theres nothing wrong with this deal the blogger is just trying to combine to calendars seasons in to 1 calendar year. If he's do a signing bonus at the start of next then its the start of next year don't try lump it in the first calendar year!

this offer sheet isn't really about circumventing the cap. it's about structuring a contract so a big market team can put the screws to a small market team. It happens all the time in every sport.

If it wasn't the Flyers who did it one of the other rich teams would have.
- FlyerGuy

Agree with this, but its always the Flyers pulling the RICHARD move.

Yes it is bs in terms of a new cba needing to be reached. Small market gets worked over by a massively front loaded contract.

theres nothing wrong with this deal the blogger is just trying to combine to calendars seasons in to 1 calendar year. If he's do a signing bonus at the start of next then its the start of next year don't try lump it in the first calendar year!
- 215mike

What? Can you edit this so it makes sense?

Those at the top of the food chain, for lack of better terms, will always find a way to stay there. It's just the way things are, and I don't have a problem with that. There's no crying in hockey!!

Those at the top of the food chain, for lack of better terms, will always find a way to stay there. It's just the way things are, and I don't have a problem with that. There's no crying in hockey!!
- LeftCoaster

Unless your Brian Burke, that has scruples to the point of hurting his own teams development. Burke plays by his own high moral values and puts the Leafs at a distinct disadvantage. If he thinks that the new CBA is going to be the fix all, for what is wrong, he is mistaken. There'll always be a way for smart teams to get away with taking advantage of other teams. Burke is an ethical fool, in an a-ethical league of piranna's.

Unless your Brian Burke, that has scruples to the point of hurting his own teams development. Burke plays by his own high moral values and puts the Leafs at a distinct disadvantage. If he thinks that the new CBA is going to be the fix all, for what is wrong, he is mistaken. There'll always be a way for smart teams to get away with taking advantage of other teams. Burke is an ethical fool, in an a-ethical league of piranna's.
- PrinceLH

I would agree with all of that. Vancouver, for the better part of it's history, was managed so poorly and it showed in it's results. Things are similar in Toronto.

Whats the purpose of a CBA then?



Why go on strike?



Why have a cap?


- Beatle_john

The purpose of the CBA is to have a contract between players and owners. They clearly missed a key point in this deal and it will probably be addressed. UNTIL it is done, then I guess we as fans are going to have to put up with ridiculous deals like this. But all this "spirit of the CBA" crap doesn't mean anything. If it isn't in words and the loophole is there...it will be used. This happens in EVERY contract if it is not written carefully. Obviously the lawyers on both sides need to be more careful this time around.

theres nothing wrong with this deal the blogger is just trying to combine to calendars seasons in to 1 calendar year. If he's do a signing bonus at the start of next then its the start of next year don't try lump it in the first calendar year!
- 215mike

Mmm...but I do not think the Preds can trade him before the 2nd bonus is due if I am reading this all correctly. So your statement while maybe true that it isn't in the same "season", the bonuses will have to be paid out regardless because he will not be moveable during that time. It basically is the same thing.

The purpose of the CBA is to have a contract between players and owners. They clearly missed a key point in this deal and it will probably be addressed. UNTIL it is done, then I guess we as fans are going to have to put up with ridiculous deals like this. But all this "spirit of the CBA" crap doesn't mean anything. If it isn't in words and the loophole is there...it will be used. This happens in EVERY contract if it is not written carefully. Obviously the lawyers on both sides need to be more careful this time around.
- PoileRulezzzYo

It's been done a few times before. 15 years ago the Rangers used the same logic when they signed Sakic to that massive front loaded deal. 15 years later they still haven't closed that loop, not sure if they ever will?

It's been done a few times before. 15 years ago the Rangers used the same logic when they signed Sakic to that massive front loaded deal. 15 years later they still haven't closed that loop, not sure if they ever will?
- LeftCoaster

They may not...but it is doable. They will overlook something else though...it happens everytime.

I think the Preds have no choice but to let Weber go. Sucks for the Nashville fans, but i really do think it's the wise move in the long run. Take the picks and move on. The best way for small/mid market teams like Nashville to compete, is to do it just like Nashville has been doing in the past. That is:

Playing a well coached, tightly structured, defense first system. Draft well. Avoid overpriced, big $ free agents. Be frugal, and hopefully you're good enough to be a playoff team most years. Then, every once in a while when you feel 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 smaller market team, the strategy could be a sound one.

Let Weber walk, take the picks, and reload. Having good young players on entry level contracts is very, very valuable...especially for the smaller 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? Hell, they might even be able to take their two first round picks in any given year and trade up to get into the top 3. Over time, a deal like ths could make them the next Oilers.

Walk away, just let him go. (frank) him and the Flyers.

I think the Preds have no choice but to let Weber go. Sucks for the Nashville fans, but i really do think it's the wise move in the long run. Take the picks and move on. The best way for small/mid market teams like Nashville to compete, is to do it just like Nashville has been doing in the past. That is:

Playing a well coached, tightly structured, defense first system. Draft well. Avoid overpriced, big $ free agents. Be frugal, and hopefully you're good enough to be a playoff team most years. Then, every once in a while when you feel 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 smaller market team, the strategy could be a sound one.

