Poile was never bluffing. He was only doing what any good GM would do under the circumstances when it came to their franchise player and that is announce to the hockey world that they aren't going to lie down if an offer sheet is signed.

Nash knew they were vulnerable to a front end loaded offer like the one Homer dropped on them but hoped no one would put it together. That's just part and parcel to a small market team trying to survive in any sport. Now that one is on the table, Nash's brass has a hard decision to make - take a possibly devastating financial hit or a huge PR hit which would also have financial implications -and it's going to take a little time.
- 77rams

Its a risky bluff though, especially since Homer is dealing from the position of strength.
They can walk away, leaving nashville to foot a very heavy bill.
- the deaninator

The Flyers don't want to walk away. They want Weber obviously.

I doubt you'll see that. Those feelings have been made known. Nothing to gain by pushing that further.
- MJL

not so sure of that. If Weber himself comes out and expresses it, the fans might start being against matching

naaw man i meant they arent likely to get a lot for a guy that wants out.
- Philly1980

then the Lindros trade was a terrible example because Quebec got a poop ton for him.

Poile is taking a lot of criticism here, and I'm not sure that it's warranted. He's been in a gun fight with a water pistol. He's at a poker table with a short stack. the big stack always bullies the short stack. Even if he's an equal player to his opponent.
- MJL

The only criticism he could be guilty of is if he had an opportunity to sign Weber at some point earlier but dragged his feet.

But outside Poile, Weber and his agent, who really knows if he even had been given the opportunity?

Poile is taking a lot of criticism here, and I'm not sure that it's warranted. He's been in a gun fight with a water pistol. He's at a poker table with a short stack. the big stack always bullies the short stack. Even if he's an equal player to his opponent.
- MJL

I completely agree.. Its exactly what I said earlier... If there is anyone who should be taking heat its the owners. They havent allowed him to be a competitive GM.

The only criticism he could be guilty of is if he had an opportunity to sign Weber at some point earlier but dragged his feet.

But outside Poile, Weber and his agent, who really knows if he even had been given the opportunity?
- 77rams

Taking him to arbitration, and comparing him to Yandle And Byfuglien to try and save a couple million probably ticked him off just a little bit

Taking him to arbitration, and comparing him to Yandle And Byfuglien to try and save a couple million probably ticked him off just a little bit
- the deaninator

Working with what he had probably..

coots' pedigree was much higher. at one point, he was considered a candidate for first overall. many saw Laughton as a borderline 1st rnder, more like an early 2nd.
- isaiah520

what's your beef with full words, bro?

then the Lindros trade was a terrible example because Quebec got a poop ton for him.
- jak521

No dude when the flyers traded him to the rags after all the bad blod.

No dude when the flyers traded him to the rags after all the bad blod.
- Philly1980

After all the injury concerns and negativity? Still a different situation. You are talking about a guy who had career question marks, was seen as a diva, and down right refused and was at odds with the franchise.

Weber is just entering his prime, is THE BEST D-man in the league, and isnt at odd with or refusing to play for his team.

not so sure of that. If Weber himself comes out and expresses it, the fans might start being against matching
- Crimsoninja

I feel Nashville probably already knows their decision

After all the injury concerns and negativity? Still a different situation. You are talking about a guy who had career question marks, was seen as a diva, and down right refused and was at odds with the franchise.

Weber is just entering his prime, is THE BEST D-man in the league, and isnt at odd with or refusing to play for his team.
- jak521

Then why is his agent spewing all this poison?

Poile is taking a lot of criticism here, and I'm not sure that it's warranted. He's been in a gun fight with a water pistol. He's at a poker table with a short stack. the big stack always bullies the short stack. Even if he's an equal player to his opponent.
- MJL

He deserves all of it. Poile did a piss poor job of managing his assets, his # 1 job, and he'll be fired soon enough because of it. Maybe he can join the Flyers ranks a la Lombardi.

