It's a little too early to start that talk. Hold that thought until next week, if Poile doesn't match the offer.
- EKolb13

They needed a D-man even before this when Suter left. Theey will be more desoperate for D than Detroit if Weber left, too

From my time hanging out on the Preds threads (poet and didn't even know it)...I think a lot of Preds fans would disagree. But, as you said, we'll see.
- Ogilthorpe2

We will see now that Laverne and Shirley have new roomates

Think we'll get to 100 pages with no Hawks news on this thread....????
- mrpaulish

Q getting a new Tampon doesn't qualify as Hawks' news?

Q getting a new Tampon doesn't qualify as Hawks' news?
- NewToHockey

I kinda wish it did though....

They needed a D-man even before this when Suter left. Theey will be more desoperate for D than Detroit if Weber left, too
- tomcat24

If Weber happens to leave, they're in rebuild mode. They're not going to be desperate to trade for anything then. The only thing they'll be desperate for is trading for picks and prospects at the trade deadline.

If Weber stays (which I think will happen) and Suter now gone, it opens up a spot for Ryan Ellis to move up with Weber. Sure, they'll have some holes to fill, but it's more likely Poile will trade for a Hjalmarsson or Leddy if Weber stays.

If Weber leaves, there's no reason to try to fill out the rest of the roster to be a contender.

I think the Preds have no choice but to let Weber go. Take the picks and move on. The best way for a team like Nashville to compete, is to do it like they've been doing:

Play a well coached, tightly structured, defense first system. Draft well. Be frugal, and hopefully you're just good enough to be a playoff team most years. Then, everyone once in a while when you fell you're close, go all in at the deadline...just like they did last year. Granted it didn't work, but I think for a small market team, the strategy could be a sound one.

Let Weber walk, take the picks, and reload. Good young players on entry level contracts are very, very valuable...especially for small market teams. What better way to try and make this happen than to have two 1st round picks a year for the next 4 years? Walk away, just let him go.
- Ogilthorpe2

I get what your saying but in this case it could cost the ownership $20-$30 mill for the next 3 years or longer waiting to reload.

If they didn't already lose Suter for nothing maybe, but they are caught and I don't think they have much choice.

Also if the Pres didn't want to come up with the money they could have most likely made a trade with Philly first.

Homer and Snyder just didn't wake up this AM with this idea and I would bet the Preds knew it was coming. That's the way these things normally happen. Penner was a different case, and Edmonton caught a lot of heat for a long time doing it without any warning.

Philly tried to trade for Weber's rights and when Preds said no they loaded the gun with a big front end offer giving themselves the best chance for succes.

On Twitter@AlCimaglia

We'll see. Personally I would love to see them get weber for just the picks. My twitter account is unbelievably biased towards Philly which makes it tough to sort good info from wishful thinking.

I don't know if Nashville has the $$$$ to keep him. Homer really socked it to Poile there. Bonus money is untouchable correct?... and that's a lot of bonus money.
- moylander

The Preds have to match the contract exactly...$$ and term.

If Weber happens to leave, they're in rebuild mode. They're not going to be desperate to trade for anything then. The only thing they'll be desperate for is trading for picks and prospects at the trade deadline.

If Weber stays (which I think will happen) and Suter now gone, it opens up a spot for Ryan Ellis to move up with Weber. Sure, they'll have some holes to fill, but it's more likely Poile will trade for a Hjalmarsson or Leddy if Weber stays.

If Weber leaves, there's no reason to try to fill out the rest of the roster to be a contender.
- EKolb13

Well that makes sense. I'm not saying too desperate, but trading for young players like leddy and hammer you can get them for now and the future.

So if the Preds do NOT match and Weber goes to Philly...

...the Predators will need to do some scrambling just to reach the salary floor.

Who would they sign and how much might they overpay just to make that floor?

Preds are in a bind...this will be a stressful week for the Nashville franchise, and a test for their current ownership.

Well that makes sense. I'm not saying too desperate, but trading for young players like leddy and hammer you can get them for now and the future.
- tomcat24

Yeah, that isn't going to happen. You got that "divisional rivals" thing in the way for starters.

Even then, if Weber walks, Poile is just going to fill out the opening day roster with whatever stroke he can find, and trade away whoever he can to stockpile picks and prospects at the trade deadline. He'll probably do the same for the 2014 season.

Then the Preds will move to Seattle or Quebec, and then they'll start filling out the roster with real players. In 2015.

So if the Preds do NOT match and Weber goes to Philly...

...the Predators will need to do some scrambling just to reach the salary floor.

Who would they sign and how much might they overpay just to make that floor?

Preds are in a bind...this will be a stressful week for the Nashville franchise, and a test for their current ownership.
- ArlingtonRob

Sounds like a perfect landing spot for Olesz and Montador.