Let Weber walk, take the picks, and reload. Having good young players on entry level contracts is very, very valuable...especially for the smaller 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? Hell, they might even be able to take their two first round picks in any given year and trade up to get into the top 3. Over time, a deal like ths could make them the next Oilers.

Walk away, just let him go. (frank) him and the Flyers.
- Ogilthorpe2

I agree for the most part, BUT that means they will have to overpay have average talent just to reach the cap floor. It reeks of a re-build, which cannot be good in the short-term.

Very interesting tweet

Flyers fan trying to troll Preds minority owner and Canadian billionaire Brett Wilson about the finances and he responds. Possible good news for the Preds.

http://www.ontheforecheck...m/2012/7...ty-to#comments

Nashville had a LOCAL TV rating of 1.0.. and that was up from .04 the year before. They were one of the best teams in the league all season long yet managed to only sell out half of their home games... and that was a drastic jump from the year before. They made 26 million in ticket sales last year INCLUDING the playoffs... Philly made 58 in the regular season ALONE. I understand they are not a big city, but neither is Buffalo. Nashville has never been above 20th in attendance in the NHL....
- jak521

Correct on the ticket sales revenues. Wrong on the tv ratings.

http://predators.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=629247

As far as attendance goes, Nashville's arena only holds 17, 113. Even if they sold out every game they'd still be hovering around that same slot.

Correct on the ticket sales revenues. Wrong on the tv ratings.

http://predators.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=629247

As far as attendance goes, Nashville's arena only holds 17, 113. Even if they sold out every game they'd still be hovering around that same slot.
- Predaceous

Thanks for posting that. It's the same old story with some of these ridiculous naysayers. They post or state whatever fits their obvious and highly biased agenda in the hopes a few others will believe them and spread the lies. The truth be damned. Honesty and a small measure objectivity are completely alien concepts to them. Too bad.

Very interesting tweet

Flyers fan trying to troll Preds minority owner and Canadian billionaire Brett Wilson about the finances and he responds. Possible good news for the Preds.

http://www.ontheforecheck...nership-groups-ability-to

- kypredsfan

Well that shut them up.

Well we can always look at it this way...when something bad happens to another team we can all go be richards on their blog sights like the philly fans are doing to us!

Well we can always look at it this way...when something bad happens to another team we can all go be richards on their blog sights like the philly fans are doing to us!
- SouthNash

Don't take it as personal - Philly fans hate on everyone that isn't from Philly. It's almost expected...

Well we can always look at it this way...when something bad happens to another team we can all go be richards on their blog sights like the philly fans are doing to us!
- SouthNash

theres a million refs in their threads.

Penn State gets $60 million fine, vacates all wins from 1998-2011. Get a 4 year bowl ban.

That program is toast.

Penn State gets $60 million fine, vacates all wins from 1998-2011. Get a 4 year bowl ban.

That program is toast.
- MBFlyerfan

Wow, that is almost as bad as what happened to SMU. I bet any of us could tryout for PSU and make it at this point. I always wanted to play college football!

I agree.. but selection areas need to be more wisely selected. Having 2 teams in florida, one in Phx, one in Nashville, and so on isnt exactly the greatest of ideas..
- jak521

You are apparently unaware that the population of greater Philadelphia has been dropping since 1950 right?* Same with Buffalo, Baltimore, Cleveland, Milwaukee, Detroit, Providence, etc.
You are apparently also unaware of where all these "northern" folks are going (me included as I am ORIGINALLY from Philly and still wear my #16 proudly).....south.

There is a very important reason the NHL is in Phoenix(13th largest TV market), Nashville(29th largest TV market), Dallas(5th largest TV market), Miami(16th largest TV market), Tampa(14th largest TV market), and L.A./Anaheim(2nd largest TV market) and it is this: no way NBC gives the league all that money if its not in all those large and still growing media markets. NBC has no interest in a league that is limited to New York(#1), Philadelphia(#4), Washington(#8), Boston(#7), Detroit(#11), and Chicago(#3), despite their large sizes. (And by the way: St. Louis #21, Buffalo #51, Denver #17, Pittsburgh #23, Minneapolis #15, Carolina #24, Colombus #32)

I love when folks located mostly in Philly and Toronto call for retraction, go for it.

* Philadelphia saw a .6 population increase from 2010 to 2011, its first increase since 1950.

I think the Preds have no choice but to let Weber go. Sucks for the Nashville fans, but i really do think it's the wise move in the long run. Take the picks and move on. The best way for small/mid market teams like Nashville to compete, is to do it just like Nashville has been doing in the past. That is:

Playing a well coached, tightly structured, defense first system. Draft well. Avoid overpriced, big $ free agents. Be frugal, and hopefully you're good enough to be a playoff team most years. Then, every once in a while when you feel 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 smaller market team, the strategy could be a sound one.

Let Weber walk, take the picks, and reload. Having good young players on entry level contracts is very, very valuable...especially for the smaller 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? Hell, they might even be able to take their two first round picks in any given year and trade up to get into the top 3. Over time, a deal like ths could make them the next Oilers.

Walk away, just let him go. (frank) him and the Flyers.
- Ogilthorpe2

so, in other words, they become a feeder for the wealthier clubs?

would love to see this from poile: