He's a tool because he was wrong for once and because he's super respected in the media and has a job we all wish we had?

Yeah, what a tool.
- Juice

Super respected? Is there a Wiki entry or something I can reference?

Look, his comments immediately following the Philly OS were overtly subjective and slanted against the Preds. On top of that, TSN chose to leave them prominently displayed all weekend long. Then we match and nothing from Dreger on TSN all day. Maybe he had the day off.

You have your opinion and I have mine. He remains a tool in mine.

Interesting. I used to follow him on twitter until it was obvious he is pretty clueless about hockey. He actually tweeted about how the Flyers are not going to be able to win shootouts in the playoffs, and then when was called out on that, he blamed it on his contacts or eye drops or something.

I'd challenge you to find one Flyers fan who believes he is a good reporter. Because I sure as hell don't know any.
- feelingkettle

We will have to agree to disagree then... Quite a few of my friends like his work, most of family (that live in S. Jersey) feel the same... a few friends of mine in the newspaper business in the Delaware Valley call him one of the more respected journalists in the area...

Everyone makes a mistake occasionally, but I have found his writing excellent over the years.

Super respected? Is there a Wiki entry or something I can reference?

Look, his comments immediately following the Philly OS were overtly subjective and slanted against the Preds. On top of that, TSN chose to leave them prominently displayed all weekend long. Then we match and nothing from Dreger on TSN all day. Maybe he had the day off.

You have your opinion and I have mine. He remains a tool in mine.
- blueline

What he said...

- I love my hometown, but only in Philly would you see a column titled “Flyers may not have won in Weber dealings, but they didn’t lose either.” Really… it’s in today’s Philadelphia daily News… I’m not kidding… here's the link. Frank Ceravalli is a good writer and I do understand playing to the base... but this is a bit over the top. I’ll stick with Sam Carchidi for my Flyer news.

Do yourself a favor and dont listen to either of these clowns

Congrats, Nashville. It truely is a tremendous act that ownership followed through with. I am extremely disappointed that the did match. Its not often that you can add a defensive talent the caliber of Shea to a very young and talented group of forwards like the Flyers have. Even if that came at the expence of another franchise. But, with that said, The Preds have built a very well run franchise that has suceeded in a very non-traditional market because the fans have stuck with them. They have been patient as the talent, that has been cultivated by a fantastic scouting department, has grown and matured. You are the fans that deserve kudos that made the ownership match. Good Luck.

Could be Preds knew that at least one OS was coming (Philly) and decided to let them set the standard. Maybe it's what Shea's agents demanded? IE: "We want to know what the best is that's out there. If you want to match after we find that top offer, so be it." (They probably felt Preds would not match, hence the agents' ridiculous public comments during the 6-day wait.)

As to why wait, well that's pretty easy. You are given the time so why not take it? The team has the time to examine the offer and its ramifications very carefully. All prominent decision makers are included - CEO, COO, owners, GM, Asst GM, attorneys, etc. which is not too unusual considering you are about to spend over1/10th of a billion dollars. How involved do you think Snider was in the Philly offer sheet?

Then again, maybe it was payback to the Flyers. Let 'em sweat it out.
- blueline

I am just trying to point out a contradiction between "deep pockets", and 'willing to sign all 3 star players' and 'whatever it takes' etc, and the actions that were actually observed.

If (as you claim) they knew OS was coming/might be coming (and surely they could not have been surprised for someone like Weber that is always a possibility), and if (as Poile and Wilson have claimed) they were very eager and capable of signing both Suter and Weber, then once one is gone, signing the other should be a no-brainer. You have money, you have desire, you are prepared.

How long do you think it will take Snider to match if say he really has plans and resources to sign both Couturier and Giroux and loses 1 and the other is offer-sheeted? I would guess a day.

My guess is that your organization has swallowed a quite bitter pill. It may not be as bitter as the alternative, but is very bitter nonetheless, and much more bitter than public pronouncements to the contrary. They are cash strapped in the short run but expect long run finances to be much better. Nothing else computes. Just having a billionaire owner does not mean deep pockets. We had a billionaire (sole owner even) in town two decades ago who was a skinflint and who allowed a contending team to break apart because he would not pay talent what it deserved (Norman Braman).

