Weber & Suter

[Hockey13Playa 240]

Link to article: http://www.thefourthperiod.com/news/nas111102.html

The Nashville Predators have been in contact with the representative of one of their two big-named impending unrestricted free agents.

Predators defenseman Ryan Suter's agent, Neil Sheehy, is scheduled to be in Nashville in two weeks to resume discussion on his client's future with the club.

Suter, 26, and goaltender Pekka Rinne are marked for unrestricted free agency next summer, while defenseman Shea Weber will become a restricted free agent come July 1, 2012.

According to ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun, Predators GM David Poile spoke with Rinne's agent, Jay Grossman, on Monday.

"I know these guys all want to sign here," Poile told ESPN. "But it's just a matter of getting it done. The better we do on the ice, I think the better chance we have of signing them."

As for Weber, no real contact has been made between his agents from Titan Sports Management and the Predators since last summer's arbitration decision. Under CBA rules, Weber cannot sign a new deal until Jan. 1, while his representatives prefer to hold off a little following this past off-season's "bargaining."

It has been speculated that if either Suter or Weber becomes available, the Detroit Red Wings, who hold significant cap room, could make a move, especially if captain Nicklas Lidstrom retires next summer.

Now I know LGW loves to talk and conjure up crazy ideas, but its nice to see us getting recognition on a well known site that is usually pretty accurate and doesn't advertise any kind of false information or non-sense. Yes I know everyone has been talking about this and beating it like a dead horse but I am really curious to see if this could/will actually happen. Both of these guys are great talented young defensemen and I would absolutely be thrilled to have one of them wearing the winged wheel. Which of Weber and Suter would you rather have on the wings and who do you think is more likely?

I would love to see Weber. He's a big, physical two way defender with a cannon for a shot. I think his style of play and the system we use in Detroit would be a perfect fit. As to whom is more likely I believe it would be Weber as well for one major reason. With all his contract issues this past summer and not signing, holding out, then going into arbitration I think he truly doesn't want to stay in Nashville and due to this he would be the one on the move. We have the cap room, and when the perfect human hangs em' up I think he would be the next best replacement. Thoughts and or comments?

[jeff48109 474]

Pekka Rinne’s agent explains 7-year, $49-million megadeal

they just re-signed Rinne to a big deal. i think this makes him the goalie with the highest cap hit in the league?

[Konnan511 1,736]

We aren't getting either. We'll get the guy that not a lot of other teams are looking at, but will be solid for us. Just like last summer when everyone was listing off all the prize free agents and I said we wouldn't get any of them, I'm standing pat on this as well. Wings don't over pay for players on the FA market. For the record, I'd love either one of these guys and I'd love to see them in a Winged Wheel, but it's just not going to happen.

[Hockey13Playa 240]

We aren't getting either. We'll get the guy that not a lot of other teams are looking at, but will be solid for us. Just like last summer when everyone was listing off all the prize free agents and I said we wouldn't get any of them, I'm standing pat on this as well. Wings don't over pay for players on the FA market. For the record, I'd love either one of these guys and I'd love to see them in a Winged Wheel, but it's just not going to happen.

This past summer with free agency I would totally agree with you, I knew Detroit wasn't going to nab a high profile, top dollar player. But after everything that has gone on with Weber and Nashville I could see him leaving the music city. I would say its a 50/50 toss up on if Detroit could get him. However, I think he's worth the high end money and wouldn't have a problem giving it to him. Most players I believe are over payed, but he is one player that is worth what he's asking for.

Probably so - however the article in the op states Weber will be a RFA on July 1st 2012; shouldn't he become a UFA?

I thought the same thing when reading that, I thought he was an UFA too... maybe it was a typo on TFP's part.

[Wing Across The Pond 196]

Is it at all possible that we could trade something away for him at the deadline, it would be beneficial for both teams: the Wings get Weber for a few months to have him settle, show him the atmosphere and the dressing room/system before he signs for good/strengthen the chance of him signing rather than going somewhere else; Nashville doesn't lose him for nothing?

[LeftWinger 5,153]

Well, we aren't getting Weber unless it's a trade before at the deadline, which is an option if Nashville decides to go with Suter instead, plus with Detroit pending move to the East, it wouldn't hurt Nashville to trade Weber to us since we won't be division rivals anymore.. Anyhow Holland doesn't dabble in RFA's. Suter will be on his radar though, more so than all of our speculation over Wiz last season. Suter is about as close to a Lidstrom replacement that you are gonna find. For my money I'd chose Suter over Weber, but if either one is a Red Wing next off season,

Is it at all possible that we could trade something away for him at the deadline, it would be beneficial for both teams: the Wings get Weber for a few months to have him settle, show him the atmosphere and the dressing room/system before he signs for good/strengthen the chance of him signing rather than going somewhere else; Nashville doesn't lose him for nothing?

Yes it is, but Nashville is not going to lose him for nothing, if he leaves as a RFA for $7M or so Nashville will get 4 first round draft picks if they don't match the offer...

I'm hoping the $$$ we have left in cap space gets used although I'm not holding my breath.

