Mixed signals in Weber saga
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.
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.
@tomfool - get your facts right when you are going to rip the writer. Dregen didn't say Homer is working on a trade for the picks. Nashville gets the picks if they don't match. Which Dregen calls a speculative view.— P Even- Can we please get an exculsive with Bill "The King" Conlin? You would think with all of the PSU coverage, the DN and Inky writers could make this happen.— cps147
- All this talk is great here we are nearing the end of July and we are all worked up about our FLYERS THIS IS GREAT!I LOVE IT! We have less than 48 hours to go and then we will see if Weber isa FLYER and he is made to be a FLYER for sure! I donot want to see Schenn or Couts go or Voracek or Mez either so Hommer needs to stand tall and say you take the 4 #1 or you get what we want to give you! Doan will cost too much and is 35 years old yes he will bring leadership but we have leadership already. We need to keep our young guys Jake needs to be resigned ASAP so hommer while we wait on Weber get Jake Signed already!— srcdaddy1216
- @mrjetsondc420
thanks for your insightful comments. please post more often. clown.— PhillyIllini - Dreger doesn't know jack,....he gets his story from Philly beat writers, and adds his perspective just like everyone else,.....Homer will do the right thing, he has a track record— SyddBarrett
- Why do you clowns always think you know that they've talked?— spittooncj
- The Preds match it. For all the Philly rump swabs who believe that Weber wants to play for the Flyers more than the Preds, keep thinking that. He prefers the quality of life in Nashville and Williamson County. He has a large ranch that he loves and loves the quality of life.
How does it feel to be used by a player wanting to force the issue with the team he really wants to stay with?— cmhop - Do you really think Weber is naive enough to believe that the Flyers couldn't structure a contract that Nashville couldn't match? If he didn't want to play here, he wouldn't have signed the offer sheet. What I read last week indicated that Weber told the Flyers NOT to offer a 1-yr deal because he KNEW N'ville would match that. Yup, that sounds like a guy that wants to stay where he is. — uncle meat
- Wow.. Weber has a large ranch that he loves? That changes EVERYTHING!
Holmgren should of done his homework!! (sarcastic smile)
— Nitroglycerin - I still say the Preds match. If the Flyers get Weber it should only be due to them not matching. If they give up Read, Voracek, or Couturier or any combo of players for Weber, they're nuts. Worst case scenerio is that they keep Weber in Nashville out of the line up of the Rags or Penguin's.— DrumsAndBeer
- Homer would be a fool to trade anyone. Give them the picks because you don't know where those picks will be in the draft and if it will be a good draft. Trading Voracheck, Read and or Schenn, is bad because we know what we have and that is talent. Keep them and see how they do this season and if you want to trade for someone or better picks next year then so be it.
Homer, PLEASE, let the 4 picks go and keep Jake, Read and BSchenn here.— LAFlyer - weber would be a great fit, its all we need other than maybe a goaltender... i bet we could trade bryz for that paterno statue, at least we know paterno will get behind the boys in the locker room??— kylebrunson1
- give up the picks and if your gonna trade mez, voraceck than trade 'em for bobby ryan... i would rather pay ryan 5 than voraceck and mez 4 each... dont get me wrong i like mez but we have 3 guys ready to battle for the 6 spot— kylebrunson1
- @DarrenDreger Nashville ownership is expected to meet again on Tuesday to determine what's best for the organization, however, many around the NHL don't believes the Preds will match and may instead use the compensatory draft picks as trade bait for roster players.
— nbean1013 - This would be a great time to unload Timmonen and Hartnell for old home week!— quigly46