Both Suter & Weber got to this point because Poile was afraid to make a decision one way or the other. Put his blind faith that Suter would re-sign, after he refused all season, and let Weber get to RFA ignorant of the fact that 29 other GMs would not throw an offer sheet on the table. Poiles offseason strategy was strictly based on hope.

He deserves all of it. Poile did a piss poor job of managing his assets, his # 1 job, and he'll be fired soon enough because of it. Maybe he can join the Flyers ranks a la Lombardi.

Both Suter & Weber got to this point because Poile was afraid to make a decision one way or the other. Put his blind faith that Suter would re-sign, after he refused all season, and let Weber get to RFA ignorant of the fact that 29 other GMs would not throw an offer sheet on the table. Poiles offseason strategy was strictly based on hope.
- LW2530

He deserves all of it. Poile did a piss poor job of managing his assets, his # 1 job, and he'll be fired soon enough because of it. Maybe he can join the Flyers ranks a la Lombardi.

Both Suter & Weber got to this point because Poile was afraid to make a decision one way or the other. Put his blind faith that Suter would re-sign, after he refused all season, and let Weber get to RFA ignorant of the fact that 29 other GMs would not throw an offer sheet on the table. Poiles offseason strategy was strictly based on hope.
- LW2530

How do you know these players just didn't want to leave? Poile can't make them stay despite what he can offer them. For all we know Poile did everything he could. I think you're making a lot of assumptions.

who thought Coots would make the team?
- vejim

as a top 10 pick who SLIPPED to that position....that's far more likely. did i think he would make the team opening night? no

but did i think he would be spending time in the NHL after his Junior season ended, hell yeah. he was a FAR better developed and talented prospect in every sense than Laughton.

i think, like many others, that Couturier has great room for growth and will be a very good player. i still feel Schenn has a higher ceiling AND, not to be a downer, i could see a sophmore setback (or a plateau in productivity) from Coots this year that keeps him from moving from a 3rd line checking center. he still needs to develop physically...something that Schenn already has and will be a step ahead this year i'm sure.

not so sure of that. If Weber himself comes out and expresses it, the fans might start being against matching
- Crimsoninja

I think the fans are already aware of what Weber wants.

How do you know these players just didn't want to leave? Poile can't make them stay despite what he can offer them. For all we know Poile did everything he could. I think you're making a lot of assumptions.
- funmaster18

Weber signing the offer sheet is a sign he doesn't mind staying for the right price. Letting the Flyers set the price (and contract structure) is irresponsible for either Poile or this ownership group.

Then why is his agent spewing all this poison?
- Philly1980

Lets be honest.. if he didnt want to potentially play in Nashville for the rest of his life he wouldnt have signed that OS.

what's your beef with full words, bro?
- OrangeBlack27

He deserves all of it. Poile did a piss poor job of managing his assets, his # 1 job, and he'll be fired soon enough because of it. Maybe he can join the Flyers ranks a la Lombardi.

Both Suter & Weber got to this point because Poile was afraid to make a decision one way or the other. Put his blind faith that Suter would re-sign, after he refused all season, and let Weber get to RFA ignorant of the fact that 29 other GMs would not throw an offer sheet on the table. Poiles offseason strategy was strictly based on hope.
- LW2530

How do you know the owners were telling him that they didnt wanna spend the money that Suter and Weber thought they were worth?

How do you know these players just didn't want to leave? Poile can't make them stay despite what he can offer them. For all we know Poile did everything he could. I think you're making a lot of assumptions.
- funmaster18

Weber signing the offer sheet is a sign he doesn't mind staying for the right price. Letting the Flyers set the price (and contract structure) is irresponsible for either Poile or this ownership group.
- eayost

If you were given 27 million in the first year of a contract I think you'd be happy anywhere.

Then why is his agent spewing all this poison?
- Philly1980

his agent is spewing the poison cause
he knows there is more money to be made in the Philly area than in Nashville( and that's not a slag on Nashville) the sponsorship deals in Philly (big market team) compared with Nashville ( small market team) are huge you have a player that could become co-face of the franchise in a market that can be worth millions in sponsorship money