weber's first choice is philly... listen to the interview w/ weber's agent

[RPMcMurphy]

Just went on TSN and listened to the interview with Weber's agent. Weber's agent refers to Suter as his "little defense partner" any hard feelings perhaps? Weber thought Suter would resign with Nashville and was ready to give it another go. Weber was miffed when Suter didn't resign... At that point, after a few days processsing what happened, it was clear he wanted out, was ready to move on, etc. Keep in mind that Nashville tried to keep Weber long term with low ball offers- 4.75 mil ... in the past. Weber has had plenty of chances to resign w/ Nashville, Nashville has had plenty of time to lock him up on a deal, to no avail. Weber visited other teams, including the Rangers, but thought Philly was the best fit. He wants to play in Philly, only question is whether Homer gives them a player or two, and Nashville give the Flyers a pick or two back(of their own first round picks over 4 years back), oy Philly says, "here's your four firsts." Why would Nashville make a major financial commitment to a guy that wants to move on, pay him 26 mil in one year, and then be faced with the prospect of Weber asking for a trade a year from now? Maybe Homer sweetens the deal by giving a player to nashville to make them save face, sell the fans as to not matching, etc. We'll see. But if a player wants to play somewhere (i.e. Stall), take the high road and get as much as you can get and move on. I think in the end Weber is a Flyer. Only question is if we pull a "Graton" and offer Nashville a package for some of our 4 1rst round picks back. Thoughts?

[Polaris922]

I could see Nashville doing it for a couple quality young players and a couple picks but not just picks alone. I sure wouldn't do it. I'd match just to spite Holmgren. But hey, I'm a spiteful fella when someone puts the screws to me like happened here. Calculated risk by Holmgren that just might work.

Edited July 20, 2012 by Polaris922

[AJgoal]

Polaris, it doesn't work like that. The signing bonus is paid on July 1, and they can't trade him until sometime between July 18 or July 25, depending on when they match. So it's 27 million to Nashville. No way around that.

[AJgoal]

"It seemed that Nashville took a step backwards, and that the next year or two would be a rebuilding year"

"If you sign an offer sheet, I think that's the direction you're pointing"

"He'd be another piece to the puzzle in Philly, and they wouldn't be going through a rebuilding season."

Yeah, sounds like he prefers to leave, though the agent tried to couch his words a little.

[OSR29]

The Preds have to match or make a trade for roster players, prospects and picks combined. They can´t lose him for just 4 low 1st rounders. If Weber comes to Philly (God, I hope so), we have to brace ourself for losing two of our younger forwards. Voracek, Read, B. Schenn and Couturier. Maybe young defensemen like L. Schenn, Gus and even Bourdon could be part of a package. The Preds have to try to make a trade for getting the richest return possible. Do they want to shell out all that cash for a player that obviously wants to come to Philly and wants out of Nashville? And being on the hook for all the $$ the 1st year of the contract, regardless if hockey is played or not...not sure, kind of doubt it. I think the Flyers are trying to force Nashville into a trade

[SgtMikal31]

...only question is whether Homer gives them a player or two, and Nashville give the Flyers a pick or two back(of their own first round picks over 4 years back...

I'm not 100% sure about this, but I thought that they changed this rule, so that a team is not allowed to reacquire draft picks that they originally lost as compensation? Can anyone else confirm??

[PuckMeister]

OSR 29

I respect your point of view, but I differ with you and some others who have posted that the Flyers will trade some players to help Nashville save face. My understanding is that the Flyers tried to work out a trade and possibly some other teams did as well but the Preds refused the offers. Hence, the Flyers owe them nothing and hold the better hand. Now, if the Flyers are so inclined to move players/salary, then I'd offer some players from the Phantoms who seem to not be developing beyoung the the present level or who have a slim chance of making the Flyers' roster. Brandon Manning and Lauridson both D and probably will never see Philly ice. Harry Z. is one demensional, Ty McGinn is slow but has good hands, Shane Harper, and Luke Pither should also be considered and these are just suggestions. I don't move MAB, Gus, or Holmstrom because we always need replacement parts due to injuries. Gus is Timos eventual replacement and MAB is first call up. Anyway, I think you get my drift. Have a great day.

[SgtMikal31]

...And being on the hook for all the $$ the 1st year of the contract, regardless if hockey is played or not...

I'm fairly certain that if there is a lockout (or a strike, for that matter) that salaries and bonuses are not paid.

[AJgoal]

@SgtMikal31 I don't think so. I do, however, believe the rule is that once reacquired, the picks can not be used as part of a future offer sheet.

[SgtMikal31]

@SgtMikal31 I don't think so. I do, however, believe the rule is that once reacquired, the picks can not be used as part of a future offer sheet.

Gotcha...thanx for clarifying.

[Polaris922]

Polaris, it doesn't work like that. The signing bonus is paid on July 1, and they can't trade him until sometime between July 18 or July 25, depending on when they match. So it's 27 million to Nashville. No way around that.

I just edited my post after researching and learning that. SOrry I edited before your reply refreshed on my iPhone. LOL thanks though for the correction! I was trying to find it!

[King Knut]

Homer tried to play nice several times.

I'd be ticked if I were Poille or a Preds fan, but facts are facts. This is what it was going to take to keep Weber beyond this season because this is what people were going to throw at him next off season... well as much of this as the new CBA will allow anyway, which is a different though not unrelated story.

Weber knows that because of the CBA demands ( 5 years maximum on new contracts supposedly) this will be his last chance to make a huge pay day like this. Hell, it'll be everyone's last chance to make a huge pay day like this.