Having said that, I admire the Preds, and I wish we could offer-sheet some of your staff that draft and develop your D-men. Thanks for reading my long posts.

What kills me is how HB's own Bill Meltzer, and all of the really ultra-super-smart and business-savvy Flyers fans are predicting bankruptcy for the Preds because of the Weber deal.

Like a bunch of billionaires would impulsively match the offer sheet without thinking about long-term business ramifications.

Boy, Pens fans are right: Flyers fans are a bunch of freaking sore losers!
- wings-suck

copy and paste this (or put it in your location):

"It is no longer the Flyers' concern"--Bill Meltzer, 7-25-12

I just like spelling it out to frustrate D...it gets in her head...

C O L A I A C O V O!!!!!
- HardCorePredFan316

GAHHHHHH!!!!

Actually, after this draft I don't know which one makes me nuttier. Carlo Colaiacovo or Teuvo Teravainen.

So he doesn't end up some place he doesn't want to be. Less about not being traded at all than it is about having control.
- Double_A

he gave up his control when he signed that offer sheet...

he has his money, his agents will get paid, where he ends up is no longer in his hands

he gave up his control when he signed that offer sheet...

he has his money, his agents will get paid, where he ends up is no longer in his hands
- b0s0o1

Yeah, I know why Poile wouldn't want to give up control. The question was why would Weber want one though. I'd be surprised if agents didn't ask for NTC's on any even moderately significant player. Doesn't mean they'll get it, but why not try to get one.

I would give Weber a limited NTC, and it would be contingent on him never asking for a trade. The moment he initiates the trade request the NTC is null and void.

I don't think we'll have to worry about that for quite a while though. Sounds like they've been in contact with Shea and he's committed.

I would give Weber a limited NTC, and it would be contingent on him never asking for a trade. The moment he initiates the trade request the NTC is null and void.

I don't think we'll have to worry about that for quite a while though. Sounds like they've been in contact with Shea and he's committed.
- Predaceous

To me you dont give a NTC unless you have to. The Predators dont have to with Weber, he is already signed. You only do that if the player is looking for one and that might be the deal breaker on that player staying or moving on. Weber is a Predator for as long as the Predators want him to be one. If he wanted a NTC he should not have signed an offer sheet like that.

I would give Weber a limited NTC, and it would be contingent on him never asking for a trade. The moment he initiates the trade request the NTC is null and void.

I don't think we'll have to worry about that for quite a while though. Sounds like they've been in contact with Shea and he's committed.
- Predaceous

I am so friggin tired of these local radio people. They are trying to make a big deal out of Shea not being in Nashville today in person. Give me a break, folks he aint from around here!!!!!! It is his off season and he is where he grew up.

To me you dont give a NTC unless you have to. The Predators dont have to with Weber, he is already signed. You only do that if the player is looking for one and that might be the deal breaker on that player staying or moving on. Weber is a Predator for as long as the Predators want him to be one. If he wanted a NTC he should not have signed an offer sheet like that.
- Gunner Staal

Bingo

I am so friggin tired of these local radio people. They are trying to make a big deal out of Shea not being in Nashville today in person. Give me a break, folks he aint from around here!!!!!! It is his off season and he is where he grew up.
- im4preds

No kidding. You know it's beautiful in Sicamous. I know where I'd be.

They are making mountains of molehills. Whose giving the beef? Plaster?

I am so friggin tired of these local radio people. They are trying to make a big deal out of Shea not being in Nashville today in person. Give me a break, folks he aint from around here!!!!!! It is his off season and he is where he grew up.
- im4preds

I wonder if any of them were listening to the conference call. It sounded like Weber and the Preds kinda played Philly.

"Its the business side of it. We utilized the CBA the best way we could. It worked out great. I love it in Nashville" -- Weber on signing OS

Also

@kausatoday On a conference call, Weber seems very comfortable and content to be back with the Predators.

Other items revealed. The Preds have been in contact with Doan. Trotz and Doan are friends. Fisher and Doan are friends. The Preds think they'll be high on his list if he decides not to play in Phoenix.

