With the mega-payout to Weber in the beginning of the contract, are the Preds limited in the improvements they can make in the rest of the roster to the point that we are in a holding pattern until the unknown cap affords some room to acquire upgraded players. If so, isn't it compareable to letting him go and build through 8 firsts in 4 years? Can we get better any quicker one way or the other?
- Fangor

That my friend is a bigger concern than the $26 million up front. Kudos.

Nashville needs to weigh whether it's just time to rebuild or ice a team with Weber and Rinne eating up all of their financial payroll. It wouldn't make sense to do the latter IMO, but if backed into a corner, Nashville will still probably match to save face. This is where a deal comes into play, likely the best option for both sides, where Philly gets back some of its picks in exchange for young roster players (i.e., Read, Voracek, Meszaros, etc.).

Don't see Homer caving on Schenn or Couturier though, or else there wouldn't even have been an OS.

Can't say I disagree, but that's the nature of the game in the new era of the NHL. Free agency has undoubtedly destroyed the fans perspective of all the big sports organizations now days. If you have a young stud on a team in a small to mid-size market, chances are you should enjoy his presence while you can because inevitably he'll be seeking that bigger and better team once he's eligible to do so...
- MnGump

True. I find it humorous when fans call out for GM's to extend/sign young players early (as the Canes blogger is calling for regarding Skinner) as though all that needs to be done is hand the player a new contract with instructions to sign here, here and here. Lol. It's just not that easy.

Promising athletes are being groomed at an early age by parents, coaches, mentors, etc. and, eventually, sports agents on how to say "no". They aren't dumb and their advisors certainly aren't either. The name of the game from that perspective (agents, et al) is to know everything possible - strengths and weaknesses - about the organization, legal structures, ownership, etc. and then find a way to maximize the payday. Period.

Free agency has substantially altered professional sports. At least it's never boring, especially concerning the Preds.

Nashville made only $26 million in ticket sales last year.. they are not gonna give $27 million for 1 guy in 1 year. and we'll see who goes back but it wont be coots or any schenn!!! Trust me on that!!!
- BernieKorch

There was no Couturier in the Staal trade. Sutter is a nice player, but not of the value of Couturier. Couturier was a bought with mononucleosis away from being the number 1 pick in the draft. Now seeing that he is for real the entire league knows that.

Again the trade would have happened already.

Schenn + Schenn + Pick
or
Mesz + Couturier + Pick

These are likely, and what it will take for Nashville to allow Weber to go, but no way you get all of them.
- psoneill

That won't happen, man.

The best, absolute best, you're going to get offered is Read, Jake, Meszy, a 1st, and a 2nd.

Even that might not be what Homer is willing to do, so who knows. But he won't include those 2. He's made that perfectly clear with this OS.

Seriously, how is this even a question of matching? I know Weber is a good player, but come on! No player deserves to make $80M over 6 years. Not even Crosby. Nashville has always been about "Team". A group of hard-working players, with a good management staff and one of the best coaches in the game, all working together toward a common goal. They win because everyone buys into that system. Well, Weber put himself above the team in this case. Obviously it's his right as an RFA, but it goes against everything that Nashville has worked to develop. Weber knows damn well that this contract could hurt the team's bottom line... that it could have an adverse affect on signing other players to round out the roster. And he signed it anyway. Send him on his way, take the picks, and move on. He's in the East now, so he won't be much of a problem. And I guarantee that Nashville remains competitive. They'll find some other guy in their system who will turn out to be the next stud dman.
- nucks_94

Would hate to see Nashville lose Weber and look back on what might have been as we do in DC with Scott Stevens (whom Poile lost in a similar RFA-Offer Sheet scenario).

And for the record Preds fans: Jake and Read are VERY good young players, particularly the former who has 70-80 pt potential in many Flyers fans opinions. He's a very talented and creative winger who possesses a lethal offensive skill-set. Read has obviously already scored 25 goals as a rookie.

Meszy won our best d-man award just a year ago. He's a good, young 20+ minute blue-liner too.

