Most of what Drudge reports is links from other news services.
- bird_dog

I'm well aware, I've bee readingit for years. Inflammatory headlines and unflattering photograhs of political opponents are the hallmarks of the report. It's a political site first and a news outlet second. It's brilliant and well done but not my persuasion.

I think they lose a ton more by keeping him. They could turn and trade a few picks and land a guy like JBow who would obviously be a big step down, but would keep them afloat. They could also make a few other moves to land an offensive guy. Keeping him and having a 150 million dollar difference between ticket sales and player salaries over the next 6 years would be insane...
- jak521

I agree. While they'd obviously have lost a lot this offseason, if they can get some return for those picks (either from the Flyers or elsewhere) they can still ice a competitive team. Just as their financial doom and gloom situation is probably a tad exaggerated, so too I think would be their on ice product if they don't match. Are they going to be as competitive as they were? No, but they'll still do alright IMO. Other guys would just need to step up

It's the term that is not good for them. They offered 7M to Rinne, I'm sure they're willing to give 7.8M to Weber who's more useful.

I agree, it's still a tuff call for them, but if I were in their shoes, I would match. Just can't lose Weber without seriously damaging the fan base.

And as a Habs fan, I want them to match
- Habs Rule

Everyone keeps mentioning that they can't upset the fan base and blah blah blah. The friggin Predators won't have a fan base in 5 years if they match this because the Predators will be playing in Canada. It's simple, Nashville does this deal and they are screwed.

Did he fail? Or was the best offer he was authorized to make, not good enough to get it done? There are many questions. Who made the decision to take Weber to Arbitration? Arbitration is not the same as negotiating a contract. It's not about making a fair offer. It's about intentionally low balling the player. That's what it's about. Offered 6.8M to Weber last year? When he was already making 7.5M. What I'm saying is we don't know who was calling the shots as far as finances are concerned. And it's really unfair to criticize from the cheap seats when we don't know what transpired. I'm not saying Poile doesn't deserve criticism. Maybe he deserves all of it. Maybe he royally screwed this whole thing up. But I don't know that. And to think that I do, is assuming an awful lot of facts not in evidence.
- MJL

I was talking about signing Weber before the arbitration awarded $7.5M. He was making $4.5M and they came in with some low ball offer like $4.8M or something, and said that his comparable player was Yandle. That's what I think was foolish, and that's where I think Poile failed. And I imagine that whole experience is a big part of why he no longer wants to be there (that and of course Suter leaving).

I admit there is no way I can know that for sure, but it certainly seems like a reasonable assumption. My basic point is simply this: If they truly have the resources to match any offer sheet, then they've misused those resources in a pretty major way to have gotten into this situation. If they have had this money all along then they should have used it to lock up Weber and Suter when they had the chance.

Me either, but do you think the owners take the risk of losing all of that money? If I put myself in their shoes, i am more interested in taking the safe route financially. Would you agree?
- Richieattack18

To a point. But at some point you have to keep the fans coming. He leaves and people will be pissed

I was talking about signing Weber before the arbitration awarded $7.5M. He was making $4.5M and they came in with some low ball offer like $4.8M or something, and said that his comparable player was Yandle. That's what I think was foolish, and that's where I think Poile failed. And I imagine that whole experience is a big part of why he no longer wants to be there (that and of course Suter leaving).

I admit there is no way I can know that for sure, but it certainly seems like a reasonable assumption. My basic point is simply this: If they truly have the resources to match any offer sheet, then they've misused those resources in a pretty major way to have gotten into this situation. If they have had this money all along then they should have used it to lock up Weber and Suter when they had the chance.
- BringBack25

It's either on Poile or the owners... most likely the owners. Although, this is a guy who lost Scott Stevens to an offer sheet, so you never know.

To a point. But at some point you have to keep the fans coming. He leaves and people will be pissed
- Deasr1

Fans will be fans, most are already pissed about Suter. If the team does well (which I expect they would), I dont think that stops the fans from coming to the games. They want to see THEIR team play.

Balance sheets and Cash Flows don't lie. Preds can't afford it. Don't trade anything to them. They want to match and destroy their team... fine.

