I think they will match it. It's pretty much in the range that everyone thought it was going to be, and the cap hit is pretty friendly. The one and ONLY item on this offer sheet that makes anyone pause is the bonus money, but it doesn't matter. Whether it's salary or bonus they said they were prepared to pay him. Now they need to back up their statements.
- Predaceous

This may be a dumb question because I'm not exactly rote on how these offers work, but does Nashville have the option to match the total of the contract or do they have to match the exact structure of it? ie. can they match the total years and dollars but pay it out differently?

I never said that, but the fact is that the season ticketholders prices are already locked in for the next two years at least. I also expect the new CBA to provide some relief where this contract is concerned, so I don't think it will be the burden everyone else thinks it is.

I also didn't say restructure. I'm talking about guys they sign from here on out. Guys like Wilson who will be paid much more in a few years than they're going to get right now. You balance out the contracts actual payments while keeping a tab on the cap.
- Predaceous

Why are season tickets locked in for the next two years? I understand next year, but I have season tickets and my family has had them since 1970 (in Phila). I have not witnessed prices being set two years in advance. I am not saying it is not possible, however.

Look at the structure of the contract. You will get no relief at least in the first 5 or 6 years. Its all bonus based. Rolling back salaries or the cap will not hurt Weber nor will it help the Flyers or Nash. Thus the reason why Weber signed the offersheet.

I'm sure it stings to be a Preds fan. I spent 3 days there last year and saw the Flyers loose in a decent game. Good fans. Amazing city, but its going to take a pretty big commitment from ownership to match and when you give it serious thought, it probably does not make sense to do so.

From a Flyers perspective he cannot go anywhere else, so they have nothing to lose here. Part of the goal with this offer sheet is to ensure the other beasts in the east can not get him.

This may be a dumb question because I'm not exactly rote on how these offers work, but does Nashville have the option to match the total of the contract or do they have to match the exact structure of it? ie. can they match the total years and dollars but pay it out differently?
- MnGump

They must match the contract exactly as it was signed by Weber.

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

I dont think either of these will happen, new york getting nash dosent mean they have to give up more than the 4 first, there are other defencmen out there for them to get, up the anty with another team and they are done. I sure Ana would listen to 4 first for bobby ryan. Or two and a player, who i feel is a better player than Nash.

Philly fans dreaming when they think they are getting the best Dman in the NHL for the next decade for scraps. It isn't happening. Canes fans thought the same thing of Jordan Staal because of outside factors, it didn't happen.

In the end you will have to pay. One of Schenn or Couturier plus more will be going the other way. Have to give to get.
- psoneill

$110 million over 14 years is scraps? $27 million in the first year alone is scraps?

Anybody got any of their unwanted scraps to send my way?

Those pieces won't be included. It's the main reason an offer sheet was extended to begin with.
- Predaceous

That was before the Nash deal.. Suddenly Philly has a bigger need to make this happen.. Throw in the fact that 75% of Flyer fans have penciled Weber in, sure would suck if you throw out an offer sheet only to have it matched.

Notice the 3 teams that have won the cup the last 3 years, all had a franchise type defensemen on them.

The dynamic has changed a bit since last Wednesday with New York adding Nas

When the Flyers had JVR I wonder if they ever included him in an offer to Nashville, seems if you threw him along with Voracek, and say Simmonds, you might have been able to pull this off..

My only reason to really disagree is simple.....Why didn't the Pred"s offer up something to this effect in the first place????Im sure its a question he will have to answer to ownership ...unless they don't have the $ to do it?
Or were they hoping they could get to the new CBA and a more friendly enviroment?
If it wasn't the Flyers I am 100 % sure the Rangers would have made a simular offer....As soon as Shea went out Poile's game of Chicken cost the organization.
Now we wait to see what it cost? $ or your captain...
- landros 2

I believe they offered something similar to Suter's years and dollars, but not with the bonus money. I really think the bonus money is the difference maker.

That was before the Nash deal.. Suddenly Philly has a bigger need to make this happen.. Throw in the fact that 75% of Flyer fans have penciled Weber in, sure would suck if you throw out an offer sheet only to have it matched.

