I don't recall Weber being hurt last season. He played all 48 games, although he did take a puck to the eye earlier this season.

But Nashville's defensive corps were not that bad last season. Weber, Klein, Josi, Ellis.

Suter really stepped up, Weber struggled to get his groove back.
- Jsaquella

It was an offseason injury, I can't remember what it was, just reading that he started the season hurt (much like Giroux this year, but less publicized). And Weber had a down year for sure, but, although better than the Flyers' defense, Minnesota's defense (and offense) were clearly superior to Nashville's.

It was an offseason injury, I can't remember what it was, just reading that he started the season hurt (much like Giroux this year, but less publicized). And Weber had a down year for sure, but, although better than the Flyers' defense, Minnesota's defense (and offense) were clearly superior to Nashville's.
- jmatchett383

Since being split up, Suter has played better than Weber. That's after taking into account their respective teams and pairings. From the start of last season, Suter has been the better defenseman. We will see what happens in the future, but, to me, Suter looks like the better player.

My hatred for it exceeds yours - bold! HATE IT!
- Scoob

I don't mind it so much--best players representing their country and all--but that it is mid-season is asinine.

Just play ice hockey in the summer games. Let me focus more on curling.

Since being split up, Suter has played better than Weber. That's after taking into account their respective teams and pairings. From the start of last season, Suter has been the better defenseman. We will see what happens in the future, but, to me, Suter looks like the better player.
- PhillySportsGuy

Again, over the last 85 games or so, yes, Suter has been better. His TOI is damn impressive, for sure. But, for my money, I'll take the guy who can flip the switch and become The Incredible Hulk at times while being a premier defender.

It was an offseason injury, I can't remember what it was, just reading that he started the season hurt (much like Giroux this year, but less publicized). And Weber had a down year for sure, but, although better than the Flyers' defense, Minnesota's defense (and offense) were clearly superior to Nashville's.
- jmatchett383

Absolutely, Minnesota had a better team, but their defense wasn't markedly better. Suter's level of play actually got better when he left Weber, and if Weber's struggles were injury based, that's understandable.

But it's hard to deny that Suter has played even better after leaving the Preds than he did while there.

Absolutely, Minnesota had a better team, but their defense wasn't markedly better. Suter's level of play actually got better when he left Weber, and if Weber's struggles were injury based, that's understandable.

But it's hard to deny that Suter has played even better after leaving the Preds than he did while there.
- Jsaquella

Not denying that Suter's played better, but...well, see post above.

Again, over the last 85 games or so, yes, Suter has been better. His TOI is damn impressive, for sure. But, for my money, I'll take the guy who can flip the switch and become The Incredible Hulk at times while being a premier defender.
- jmatchett383

The thing with Weber is that he looks like the better player because he does the things that fans LOVE. He can hit like a truck, he can really fire the puck and he plays with a mean streak. These are all good things, but Suter does all the little things that get unnoticed. He's a lot like Timonen. Weber does a lot of little things too. He's a great defenseman. I just think Suter makes his team better.

Since being split up, Suter has played better than Weber. That's after taking into account their respective teams and pairings. From the start of last season, Suter has been the better defenseman. We will see what happens in the future, but, to me, Suter looks like the better player.
- PhillySportsGuy

And one other point; if memory serves me correctly, Weber has a history of a slow start. His goal total stagnated for something like 20 games in late October-November, and he's picked it up since. With only a 48-game season, and an inury (I want to say it was an arm), it would make sense.

We'll see over the course of the next few seasons I guess. I'd gladly take either for $8.5M.

Let me focus more on curling.
- Moose_15

Why is that event so dang captivating?

Why is that event so dang captivating?

- Scoob

Because it always features 4 Swedish women huddling around.

And one other point; if memory serves me correctly, Weber has a history of a slow start. His goal total stagnated for something like 20 games in late October-November, and he's picked it up since. With only a 48-game season, and an inury (I want to say it was an arm), it would make sense.

We'll see over the course of the next few seasons I guess. I'd gladly take either for $8.5M.
- jmatchett383

I would take either one for $10M.

I think Weber will finish with more goals. Although, Suter just had a Hatty the other night.

If there is no Read and Raffl is on the 4th line…That means Rinaldo is on the third line instead of Raffl.
- PhillySportsGuy

doesn't it just mean either rinaldo or rosehill is sitting?