Balance sheets and Cash Flows don't lie. Preds can't afford it. Don't trade anything to them. They want to match and destroy their team... fine.
- Flyers1218

Exactly, the team would be destroyed by paying all that money to Weber. I'm not sure the owners want that to happen.

CHRIST ON A PONY

SHEA WEBER IS NOT GOING TO BE A PHILADELPHIA FLYER, CASE CLOSED.

CHRIST ON A PONY

SHEA WEBER IS NOT GOING TO BE A PHILADELPHIA FLYER, CASE CLOSED.
- watsonnostaw

Exactly, the team would be destroyed by paying all that money to Weber. I'm not sure the owners want that to happen.
- Richieattack18

It is possible they could find the money to do it (either in their own collective pockets or whatever means) and not "destroy" their organization. They key is whether it's worth it in the long run for them to do so.

CHRIST ON A PONY

SHEA WEBER IS NOT GOING TO BE A PHILADELPHIA FLYER, CASE CLOSED.
- watsonnostaw

So what are you trying to say?

CHRIST ON A PONY

SHEA WEBER IS NOT GOING TO BE A PHILADELPHIA FLYER, CASE CLOSED.
- watsonnostaw

You're predictions are never wrong.

<----- So sad

CHRIST ON A PONY

SHEA WEBER IS NOT GOING TO BE A PHILADELPHIA FLYER, CASE CLOSED.
- watsonnostaw

It's all Franks fault

CHRIST ON A PONY

SHEA WEBER IS NOT GOING TO BE A PHILADELPHIA FLYER, CASE CLOSED.
- watsonnostaw

soooooooooooooooooooooo you're saying there's a chance?

ALRIGHT!

My thoughts at this point...

Weber was actively shopped by Nashville as it was reported they were in trade talks with multiple teams. Why would they be shopping him if they were willing to give him an huge lifetime deal to retain him? This implies they weren't and possibly aren't in a position to match this kind of deal and/or it's clear to them the player doesn't want to be there.

Weber's agent has made it clear that Weber wants to be in Philly and has made thinly veiled statements about not wanting to be in Nashville, i.e., he doesn't want a rebuild situation, "things changed July 4th (when Suter left)" etc.

Poile and Holmgren spent all day on the phone trying to work out a deal that culminated in that offer sheet. This was a calculated move made, reportedly, with prior knowledge of both parties. Maybe the financial structure of the deal made it such that it was impossible for Nashville to match, giving Poile an out to say it wasn't his fault? Maybe there's a "handshake" agreement to make a follow up trade with Nashville to give them some roster players to lessen the blow (trading one or more of the 1st rd picks back to the Flyers, as has been specualted)?

FWIW, I think Nashville won't be as decimated as people think if they lose Weber (and Suter). Yes, it will be a setback, but they have a few quality young guys thatv are probably ready to step up into larger roles and bigger minutes on D...Josi, Klein, Ellis, Blum, maybe Laasko makes the club...plus Gill can eat big minutes if needed. It probably wouldn't be the worst D corps in the league. They'll still play Trotz's solid defensive system and they have a world class goalie in Rinne backstopping. I believe that if they can manage to put some offense together they could still challenge for a playoff spot.


Given all the info we presently have, considering the questionable financial health of the franchise (losing money), the (presumed) preference of Weber to play elsewhere and the up and coming D men they still would have, I'm inclined to think the Preds won't match.

I remember having pipe dreams of Pronger being a Flyer a few years back and it became so. I hardly dared to dream of Weber in a Flyers uniform and yet we could be a few (looooooong) days away from that becoming a reality. Amazing.

My thoughts at this point...

Weber was actively shopped by Nashville as it was reported they were in trade talks with multiple teams. Why would they be shopping him if they were willing to give him an huge lifetime deal to retain him? This implies they weren't and possibly aren't in a position to match this kind of deal and/or it's clear to them the player doesn't want to be there.

Weber's agent has made it clear that Weber wants to be in Philly and has made thinly veiled statements about not wanting to be in Nashville, i.e., he doesn't want a rebuild situation, "things changed July 4th (when Suter left)" etc.

