huge concern.

yeah I think so. They have two scoring lines and two shut down lines.... I think they need more scoring and timonen is older and coming off surgery...that's a huge concern.
- flyersfan51

they have 5 20 goal scorers returning and like two players that could hit that mark this year. They have enough scoring. Timonen is aging but if you decrease his minutes he'll be fine.

I'm in fear that the Flyers will overpay for Bouwmeester. He seems to be the next best defenseman available.

they have 5 20 goal scorers returning and like two players that could hit that mark this year. They have enough scoring. Timonen is aging but if you decrease his minutes he'll be fine.
- JoeRussomanno

I hope you're right.

I'm in fear that the Flyers will overpay for Bouwmeester. He seems to be the next best defenseman available.
- stveshdy

I'd rather have Yandle.

I hope you're right.
- flyersfan51

also lets see what LSchenn can do in a Flyers uniform. I heard a lot of bellyaching about getting Mezaros a couple years ago and he worked out just fine here. We're more than capable of making the playoffs. So we might not win the cup this year, oh well the players need to develop and grow as a cohesive unit. A cohesive unit trumps a roster full of names anyday.

Sorry Bo.. but Im disagreeing with you. I dont think its sad at all. Im happy for him if he decides its not possible (a comeback).
- jak521

Sadly as a fan of Pronger and him playing hockey, it's will sad NOT see him play another game. It's the selfish part of being a fan.
As for him being able to semi walk away from the game somewhat healthy...I'm very happy to see him not make a comeback.

I agree with Bill, that I am not sure this was a wise decision for Nashville. I am also surprised there is not more fall out. I understand, I think correctly, that the Preds have received something like more than $60 million in PUBLIC money (local and state) over a span of years, I think 7 or so. Some of this was in the form of a contract to operate the arena, which they do at a loss. They are also a revenue sharing (NHL Welfare) team, and they have NEVER turned a profit. I know they will say that they had to keep Weber, but if they were not fiscally successful with Weber and Suter in the past (and did not go past the second round in the playoffs), why is it necessary to keep him.

With cities and states struggling, and an outcry over spending public money even for road maintenance, these days, how can this type of deal be justified. The public has not seen a return on its money yet, and the team just dug itself even deeper. I don't get it.
- Patrickj

Public money isn't being given to the Predators so they turn a profit. It's being given to them so they stay in Nashville. And generate money for the local economy and generate jobs in the area.

I'm in fear that the Flyers will overpay for Bouwmeester. He seems to be the next best defenseman available.
- stveshdy

I hope that Weber really was a "this is our one chance to get this one guy we really want" and not "we'll go after decreasingly useful people for ridiculous amounts of money because we're just stupid." I don't think Homer is stupid.

also lets see what LSchenn can do in a Flyers uniform. I heard a lot of bellyaching about getting Mezaros a couple years ago and he worked out just fine here. We're more than capable of making the playoffs. So we might not win the cup this year, oh well the players need to develop and grow as a cohesive unit. A cohesive unit trumps a roster full of names anyday.
- JoeRussomanno

new team, new start...