Why is Weber not listed on the roster on Preds website? Is that some kind of NHL-controlled thing?

I wonder if any of them were listening to the conference call. It sounded like Weber and the Preds kinda played Philly.



Also



Other items revealed. The Preds have been in contact with Doan. Trotz and Doan are friends. Fisher and Doan are friends. The Preds think they'll be high on his list if he decides not to play in Phoenix.
- Predaceous

Why is Weber not listed on the roster on Preds website? Is that some kind of NHL-controlled thing?
- blueline

They're reviewing it in Toronto.

Congrats, Nashville. It truely is a tremendous act that ownership followed through with. I am extremely disappointed that the did match. Its not often that you can add a defensive talent the caliber of Shea to a very young and talented group of forwards like the Flyers have. Even if that came at the expence of another franchise. But, with that said, The Preds have built a very well run franchise that has suceeded in a very non-traditional market because the fans have stuck with them. They have been patient as the talent, that has been cultivated by a fantastic scouting department, has grown and matured. You are the fans that deserve kudos that made the ownership match. Good Luck.
- KINGKENZO

Class... thanks!

I wonder if any of them were listening to the conference call. It sounded like Weber and the Preds kinda played Philly.



Also



Other items revealed. The Preds have been in contact with Doan. Trotz and Doan are friends. Fisher and Doan are friends. The Preds think they'll be high on his list if he decides not to play in Phoenix.
- Predaceous

If they 'played Philly', it was a silly ploy. The only thing they got from the Flyers was six days of offseason.

There are diehards everywhere, but a Kings fan giving it to a Preds fan is a little ridiculous.
- MadCap2008

The last time i checked , L.A has been in the league since 1967-68. I think they have the right to as they've been in the league a lot longer than Nashville and have a cup. You cannot take that away from them. Big Deal!! Weber stayed in Nashville, to me that's not news, he should have been signed 2 years ago. Low-balling him for 4.75mil last year in arbitration will come back to haunt this franchise, not including his contact. I'm sure if there is a lockout , the rich owners that Nashville has will GLADLY pay 33 million$ to 2 players for not playing a minute.

The last time i checked , L.A has been in the league since 1967-68. I think they have the right to as they've been in the league a lot longer than Nashville and have a cup. You cannot take that away from them. Big Deal!! Weber stayed in Nashville, to me that's not news, he should have been signed 2 years ago. Low-balling him for 4.75mil last year in arbitration will come back to haunt this franchise, not including his contact. I'm sure if there is a lockout , the rich owners that Nashville has will GLADLY pay 33 million$ to 2 players for not playing a minute.
- kow23

Awwwww ... sour grapes huh?

I wonder if any of them were listening to the conference call. It sounded like Weber and the Preds kinda played Philly.


The Preds Played the Flyers!!!!!! Hahahahahaha...yea and you paid 110 million....boy do they feel stupid....what a goofy comment......it makes no sense.
Weber....perhaps....but in the end no harm no foul....it's business.

Also



Other items revealed. The Preds have been in contact with Doan. Trotz and Doan are friends. Fisher and Doan are friends. The Preds think they'll be high on his list if he decides not to play in Phoenix.
- Predaceous

I think Doan will visit a lot of teams.....I think he'll stay in the desert....but the Preds should be on anyone's short list.....great young team....at least that statement makes sense

when goosebumps subside look at Parise, Suter and Weber, where they could have gone, where they didn't go and not just not going to PHL. sometimes jumping into the deep end with little % of success yields huge dividends. Always look for the plot within a plot.

He's a tool because he was wrong for once and because he's super respected in the media and has a job we all wish we had?

Yeah, what a tool.
- Juice

Get a grip the guy is wrong almost ALL the time. It has nothing to do with the job he's doing. Who cares if lamestreamers respect this guy... it makes no difference. The guy is clueless and never offers and useful insight into anything going on in the league. He's always rehashing what someone else has already said or wrote and was reported either in the team's local market or nationally already.

Guys like Nick Kypreos, Bob McKenzie, Pierre Maguire, Glen Healey or Kelly Hrudey for example show they actually know what's going on with players/ teams and don't just make stuff up or regurgitate comments.