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"Yeah, we're pretty fucked either way."

This is the official press release from the Nashville Predators GM David Poile regarding the Flyers offer sheet for Shea Weber:

"We are in receipt of the offer sheet signed between the Philadelphia Flyers and Shea Weber. Under the rules pertaining to an offer sheet, the Predators have one week to decide whether to match or accept the compensation. We have stated previously that, should a team enter into an offer sheet with Shea, our intention would be to match and retain Shea. Our ownership has provided us with the necessary resources to build a Stanley Cup-winning team. Due to the complexity of the offer sheet, we will take the appropriate time to review and evaluate it and all of its ramifications in order to make the best decision for the Predators in both the short and long-term.

“We do not anticipate any further comments on this situation until we make our decision within the next seven days.”

 

Translation: "Fuck you, Paul Holmgren."

Let's delve a bit into what these ramifications may be that Poile refers to in this statement. One of those ramifications may be the $26 million in guaranteed money in the first two years of this deal. Note that guaranteed money is paid on July 1st before the next year of the contract… so that means… this.

 

Not good for Nashville. Also not good? Weber is guaranteed a $13 million signing bonus in each of the first four years, not just the first two. That's $52 million in guaranteed money for Weber as on July 1, 2015… less than three years from now. That's absolutely insane.

Who knows if Nashville can even match that? I don't even think they do. Better yet, is it even worth it? I'll tell you what is worth it; losing four draft picks for Shea Weber. I've seen people complain about that but the fact of the matter is the Flyers are getting the best defenseman in the NHL. He's proven, and  there's no guarantee that they will find that in the draft. You don't know who those draft picks will be… but you know who Shea Weber is…

…your move, Poile.