I am open to that... I am very tired of certain media sources (cough... Hockey News) that continue to look for ways to denigrate this market... You point to the one positive article... I seem to remember the cover story (just last season) that called this franchise "Slashville"

They simply have an agenda an I will continue to call it out... if that is defensive... so be it.
- pmccann

So you don't think that clown Dreger was denigrating the market when he says the Preds won't match essentially because of X, Y and Z and then when they do he tweets something about how he thought they would...??

If they 'played Philly', it was a silly ploy. The only thing they got from the Flyers was six days of offseason.
- BulliesPhan87

Maybe I shouldn't have included the Preds in that statement. Weber definitely. He used Philly to get the front loaded contract he wanted. Between his quote and Gillis' statement, you have to wonder if anyone other than Philly had offered a contract if he still would have chosen the Flyers.

Class... thanks!
- pmccann

Eklund is so infuriating...I know...not news...but he reported that Trotz said in the conference call that they would look to the free agent market or trade for a Top 4 D-guy...what he omitted was that Trotz also said that he would go in to training camp with Roman Josi as Shea Weber's partner.

Eklund is so infuriating...I know...not news...but he reported that Trotz said in the conference call that they would look to the free agent market or trade for a Top 4 D-guy...what he omitted was that Trotz also said that he would go in to training camp with Roman Josi as Shea Weber's partner.
- Section106

Didn't he say if camp started tomorrow they'd be partners?

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.
- kow23

He didn't want to sign a long deal then, or at least that's what he said. And that number was because each side has to go in with a number and the team isn't going to go high. I think they knew he was going to cash in. The ONLY reason for taking him to arbitration last year was to keep anybody from putting an offer sheet on him while he was hesitant to commit long term. It wasn't because they thought they could get away with maybe paying him 5 million. Poile has been around a long time and to suggest that he'd do that seriously underestimates him.

Clearly you guys don't have the highest opinions of Flyers fans, but fools rush in where angels etc. Some puzzled (and respectful!) queries for y'all

2.Why did they wait 6 days to match for a perennial Norris candidate with this kind of arithmetic?
- PT21

Because they didn't have to hurry and maybe they could squeeze a batch of really good young players out of Philly in the process. At least wait to see what you might be able to get, then weigh which was the best way to go for the future of the franchise.

He didn't want to sign a long deal then, or at least that's what he said. And that number was because each side has to go in with a number and the team isn't going to go high. I think they knew he was going to cash in. The ONLY reason for taking him to arbitration last year was to keep anybody from putting an offer sheet on him while he was hesitant to commit long term. It wasn't because they thought they could get away with maybe paying him 5 million. Poile has been around a long time and to suggest that he'd do that seriously underestimates him.
- sbrambo

I've just started ignoring people who bring up the Preds arbitration number. Weber asking for $8M per was just as ridiculous in the other direction at the time, but no one says anything about that. Most people thought he'd get $6M or $7M. The standard changes all the time which is why Weber's contract will probably look like a bargain in a few years.

Anytime someone complains about the Preds 'low-balling' Weber shows a complete lack of understanding about how arbitration works.

I've just started ignoring people who bring up the Preds arbitration number. Weber asking for $8M per was just as ridiculous in the other direction at the time, but no one says anything about that. Most people thought he'd get $6M or $7M. The standard changes all the time which is why Weber's contract will probably look like a bargain in a few years.

Anytime someone complains about the Preds 'low-balling' Weber shows a complete lack of understanding about how arbitration works.
- Predaceous

It also shows how many idiots there are moonlighting as trolls. You should see some of the comments at one of the recent TSN.com articles. Not all comments are bad but many are so completely ridiculous that one wonders if they are escapees from local asylums.

While opinions will understandably vary, some cannot even get facts correct so their points of view become meaningless. You'd think they'd wise up. (Not a chance!) They'll say and write anything hoping someone will take their BS as gospel. Lunkheads extraordinaire.

It also shows how many idiots there are moonlighting as trolls. You should see some of the comments at one of the recent TSN.com articles. Not all comments are bad but many are so completely ridiculous that one wonders if they are escapees from local asylums.

While opinions will understandably vary, some cannot even get facts correct so their points of view become meaningless. You'd think they'd wise up. (Not a chance!) They'll say and write anything hoping someone will take their BS as gospel. Lunkheads extraordinaire.
- blueline

Well, it works in politics.

I've just started ignoring people who bring up the Preds arbitration number. Weber asking for $8M per was just as ridiculous in the other direction at the time, but no one says anything about that. Most people thought he'd get $6M or $7M. The standard changes all the time which is why Weber's contract will probably look like a bargain in a few years.

Anytime someone complains about the Preds 'low-balling' Weber shows a complete lack of understanding about how arbitration works.
- Predaceous

I don't have any desire to comment on arbitration offers (it's just another negotiation table with an additional party involved, after all), but I'll agree Weber's contract is fair value for him. He is, after all, the best at his position.

I thought Nashville would match and was surprised it took as long as it did but I really don't know how its a good financial decision for the Preds. if its true ticket sales grossed 26 million, you have to think throwing all that money into 2 players (weber and Rinne) is going to be killer for the organization. Very well may be that the individual owners were willing to throw more money in not to lose him tho.