Poile and Holmgren spent all day on the phone trying to work out a deal that culminated in that offer sheet. This was a calculated move made, reportedly, with prior knowledge of both parties. Maybe the financial structure of the deal made it such that it was impossible for Nashville to match, giving Poile an out to say it wasn't his fault? Maybe there's a "handshake" agreement to make a follow up trade with Nashville to give them some roster players to lessen the blow (trading one or more of the 1st rd picks back to the Flyers, as has been specualted)?

FWIW, I think Nashville won't be as decimated as people think if they lose Weber (and Suter). Yes, it will be a setback, but they have a few quality young guys thatv are probably ready to step up into larger roles and bigger minutes on D...Josi, Klein, Ellis, Blum, maybe Laasko makes the club...plus Gill can eat big minutes if needed. It probably wouldn't be the worst D corps in the league. They'll still play Trotz's solid defensive system and they have a world class goalie in Rinne backstopping. I believe that if they can manage to put some offense together they could still challenge for a playoff spot.


Given all the info we presently have, considering the questionable financial health of the franchise (losing money), the (presumed) preference of Weber to play elsewhere and the up and coming D men they still would have, I'm inclined to think the Preds won't match.

I remember having pipe dreams of Pronger being a Flyer a few years back and it became so. I hardly dared to dream of Weber in a Flyers uniform and yet we could be a few (looooooong) days away from that becoming a reality. Amazing.
- phantasm

were they shopping him or simply listening to offers?

CHRIST ON A PONY

SHEA WEBER IS NOT GOING TO BE A PHILADELPHIA FLYER, CASE CLOSED.
- watsonnostaw

Just like the thrashers are still in Atlanta

My thoughts at this point...

Weber was actively shopped by Nashville as it was reported they were in trade talks with multiple teams. Why would they be shopping him if they were willing to give him an huge lifetime deal to retain him? This implies they weren't and possibly aren't in a position to match this kind of deal and/or it's clear to them the player doesn't want to be there.

Weber's agent has made it clear that Weber wants to be in Philly and has made thinly veiled statements about not wanting to be in Nashville, i.e., he doesn't want a rebuild situation, "things changed July 4th (when Suter left)" etc.

Poile and Holmgren spent all day on the phone trying to work out a deal that culminated in that offer sheet. This was a calculated move made, reportedly, with prior knowledge of both parties. Maybe the financial structure of the deal made it such that it was impossible for Nashville to match, giving Poile an out to say it wasn't his fault? Maybe there's a "handshake" agreement to make a follow up trade with Nashville to give them some roster players to lessen the blow (trading one or more of the 1st rd picks back to the Flyers, as has been specualted)?

FWIW, I think Nashville won't be as decimated as people think if they lose Weber (and Suter). Yes, it will be a setback, but they have a few quality young guys thatv are probably ready to step up into larger roles and bigger minutes on D...Josi, Klein, Ellis, Blum, maybe Laasko makes the club...plus Gill can eat big minutes if needed. It probably wouldn't be the worst D corps in the league. They'll still play Trotz's solid defensive system and they have a world class goalie in Rinne backstopping. I believe that if they can manage to put some offense together they could still challenge for a playoff spot.


Given all the info we presently have, considering the questionable financial health of the franchise (losing money), the (presumed) preference of Weber to play elsewhere and the up and coming D men they still would have, I'm inclined to think the Preds won't match.

I remember having pipe dreams of Pronger being a Flyer a few years back and it became so. I hardly dared to dream of Weber in a Flyers uniform and yet we could be a few (looooooong) days away from that becoming a reality. Amazing.
- phantasm

Interesting theory.........

Poile: Look Paul we cant afford him, but I dont wanna look like a villian.

Homer: I got this

Has "Bobby Ryan" been typed here in two days?
- eayost

yea the "Weber" Fiasco really sucked all the man-love for Ryan outta here.

Soooo.. Anyone see the new Batman movie? It was flippin sweet
- Richieattack18

yes, It might be one of the top 10 movies of all time. No way they end the series like that.

yes, It might be one of the top 10 movies of all time. No way they end the series like that.
- JoeRussomanno

really that good? Better than Dark Knight?

really that good? Better than Dark Knight?
- aosplayo

no way there's a character as compelling as the joker in this one

no way there's a character as compelling as the joker in this one
- Crimsoninja

yea he was awesome.....I did read that the guy who did Bane was just as terrifying.