Notice the 3 teams that have won the cup the last 3 years, all had a franchise type defensemen on them.

The dynamic has changed a bit since last Wednesday with New York adding Nash
- fsanford

they stole nash so now if they were to "trade" for weber, it won't be Schenn or Courturier in the deal. Rangers gave up an ok player in Dubinsky a potentially 20-25 goal scorer Anisimov and a defensive prospect. We should be able to get Weber for Voracek Meszaros MAB and 2 first rounders.

Why are season tickets locked in for the next two years? I understand next year, but I have season tickets and my family has had them since 1970 (in Phila). I have not witnessed prices being set two years in advance. I am not saying it is not possible, however.

Look at the structure of the contract. You will get no relief at least in the first 5 or 6 years. Its all bonus based. Rolling back salaries or the cap will not hurt Weber nor will it help the Flyers or Nash. Thus the reason why Weber signed the offersheet.

I'm sure it stings to be a Preds fan. I spent 3 days there last year and saw the Flyers loose in a decent game. Good fans. Amazing city, but its going to take a pretty big commitment from ownership to match and when you give it serious thought, it probably does not make sense to do so.

From a Flyers perspective he cannot go anywhere else, so they have nothing to lose here. Part of the goal with this offer sheet is to ensure the other beasts in the east can not get him.
- acmilano3

Preds have a 2/20 plan which lets you lock in your prices for two years and pay over 20 months. This is the last year of my 2/20 plan, but a month or so ago they sent a letter out to season ticket holders allowing them to extend into the next season if they opted to. My ticket price went up around $3, but the price is set. The only ones who will have to pay more are the walk-up buyers.

I dont think either of these will happen, new york getting nash dosent mean they have to give up more than the 4 first, there are other defencmen out there for them to get, up the anty with another team and they are done. I sure Ana would listen to 4 first for bobby ryan. Or two and a player, who i feel is a better player than Nash.
- dav12389

I would agree that the Flyers should have to give up Court as Weber is the best or second best d in the league and maybe has not even hit is prime yet, but it would have happened already. Maybe they part with a Schenn. Maybe, but the big kid down the middle is going nowhere. I also think parting with Coburn would not be to the Flyers liking, but the Preds should be requesting him to be included.

Mesz was the Flyers best dman two years ago. Vor or Read are both very good two way wingers who can play on the top line. Read has a nice contract. Mesz, Vor or Read, Two first rounders and a prospect (Borbon, Gustifson or Cousins). This is fair or at least close.

They must match the contract exactly as it was signed by Weber.
- acmilano3

Next dumb question... Can they counter with a bigger contract? ie. more money long term with less bonus money short term?

Preds have a 2/20 plan which lets you lock in your prices for two years and pay over 20 months. This is the last year of my 2/20 plan, but a month or so ago they sent a letter out to season ticket holders allowing them to extend into the next season if they opted to. My ticket price went up around $3, but the price is set. The only ones who will have to pay more are the walk-up buyers.
- Predaceous

Thanks. There's my answer.

I suppose that might be tough on ownership now in this scenario, however.

Next dumb question... Can they counter with a bigger contract? ie. more money long term with less bonus money short term?
- MnGump

Nope! The contract is signed. Either they match or he goes to Philly. Either way those are the terms.

Thanks. There's my answer.

I suppose that might be tough on ownership now in this scenario, however.
- acmilano3

I don't think so. They said they were planning on spending to the cap which is in the area of $70M. After the CBA it probably won't be that high. Besides, our walk-up prices can get crazy. I saw two seats in front of me, for the playoffs, that were being sold by Ticketmaster for over $300. My seat is in the upper bowl, three rows from the rail, right on the blue line. Attack twice side. I love those seats, but they are not $300 seats.

Btw, they were sold.

Only 2 options....