Sincere question for Preds fans, do you worry about the Preds ability to spend to near the cap and to field a championship level team with so much tied up on 2 players? Its the plight of the small market team I suppose.

Maybe I shouldn't have included the Preds in that statement. Weber definitely. He used Philly to get the front loaded contract he wanted. Between his quote and Gillis' statement, you have to wonder if anyone other than Philly had offered a contract if he still would have chosen the Flyers.
- Predaceous

Perhaps, I think he was prepared to play in either city. Anyways, objection withdrawn.

I thought Nashville would match and was surprised it took as long as it did but I really don't know how its a good financial decision for the Preds. if its true ticket sales grossed 26 million, you have to think throwing all that money into 2 players (weber and Rinne) is going to be killer for the organization. Very well may be that the individual owners were willing to throw more money in not to lose him tho.

Sincere question for Preds fans, do you worry about the Preds ability to spend to near the cap and to field a championship level team with so much tied up on 2 players? Its the plight of the small market team I suppose.
- nastyflyergirl

We're not worried about it and we don't want you to worry about it either

We're not worried about it and we don't want you to worry about it either
- SouthNash

It's a legit question.

I believe he wanted to be in Philly. The quotes given up the Philly media were talks of Philly being a better fit and not wanting to be part of a rebuild. It was also said that he felt things were changing in Nashville with suter going. But I also believe weber was willing to change Nashville matching because he does like it in Nashville

It's a legit question.

I believe he wanted to be in Philly. The quotes given up the Philly media were talks of Philly being a better fit and not wanting to be part of a rebuild. It was also said that he felt things were changing in Nashville with suter going. But I also believe weber was willing to change Nashville matching because he does like it in Nashville
- nastyflyergirl

WHO THE F$@# IS REBUILDING?

SUTER = REBUILD?????? REALLY? STFU

WHO THE F$@# IS REBUILDING?

SUTER = REBUILD?????? REALLY? STFU
- buelleo

C'mon, tell us how you really feel.

It's a legit question.

I believe he wanted to be in Philly. The quotes given up the Philly media were talks of Philly being a better fit and not wanting to be part of a rebuild. It was also said that he felt things were changing in Nashville with suter going. But I also believe weber was willing to change Nashville matching because he does like it in Nashville
- nastyflyergirl

You were listening to the incoherent babbling of Weber's agent...

I am so tired of reading about how the Preds are in a rebuild. most of which is coming from the Flyer fans, If memory serves me correctly, the Preds went just as far as the Flyers did in the playoffs and only lost one significant player. They have solid goal tending which should be a cornerstone of any franchise. A stud D-man and young talent that is still on the rise.

I am so tired of reading about how the Preds are in a rebuild. most of which is coming from the Flyer fans, If memory serves me correctly, the Preds went just as far as the Flyers did in the playoffs and only lost one significant player. They have solid goal tending which should be a cornerstone of any franchise. A stud D-man and young talent that is still on the rise.
- PredfanDan

It is just typical sour grapes. They cling onto one thing said (which was not by Weber) and ignore everything else. They ignore the other agent saying the Preds are not in a rebuild and Weber distancing himself from the agent's rebuilding comment.

Dear Flyer Fan: As the Pred fans know all two well, quotes made to the public by players and agents is cheap. To keep using them as a point of slandering this franchise is sad.

It's a legit question.

I believe he wanted to be in Philly. The quotes given up the Philly media were talks of Philly being a better fit and not wanting to be part of a rebuild. It was also said that he felt things were changing in Nashville with suter going. But I also believe weber was willing to change Nashville matching because he does like it in Nashville
- nastyflyergirl

To answer your questions, the owners said at the press conference that they had to decide, not only if they could afford Weber's contract, but if they could afford to surround him with talent, and the answer is yes.

As for the comments about Weber being a better fit in Philly and not wanting to be a part of a rebuild, he flat out said that those were his agents comments and that they did not come from him.

He obviously would have loved to play for Philly or he wouldn't have signed there, but according to Weber, all he did was use the current CBA to his advantage. In other words, Philadelphia accommodated him by offering him that front loaded contract. No one else made him an offer, so he took the one from Philly. He was very happy to see the Predators match and show their commitment to building a winner. Something he said he wanted to see all along.

The Preds were offering $104M, but it was not front loaded with bonuses like the Philly offer.

Weber is fine being here, and the owners are fine paying his contract and building around him.

You can hear Weber's comments on a podcast at http://www.section303.com. You can watch the owner's press conference at the Preds website on Predators tv if you're interested. Between the two you'll have your answers.

It is just typical sour grapes. They cling onto one thing said (which was not by Weber) and ignore everything else. They ignore the other agent saying the Preds are not in a rebuild and Weber distancing himself from the agent's rebuilding comment.

Dear Flyer Fan: As the Pred fans know all two well, quotes made to the public by players and agents is cheap. To keep using them as a point of slandering this franchise is sad.
- Predville

You know, it's entirely possible she just didn't hear those comments. There's nothing wrong with honest inquisitions.

Any idea whow much we still have to spend to get to the floor?

Any idea whow much we still have to spend to get to the floor?
- PoileRulezzzYo

Approximately $489.000 is all.

Approximately $489.000 is all.
- blueline

Why in the hell hasn't DP laid down an offer sheet on Martin Hanzel??? No time for resting on your laurels, you have to make up for your poopty summer last year!!!