Again, over the last 85 games or so, yes, Suter has been better. His TOI is damn impressive, for sure. But, for my money, I'll take the guy who can flip the switch and become The Incredible Hulk at times while being a premier defender.
- jmatchett383

Well, if we're looking for the Incredible Hulk--I think Weber is the "more angry" of the two.

Because it always features 4 Swedish women huddling around.
- jmatchett383

Good point. Iirc, the Canada team was stocked with hotties, too, in 2010.

The thing with Weber is that he looks like the better player because he does the things that fans LOVE. He can hit like a truck, he can really fire the puck and he plays with a mean streak. These are all good things, but Suter does all the little things that get unnoticed. He's a lot like Timonen. Weber does a lot of little things too. He's a great defenseman. I just think Suter makes his team better.
- PhillySportsGuy

Just a little story from my trip to Nashville last year:
We went to a Stars/Preds game (thought it might be last chance to see Jagr). In the second period, Weber took a stick to the face and there was no call. Even from my seat, I could just see something flip inside of him. About 10 seconds later, a Stars player came down his wall. The player was literally launched backwards through the air about 2 feet from the hit. The puck then came to the slot, and Weber gave the guy a forearm to the mouth and dropped him like a sack of potatoes loaded with cement.

Not a clear-cut reason why he's better than Suter, but he sure is damn intimidating when he gets going.

And one other point; if memory serves me correctly, Weber has a history of a slow start. His goal total stagnated for something like 20 games in late October-November, and he's picked it up since. With only a 48-game season, and an inury (I want to say it was an arm), it would make sense.

We'll see over the course of the next few seasons I guess. I'd gladly take either for $8.5M.
- jmatchett383

Tough to put together a roster to start next season with an $8.5m defenseman on the team. That'll be the case till Pronger is off the books.

The Flyers are better now (although I remember people claiming the season was a wash a month and a half ago). But I still think the Eagles have trouble with other teams' short game. Even the second game against Washington, once Washington went to the ground game late, they couldn't stop it. And these little dink-and-dunk passes go to wide open receivers. They're a decent-at-best defense, and I think a good linebacker could solve a lot of issues.
- jmatchett383

They need an impact OLB, like an Aldon Smith type not going to be easy to find but its possible to draft one in the first round. That and another really solid safety and that defense will be very good.

Well, if we're looking for the Incredible Hulk--I think Weber is the "more angry" of the two.


- Moose_15

Exactly. I think he's the most fearsome player in the league.

Tough to put together a roster to start next season with an $8.5m defenseman on the team. That'll be the case till Pronger is off the books.
- Feanor

Suter plays, literally, half the game. When you look at salary in terms of TOI, he is well worth $8.5M. The deal will be a steal in a few years when players are getting $10M

Just a little story from my trip to Nashville last year:
We went to a Stars/Preds game (thought it might be last chance to see Jagr). In the second period, Weber took a stick to the face and there was no call. Even from my seat, I could just see something flip inside of him. About 10 seconds later, a Stars player came down his wall. The player was literally launched backwards through the air about 2 feet from the hit. The puck then came to the slot, and Weber gave the guy a forearm to the mouth and dropped him like a sack of potatoes loaded with cement.

Not a clear-cut reason why he's better than Suter, but he sure is damn intimidating when he gets going.
- jmatchett383

I know he's intimidating. I would still rather have Suter. I feel he increases the chances to win. Weber will be more entertaining to say the least.

Tough to put together a roster to start next season with an $8.5m defenseman on the team. That'll be the case till Pronger is off the books.
- Feanor

With the 10% off season allowance, they could have done just fine. They wouldn't have had to sign Streit and probably wouldn't have had Vinny, or they would have added Vinny and moved a guy like Simmonds, or they wouldn't have resigned Timonen...so many possibilities.

Why is that event so dang captivating?

- Scoob

I do not know.

But I will watch. Oh yes, I will watch.

They need an impact OLB, like an Aldon Smith type not going to be easy to find but its possible to draft one in the first round. That and another really solid safety and that defense will be very good.
- Just5

Trent Murphy. BEAST

With the 10% off season allowance, they could have done just fine. They wouldn't have had to sign Streit and probably wouldn't have had Vinny, or they would have added Vinny and moved a guy like Simmonds, or they wouldn't have resigned Timonen...so many possibilities.
- jmatchett383

They wouldn't have traded JVR for Schenn…

Edit: Dominoes

They wouldn't have traded JVR for Schenn…

Edit: Dominoes
- PhillySportsGuy

Sarcasm? Because that was before the OS.