I'm also thinking it's a typo; if I'm not mistaken Weber should be a UFA come July 1st, and I also agree he'd be 1 of a handful of players that would be worth spending the extra $$$ on.

No, he is indeed going to be a RFA.

Edited November 3, 2011 by LeftWinger

[rrasco 1,312]

Probably so - however the article in the op states Weber will be a RFA on July 1st 2012; shouldn't he become a UFA?

No, he will be an RFA. This point was made in the offseason and wouldn't be a UFA next year either. I don't remember exactly why, but I think it has to do with his age and birthday being in August.

I think if anything, we would end up with Suter. First reason being after locking up Rinne for megamillions, they can't keep both. Second, I don't see them letting Weber walk, although, if he wants to, they don't really have any choice in the matter. Third,I don't see us extending an offer to Weber through RFA because it costs too much in return.

EDIT: Found this on HFBoards:

You need 7 accrued NHL seasons in order to become a UFA prior to age 27.

This is Weber's 6th accrued season in the NHL and will only be 26 next July, so he does not qualify to be an UFA. In 05-06 he only had 28 games, thus it does not qualify as an accrued season.

http://hfboards.com/...ad.php?t=963237

Edited November 3, 2011 by rrasco

[Bryguy 103]

I would take any of them but unless nashville feels like trading with us we wont have a chance to. Since it seems everyone trades there ufa rights before FA starts, I can see them giving Detroit the finger on Suter and trading him somewhere else to get a deal done.

[GoWings1905 2,694]

We aren't getting either. We'll get the guy that not a lot of other teams are looking at, but will be solid for us. Just like last summer when everyone was listing off all the prize free agents and I said we wouldn't get any of them, I'm standing pat on this as well. Wings don't over pay for players on the FA market. For the record, I'd love either one of these guys and I'd love to see them in a Winged Wheel, but it's just not going to happen.

Fair point. However, don't you think "overpaying" for Suter or Weber is a little different than Ehrhoff or Wisniewski? Especially if Nick leaves, there's no reason for Holland not to pursue one of those two.

[rrasco 1,312]

Fair point. However, don't you think "overpaying" for Suter or Weber is a little different than Ehrhoff or Wisniewski? Especially if Nick leaves, there's no reason for Holland not to pursue one of those two.

Exactly. This year's FA crop wasn't exactly the cream.

[miller76 463]

I think the only way Nashville deals with Detroit, whether in the near or further out future, is if Detroit moves to the east.

[ami 273]

<...>Wings don't DIDN'T over pay for players on the FA market.<...>

I fixed it for you and add two things:

- at some point in the history, everything happens for the very first time;

- red wings don't have to overpay;

[LeftWinger 5,153]

I fixed it for you and add two things:

- at some point in the history, everything happens for the very first time;

- red wings don't have to overpay;

They did overpay prior to the Cap rule, but it should be noted that they haven't had to overpay their players. Holland is a business man and he is going to try to get the best players he can for the least amount of cap hit. It's not the Wings organization's fault that the players accept a lower deal to stay or come here. Those players who don't give Detroit a chance because they feel they will get underpaid, on't deserve to be here anyway. Kronwall, Stuart, Lidstrom, White they don't have to accept the deals and could even ask for more, it's not like Holland wouldn't pay more to get someone, but he starts low and the player starts high and they negotiate. Besides, it should say something to those other type players (ahem, cough, wisniewski, cough) that if Detroit was such a horrible Scrooge-Like organization, why do the players that come here almost always re-sign and usually wind up finishing their career's here? That is why players like Wisniewski are blantently just in it for the money and not too interested in winning, but hey, if some bottom feeding team wants to throw money around, good on him for taking it. Besides that type of player can only spell the word team with an I and I am not too interested in having them here if that is the case. Which is most of the reason I cannot stand Hudler, maybe the last few years have taught him a lesson or two, but it usually doesn't.

Back on subject, in my opinion Suter is worth $7m+ so I don't see Holland having any issues offering him a team high salary, he would be taking over for Lidstrom, right?

Edited November 3, 2011 by LeftWinger

[achildr1 255]

I think the only way Nashville deals with Detroit, whether in the near or further out future, is if Detroit moves to the east.

Good point, didn't think about that. I think that fact is probably the difference maker in this situation. I really couldn't see Nashville trading one of those guys to us, for obvious reasons.

[LeftWinger 5,153]

Good point, didn't think about that. I think that fact is probably the difference maker in this situation. I really couldn't see Nashville trading one of those guys to us, for obvious reasons.

Yes, I touched on this earlier as well. If Nashville feels they can only sign one of them and (we'll know in December) Detroit is indeed moving East, Nashville would have no issues trading Suter or Weber to the Wings. Same goes for the other rivals too. Wouldn't mind seeing Hossa come back in a deal, or even Oshie.

Wiz was def in it for the $$$...Even though it's too early in the season - I'm of opinion the Blue Jackets will be outta the playoffs come spring.

As for Suter; he'd make a fine addition to the Red Wings blueline...Watch him sign on with Chicago

You shut your mouth when you're talking like that!