So if the Preds do NOT match and Weber goes to Philly...

...the Predators will need to do some scrambling just to reach the salary floor.

Who would they sign and how much might they overpay just to make that floor?

Preds are in a bind...this will be a stressful week for the Nashville franchise, and a test for their current ownership.
- ArlingtonRob

Doan for $10m or Semin+ for some crazy number. Or just sniff around the league for a defenseman (I hear Dan Boyle might be available in SJ)

I know its news & it needs to be discussed but its really depressing that when i finally find time to sit down & go through the pages upon pages of posts that all i read is shea weber this & philly that. Its been quite depressing being a hawk fan this summer.

So if the Preds do NOT match and Weber goes to Philly...

...the Predators will need to do some scrambling just to reach the salary floor.

Who would they sign and how much might they overpay just to make that floor?

Preds are in a bind...this will be a stressful week for the Nashville franchise, and a test for their current ownership.
- ArlingtonRob

He'll need to spend $14 million to hit the cap floor. If Weber leaves, Nashville will become a temporary dump for bad contracts. Poile will take a few to hit the cap floor if they come with picks and prospects. That's how he'll fill out the team if Weber leaves.

I know its news & it needs to be discussed but its really depressing that when i finally find time to sit down & go through the pages upon pages of posts that all i read is shea weber this & philly that. Its been quite depressing being a hawk fan this summer.
- abvnbyd

Yes sir it has.

Sounds like a perfect landing spot for Olesz and Montador.
- NewToHockey

If Weber leaves, yes.

What is Poile going to expect to be kicked in to take Olesz and Montador?

So if the Preds do NOT match and Weber goes to Philly...

...the Predators will need to do some scrambling just to reach the salary floor.

Who would they sign and how much might they overpay just to make that floor?

Preds are in a bind...this will be a stressful week for the Nashville franchise, and a test for their current ownership.
- ArlingtonRob

Not too hard to pick up bad contracts but...To avoid becoming a non playoff team is another question.

If Weber leaves, yes.

What is Poile going to expect to be kicked in to take Olesz and Montador?
- EKolb13

Pirri, LaLonde and a first? Let him just have the first round of the draft to himself one year.

Pirri, LaLonde and a first? Let him just have the first round of the draft to himself one year.
- NewToHockey

With Chet Pickard coming back the other way. He knows he has to reach the floor, he'll have to give back something of some value (he has no need for him with Rinne)

Not too hard to pick up bad contracts but...To avoid becoming a non playoff team is another question.
- Al

That's a BIG question and it won't happen under Poile's watch anymore, I don't think. Weber is staying put. Preds match. The only possible caveat to this is that Weber has asked to be traded and the Preds comply. As has already been mentioned we're talking about the welfare of a franchise here moreso than some ridiculous contract to one single player. The lost playoff revenues alone are worth bucking up for, IMO.

Not too hard to pick up bad contracts but...To avoid becoming a non playoff team is another question.
- Al

That's my point Al...

...teams can always overpay, but the Nashville club has always found a way to put a quality product on the ice all while being rather frugal.

To overpay for bums is not something they would ever want to do and must drive David Poile nuts.

Here's an idea...

Poile should make an offer sheet for Versteeg...say 6M a year for 10 years...

...that would help get 'em closer to the floor.

That's a BIG question and it won't happen under Poile's watch anymore, I don't think. Weber is staying put. Preds match. The only possible caveat to this is that Weber has asked to be traded and the Preds comply. As has already been mentioned we're talking about the welfare of a franchise here moreso than some ridiculous contract to one single player. The lost playoff revenues alone are worth bucking up for, IMO.
- djd

Can't be traded for at least one year. I'd let him go. He's not worth it.

That's a BIG question and it won't happen under Poile's watch anymore, I don't think. Weber is staying put. Preds match. The only possible caveat to this is that Weber has asked to be traded and the Preds comply. As has already been mentioned we're talking about the welfare of a franchise here moreso than some ridiculous contract to one single player. The lost playoff revenues alone are worth bucking up for, IMO.
- djd

I think if Nashville matches, no trade of Weber can occur for 1 calendar year.

I think if Nashville matches, no trade of Weber can occur for 1 calendar year.
- ArlingtonRob

I don't think that's what he's saying. I think he means that Weber has asked to be traded, with his rights to some team. The Flyers have been trying to cut a deal but grew frustrated, hence they made an offer sheet. And because Weber wanted out, the Preds don't match.

Have very little feeling this is what the case is though (referring to Weber wanting out, he loves Nashville)

Sounds like a perfect landing spot for Olesz and Montador.
- NewToHockey

We could only wish here in 'Hawk-land.