Mixed signals in Weber saga
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Flyers Report: Broad Street Bull
Mixed signals in Weber saga
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
As this is being written, there are a little less than 48 hours until Nashville has to make a decision on whether to match the Flyers' bold,14-year, $110 million offer to star defenseman Shea Weber.
There are mixed signals being sent.
The fact that Nashville has not talked to Weber since he signed the offer sheet Wednesday leads one to believe the Predators are not going to sign the restricted free agent.
Then again, if Nashville wasn't going to match the offer, wouldn't it be having daily conversations with Flyers GM Paul Holmgren about trying to make a deal _ and getting more value than the four No. 1 draft picks as compensation?
Holmgren and Nashville GM David Poile have had just one conversation since Weber signed the offer sheet.
The Flyers would not confirm or deny whispers that a trade was NOT discussed during that conversation. (If it wasn’t, then Nashville probably plans to sign him.)
The deadline is Wednesday night at 11:30. That gives both sides less than two days to try to work out a deal. Or not.
One wonders if the New York Rangers acquiring standout winger Rick Nash on Monday will cause Holmgren to offer Nashville a trade package that is sweeter than he originally wanted to present.
If Holmgren doesn't land Weber, the Flyers will be 0 for 3 in trying to lure marquee free agents to Philly this summer. This one would hurt the most because Weber WANTS to be a Flyer _ and because he is a bigger difference- maker than Zach Parise or Ryan Suter, each of whom signed with Minnesota.
One last thing: Nashville, a source said, offered Suter a 13-year, $85 million deal earlier this month. Weber’s contract is a bit steeper, but it includes $27 million in the first calendar year and $68 million in the first five years.
That has caused the Predators’ 10-member ownership group to pause and see if it can afford the contract and all its ramifications.
The clock is ticking.
Follow Sam Carchidi on Twitter @BroadStBull.
Well, just to get the proper mojo going, I've been regularly using my Weber grill ever since he signed the offer sheet.— ICDogg- This is exactly the kind of devotion and innovative thinking that makes me proud to be a Flyers fan and a grilling fan.
— 1980 - No way Nashville matches, every single point to the contrary leads back to Irrationality...some points I've seen, well the hardcore fans will be upset 1. Hardcore fans of nashville don't want them to swallow this poison pill because A. Leaves no room for improvement bc of the salary so what you essentially have is a team that's worse than last year (on paper) and have no ways to improve B. Have seen their franchise use their draft picks well C.The casual fans in Nashville couldn't give a damn, they just wanna see Some dudes ice skate (the argument that casual fans won't care anymore is ludicrous....2. Nashville hAs said they'll match...A. Ownership never said that the GM did...when was the last time GM of any small market team overrides the decision of the guy cutting the checks? Never...argument 3. Nashville can't let be bullied around...A. A trade is likely in order to save face B. Their used to it, just ask a real Preds fans...Nashville should be commended it if they get Voracek and Mez, the Experts saying Nash has no choice to match are deluded, they live in a world of fantasy money, while the Preds scratch and claw to survive every year (the team still isint profitable)...The only ones who think the Preds will match are the DUMB Nashville fans and writers who think that whatever the GM says or even the ownership in some cases (I'm assuming) is fact...o yea they said they're gonna so they deff will bc poille has integrity...HOMER said we werent interested in signing Weber but here we are...basically I've been watching and reading everything literally these past couple days and the arguments in favor of Nashville resigning Weber are ill though and simply irrational....end of rant— Joey1233
- Reason away, it still looks like they will go against financial reason and find a way to do it because he's all they have left.
- Last point, of Nashville does match, they face the real fact of termination, if ONE contract can even lead to the question of 'Can we survive this' then the only responsible thing to do is bow out...Poille isint stupid, but I guess we'll find that out soon.— Joey1233
- Sam's clueless as usual. TSN reporter Darren Dreger (who actually KNOWS something about hockey & trades & was the 1st guy to break the Nash trade) is reporting basically that the Nashville people r meeting Tom to discuss further and that Homer might be willing to work a trade for the picks bc Nashville will then be able to use them to acquire players. If only Sammy here had any legit sources in the Flyers' front office maybe he wouldn't have to waste our time with useless drivel such as what he's written here. I love that a TSN reporter has better & more informed sources of info than a beat reporter who supposedly "covers" the team. But then again it just provides more evidence that Sam knows jack squat about hockey so I'm ok with it.— thomaspfoolery
- It seems the Preds management is discussing all possible ways of matching the offer before they finally have to give in to Holmgren's pressure. How on earth are they able to afford such a hefty contract? Only if they find a new sponsor/new sponsors willing to throw a lot of money out of the window. Not going to happen to a team stuck in mediocrity for the foreseeable future. Another reason for the Preds to keep mum so far may be the Nash trade, which puts some pressure on Homer to counter with another star player pickup on the Flyers' side of things. They may have known from some source how far the Rangers and Jackets were into the negotiating process, and simply waited out for things to unfoild. Now the ball is in their backyard if they want to get a deal done from a position of more strength.— flyerdommo
- This comment has been deleted.— mrjetsondc420
Comment removed.- Rangers signing of Nash doesnt help the Flyers ...I am sure Nashville will feel that the Flyers are now more desperate..Homer has to stand his ground...give them none of the young players ..the Rangers stole NASH and did not give away any pieces...Its going to be interesting because I also cant see Nashville not signing him if all they get are draft choices..Call their bluff Homer but Rangers just got dramatically better..Nash to Rangers = Weber to Flyers..He is exactly what they needed just like Weber is for us.— flyers1000
- Since all this guessing is just that, speculation, here's a thought: Isn't it likely that the rags just finalized the deal for nash because they (being insiders) know that Weber will be a Flyer? That seems just as logical, if not more, than the theory that the Flyers now have to up the offer for a "Gratton" deal simply because the rags got a top-notch power forward.— mikeyo27
- "rags just finalized the deal for nash because they (being insiders) know that Weber will be a Flyer?"
You need look no further than what the R's gave up to get Nash. Why wouldn't they make that deal - a star player for peanuts?— PhillySnowball - Please do not work out a deal for players unless absolutely have to. I do not want to trade Read who makes 900K or 22 year old Voracek.
I do not think we will be able to afford Doan but how about bringing in Arnott and Langkow? Both good on faceoffs and will score about 40 goals for us. Arnott will center 4th line with Fedotenko and Talbot. CConvince Langkow to play wing.
— Nitroglycerin - It will be just one more reason to hate the Rangers if the R. Nash deal means the Flyers end up giving up more in a trade. I realize they don't HAVE to do anything except give up the picks, just sayin'...— uncle meat
