So after a quiet couple of weeks since the beginning of NHL free agency, Shea Weber (RFA) signs an offer sheet with the Flyers for 14/$110 which appears to be mostly based on signing bonuses. Can someone with more knowledge explain how that would impact the cap? Think Nashville would match. My opinion, in the words of Kanye, is that shit cray. Has anyone been following the new CBA negotiations? I was reading that they're trying to limit contract length to 5 years in the new CBA. As a Wings' fan (NHL fan in general too), this kinda sucks since it dries up the FA market. Potential 2013 FAs look to be slim as well. I also can't help but laugh as I watch Nashville get dismantled. I've hated the Preds for the past 5 seasons or so.
i find this extremely interesting
Crazy!
The cap hit is 7.9 million. It's a high salary for the first few years with a tapered off salary as the contract goes on.
I think it would be a poor move for Nashville not to match. The four first round picks they would receive by not maching aren't worth much in the short term (they'll probably all be in the 20-30 range), and maybe not even much in the long term. The cap hit isn't unreasonable at all for Weber. This could facilitate a trade, but if I'm Nashville I'm starting at least with the two Schenn's + 2-3 first rounders, and probably another roster player.
Even then, Weber is the face of your franchise. What message do you send to your team if you lose your top two defensemen in free agency. Moreover, if Nashville matches then Weber--their franchise player--will be a predator for the rest of his career. Even if it means a bit more up front money, the benefits to not having a repeat of the Suter situation have to outweigh that.