1. Match it

2. Dont match - get the 4 picks - trade the 4 picks back to PHI for Schenn, Schenn, Couturier & pick

Make an offer for Franson
Sign Wilson
Fisher is "C" with an extension
Make Gill & Leggy "A"
Sign Colaiacovo



Forget Coutourier or Schenn.....not happening! !!
$26 MILLION in 1 year is nuts for this team.
- buelleo

I would agree that the Flyers should have to give up Court as Weber is the best or second best d in the league and maybe has not even hit is prime yet, but it would have happened already. Maybe they part with a Schenn. Maybe, but the big kid down the middle is going nowhere. I also think parting with Coburn would not be to the Flyers liking, but the Preds should be requesting him to be included.

Mesz was the Flyers best dman two years ago. Vor or Read are both very good two way wingers who can play on the top line. Read has a nice contract. Mesz, Vor or Read, Two first rounders and a prospect (Borbon, Gustifson or Cousins). This is fair or at least close.
- acmilano3

This makes sense. Wonder if Timos name was mentioned. He probably has two good years left. His contract is up next year, but he helps them reach the cap minimum. Not saying at this point he carries a ton of value, but the name might be sellable to the Nashville fan base. Obviously, the Flyers would still have to give up the other pieces minus Mesz.

So you think they are dropping 26 mill over the next year and prices will not increase? How do you restructure or get creative with contracts in the NHL? This is not the NFL. You sign a deal and thats it.

You don't think this is going to impact their ability to sign other players and remain competitive?

Signing Weber will require sacrifices from ownership, management and yes you the fans.
- acmilano3

I'm so glad we have fans of other teams to tell us what to think. You know, I could never process all this "business" mumbo-jumbo without "joe-fan" from a traditional market to tell me how to do it.

Thanks, brainiac!

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.

Preds have a 2/20 plan which lets you lock in your prices for two years and pay over 20 months. This is the last year of my 2/20 plan, but a month or so ago they sent a letter out to season ticket holders allowing them to extend into the next season if they opted to. My ticket price went up around $3, but the price is set. The only ones who will have to pay more are the walk-up buyers.
- Predaceous

Those who opted in for the extension last month are not only set for this upcoming season at last year's prices but also for the '13/'14 season at prices that will be less than what STH's will pay going forward. Locked-in identical prices for '11/'12 & '12/'13 plus '13/'14 at a relatively small increase means we were able to effectively sign up for three years.

Pretty smart marketing move by the Preds and good for those who will always sign up, assuming they can fog the mirror and pay the freight.

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

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...

I don't think so. They said they were planning on spending to the cap which is in the area of $70M. After the CBA it probably won't be that high. Besides, our walk-up prices can get crazy. I saw two seats in front of me, for the playoffs, that were being sold by Ticketmaster for over $300. My seat is in the upper bowl, three rows from the rail, right on the blue line. Attack twice side. I love those seats, but they are not $300 seats.

Btw, they were sold.
- Predaceous

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......

Philly fans dreaming when they think they are getting the best Dman in the NHL for the next decade for scraps. It isn't happening. Canes fans thought the same thing of Jordan Staal because of outside factors, it didn't happen.

In the end you will have to pay. One of Schenn or Couturier plus more will be going the other way. Have to give to get.
- psoneill

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!!!

I'm so glad we have fans of other teams to tell us what to think. You know, I could never process all this "business" mumbo-jumbo without "joe-fan" from a traditional market to tell me how to do it.

Thanks, brainiac!
- wings-suck

Seriously...doesn't seem to matter that most of us are northern transplants that grew up with Hockey (original 6er here folks)

Those who opted in for the extension last month are not only set for this upcoming season at last year's prices but also for the '13/'14 season at prices that will be less than what STH's will pay going forward. Locked-in identical prices for '11/'12 & '12/'13 plus '13/'14 at a relatively small increase means we were able to effectively sign up for three years.

Pretty smart marketing move by the Preds and good for those who will always sign up, assuming they can fog the mirror and pay the freight.
- blueline

It was prior to having to drop 26 mill on Weber. Now how do they recoup that revenue?

Are the playoff increases locked in? Meaning every year NHL teams decide what percentage increase their fans will pay per round. Is that locked in as well?

Other questions would include tv money and luxery boxes, but that is for greater minds than me. How can they increase revenues there?

If they do indead match. The money has to come from somewhere. 7 days is not a lot of time for these conversations to take place.

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

And this here from our accountant!!!