Next year Homer will literally only be able offer a fraction of this (as will any other GM). It benefits smaller market teams, but it damages the players and their earning potential.

I'm not sure paying this much for a single guy is EVER a good idea (which is why I'm totally against any Rick Nash deal). but if anyone is worth it, Weber's probably the guy.

Seeing the demands of the league from the new CBA (a debate that ironically homer is forced to side with the league and the other gms and presidents on), Homer and Snider know that if this will probably be their last chance to make Weber an offer he can't refuse.

Sucks for Nashville, but really, the Preds options are: A) Sign him and bankrupt your team and hope you recoup sometime over the next 14 years. or B) Stay solvent, lose him and take double the draft picks for the next 4 years and use them and your extra cash to build a team in the new era in which no one will ever cost as much as Weber will cost you right now.

Personally, it is a bitter pill, but any half smart business man would tell you, you gotta go with choice B. Signing Weber now just doesn't make any sense for Poile. It only makes sense for Homer because Snyder has the money to throw at him up front without risking bankruptcy.

[AndyS]

I'd MUCH rather lose the 4 picks.

But I'd be OK dealing Read, Voracek & picks.

[AndyS]

I'm fairly certain that if there is a lockout (or a strike, for that matter) that salaries and bonuses are not paid.

Wrong. The bonuses are guaranteed. That's the beauty part of this offer & a big reason why the Preds can't/won't match it.

[King Knut]

OSR 29

My understanding is that the Flyers tried to work out a trade and possibly some other teams did as well but the Preds refused the offers. Hence, the Flyers owe them nothing and hold the better hand.

Totally agree. It ain't pretty, but that's the business. What's more, now that the Flyers have put their chips on the table as far as Weber's and his Agent are concerned, there's no reason for them to go backward if The Preds decide they'd rather have one of those deals back.

Knowing homer and Snider, I could see some sort of "future considerations" deal eventually headed Nashville's way, but probably not for anyone actually on the NHL roster.

[Mad Dog]

I'd MUCH rather lose the 4 picks.

But I'd be OK dealing Read, Voracek & picks.

That won't be the most favorable scenario for the Flyers, though. The offense is already weakened with JVR and Jagr gone. And I don't even consider Fedotenko as a viable addition; he is basically a non-factor.

So if signing Weber means losing even more offense at this juncture, I just don't see how the Flyers are better off. I mean the opportunity to land someone of Weber's caliber comes once in a lifetime, and I am thirilled with having a mere thought of Weber wearing the O&B uniform, but who is going to score goals? The Flyers need offense as much as they need defense. You can't put all eggs in one basket and expect to go far.

Edited July 20, 2012 by Mad Dog

[PuckMeister]

Mad Dog,

I understand your concern for the offense, but I think there are others who will score more. Having Rusty on the team means at least 4 less losses since each time we played against him, he tightened the screws a little more. I never understood why we didn't keep him and I think he is a little more than a viable addition. Couts and Schenn should make up for the loss of the disinterested one and the departure of Jagr. Of course, Bryz-bye in net will save us from any loss of goal scoring!!

[SgtMikal31]

Keep in mind also that Weber scored 19 goals last year. Isn't that the same number that Jagr scored last year? JVR was injured a lot last year, and I don't think that he was even in double-digits. What this means is that not as much offense was lost as what people are making it out to be.

in addition, having Weber means more 3-2 games, and fewer 6-5 games. They might not score quite as many total goals as they did last year, but I believe they will give up far fewer than they did last year.

[TedZep]

The Flyers need offense as much as they need defense. You can't put all eggs in one basket and expect to go far.

Just take a look at this past year, but in reverese. The offense was phenomenal, but without Pronger and the other injuries the defense was considerably less so. Doing a complete 180 is just the same boat going a different direction.

[Mad Dog]

Just take a look at this past year, but in reverese. The offense was phenomenal, but without Pronger and the other injuries the defense was considerably less so. Doing a complete 180 is just the same boat going a different direction.

Exactly! And I don't want people to get the wrong idea.... I love Weber's game (who doesn't?) and would be absolutely ecstatic if the Flyers are able to land him. But if this means losing multiple forwards, especially young and effective ones like B Schenn, Couturier, and Voracek, after we already lost JVR and Jagr, I would not be in favor of that at all. What exactly would the Flyers be gaining in this scenario?

[Mad Dog]

Mad Dog,

Couts and Schenn should make up for the loss of the disinterested one and the departure of Jagr.

OK.... but that's assuming that Couts and Schenn are not part of this suggested deal. And I am still a bit leery of even losing Voracek and Reed, to tell you the truth. That would be 4 forwards the Flyers would lose this off-season, while adding only Fedotenko, who'll liklely score 11 goals tops.

If the Flyers lose 2 forwards in this, they better find ways to bring some quality offense back through some other means (free agency, trades, etc.).

[jackhole]

But I'd be OK dealing Read, Voracek & picks.

I'd rather not. It has to be some defensive players moving as Nash has 2 major holes now and Philly has 8-10 good to mid range defensmen in the system. Plus they'll need some salary to meet the cap floor. I'd hate the thought, but Timmo could be a casualty in this situation. We could also spare a centerman as we are perpetually log jammed there as well. But wing, we are thin on the wing and we need players to pop in those sweet Giroux passes

[jammer2]

@jackhole Any deal would have to include Lilja and his +35 contract...just a part of any deal, but Nash has cap space and gives us flexibility.