Not saying it's completely fair value, but these aren't scraps either.

Would hate to see Nashville lose Weber and look back on what might have been as we do in DC with Scott Stevens (whom Poile lost in a similar RFA-Offer Sheet scenario).
- MadCap2008

The bigger problem simply may be what it will do to the franchise if they keep him under these circumstances.

That my friend is a bigger concern than the $26 million up front. Kudos.

Nashville needs to weigh whether it's just time to rebuild or ice a team with Weber and Rinne eating up all of their financial payroll. It wouldn't make sense to do the latter IMO, but if backed into a corner, Nashville will still probably match to save face. This is where a deal comes into play, likely the best option for both sides, where Philly gets back some of its picks in exchange for young roster players (i.e., Read, Voracek, Meszaros, etc.).

Don't see Homer caving on Schenn or Couturier though, or else there wouldn't even have been an OS.
- LordStanley88

Hope Nashville doesn't settle for that as compensation if the decide to work out a side-trade in lieu of matching.

If push came to shove I'd ship off both Schenns for Weber. I understand where the Preds management is coming from: they can't allow Weber to walk and have no centerpiece coming back - that'd be a PR disaster. However, the Schenn bros are a commodity Nashville could definitely sell to its fans; more so than Voracek and Meszaros.

They were planning on it, but how are they going to get there? Aren't they at 44 mill with 19 players signed. Add Webers 7.8 mill and you still have a ways to go with only Doan left out there. If they bump the cap down, do the Preds have enough on their roster with Weber to even be as good as they were last year?

It appears they would have to seriously overpay Colin Wilson and pick up some over priced scraps to meet the salary levels ownership is talking about. None of this is a recipe for success. Unless they turn around and sign someone else to an offer sheet......
- acmilano3

Right now the only piece missing from the team that actually got us into the playoffs is Suter. If they don't sign Weber they'll have to do everything you mentioned and then some just to get to the floor, however, with Weber they're only about 3-4M from the floor with Wilson and Blum to sign. They're also looking to bring in another veteran Dman.

Right now the concern is just getting to the floor. Nevermind the ceiling.

That my friend is a bigger concern than the $26 million up front. Kudos.

Nashville needs to weigh whether it's just time to rebuild or ice a team with Weber and Rinne eating up all of their financial payroll. It wouldn't make sense to do the latter IMO, but if backed into a corner, Nashville will still probably match to save face. This is where a deal comes into play, likely the best option for both sides, where Philly gets back some of its picks in exchange for young roster players (i.e., Read, Voracek, Meszaros, etc.).

Don't see Homer caving on Schenn or Couturier though, or else there wouldn't even have been an OS.
- LordStanley88

You dont often hear the term "rebuild" when youre talking about 2 players....is NJD going to rebuild b/c they lost their 3rd leading scorer last year? Id appreciate it if yall quit using the term rebuild....will it change the makeup of the team? Sure, but we are hardley going into a rebuilding season. THX

And for the record Preds fans: Jake and Read are VERY good young players, particularly the former who has 70-80 pt potential in many Flyers fans opinions. He's a very talented and creative winger who possesses a lethal offensive skill-set. Read has obviously already scored 25 goals as a rookie.

Meszy won our best d-man award just a year ago. He's a good, young 20+ minute blue-liner too.

Not saying it's completely fair value, but these aren't scraps either.
- LordStanley88

We watched Voracek suck in Columbus. We're aware of his potential.

Right now the only piece missing from the team that actually got us into the playoffs is Suter. If they don't sign Weber they'll have to do everything you mentioned and then some just to get to the floor, however, with Weber they're only about 3-4M from the floor with Wilson and Blum to sign. They're also looking to bring in another veteran Dman.

Right now the concern is just getting to the floor. Nevermind the ceiling.
- Predaceous

Flip one of those 1sts for Jay-Bo. Problem solved.

I believe the rumored tag on him is indeed a 1st rounder too.

Would hate to see Nashville lose Weber and look back on what might have been as we do in DC with Scott Stevens (whom Poile lost in a similar RFA-Offer Sheet scenario).
- MadCap2008

He's one player. And you know what he got for Nashville in all his years playing there with Suter and Rinne? Two playoff series wins. If matching this offer sheet will, in any way, affect the teams ability to bolster the rest of the roster, you walk away, take the picks, and enjoy having two picks in the first round for the next four years.

We watched Voracek suck in Columbus. We're aware of his potential.
- Predaceous

50 pts is sucking?

Hmm...Interesting.

Mind you he's 22 too.

Right now the only piece missing from the team that actually got us into the playoffs is Suter. If they don't sign Weber they'll have to do everything you mentioned and then some just to get to the floor, however, with Weber they're only about 3-4M from the floor with Wilson and Blum to sign. They're also looking to bring in another veteran Dman.

Right now the concern is just getting to the floor. Nevermind the ceiling.
- Predaceous

Thats my point. Now spending up to the cap becomes that much tougher becuase of the 1st year bonus money. The first 4 or 5 years really. This means competing becomes that much more difficult. Can they win a cup at the floor? I agree they are still very good, but not sure how they are closer to a cup this year, regardless.

Looking at this from an ownership or hockey perspective its tough to rationalize matching the offer.

If they use emotion and ego then I understand. I would not blame them for going in that direction, but don't think its the brightest move.

Not getting an asset for Suter puts their outlook in a bit of a bind.

50 pts is sucking?

Hmm...Interesting.

Mind you he's 22 too.
- LordStanley88

I'm being a little hyperbolic. He's still not worth Weber, especially given his contract status.

Circumstances are very different from when they initially tried to sign Weber.

1. Fritch has come into many more millions over the last year because of Cigna buying Healthspring.
2. W. Brett Wilson was not part of the ownership group then
3. The market has changed considerably since the original negotiations.
4. Weber initially wanted a 3 year contract. Preds wanted him for longer.
5. Weber also wanted to wait and see what Suter did. We know how that turned out.

Suter left to be closer to his wife's family, and to have the chance to play with Parise. That had been speculated about since at least last January. I'm not sure how Poile didn't clue in.

I don't think they were being lowballed, but I guarantee they weren't being offered the ridiculous bonus money that's on each of their contracts right now.
- Predaceous

That second last point is what would frustrate me.. If that was almost common knowledge.. trade Suter at the TDL.

He's one player. And you know what he got for Nashville in all his years playing there with Suter and Rinne? Two playoff series wins. If matching this offer sheet will, in any way, affect the teams ability to bolster the rest of the roster, you walk away, take the picks, and enjoy having two picks in the first round for the next four years.
- nucks_94

I thought Nashville was pretty close this year, no reason to think that they couldn't take the next step if they could hold this roster together (even with the loss of Suter).

And this here from our accountant!!!
- SouthNash

Nah i read it from a number of sources...including your own nashville source so way to try and throw one back at me!!!

I'm being a little hyperbolic. He's still not worth Weber, especially given his contract status.
- Predaceous

Well you're getting Read, Meszy, and possibly 2 1sts too...

Given the circumstances that's a nice haul.

50 pts is sucking?

Hmm...Interesting.

Mind you he's 22 too.
- LordStanley88

Voracek is pretty good, but it's telling that a lot of Flyers fans seem to be fine with him being included in a side-deal with Nashville.

We watched Voracek suck in Columbus. We're aware of his potential.
- Predaceous

He might be your second best all around winger if he joined your team today.

We watched him in Columbus as well. Not the same player.

I thought Nashville was pretty close this year, no reason to think that they couldn't take the next step if they could hold this roster together (even with the loss of Suter).
- MadCap2008

Maybe this year, sure, but the fact remains that his contract is likely to hinder Nashville's ability to add future pieces and keep their own players.

Voracek is pretty good, but it's telling that a lot of Flyers fans seem to be fine with him being included in a side-deal with Nashville.
- MadCap2008

It says a ton about Weber, yes.