So Shea Weber's ploy worked. He had his agent work up a contract deal with the defensive-stud hungry Flyers, then as he'd suspected all along ... played his gamble out to perfection.
I'm surprised that so many people are surprised that Nashville matched the Flyers' 14-year, $110 million offer to Weber that was heavily frontloaded with signing bonus money.
Nashville is by its nature small market, but the Predators have a lot riding on Weber's leadership, especially with Ryan Suter going away via free agency. The Preds had a lot of cash on hand and they are using it the right way -- keeping their franchise building block.
Interesting to see whether that offer will be supplemented with a no trade clause deal.
As for the Flyers ... the search continues.
No way Paul Holmgren, et. al. is happy with club as it currently stands. Need for physical defenseman -- while alleviated somewhat by Luke Schenn acquisition -- is still there. So is the need for a stud winger next to Claude Giroux.
To me -- that's a bigger need considering what's currently available. The Flyers need to put together a pitch for Bobby Ryan, though if Anaheim still wants Sean Couturier and/or Brayden Schenn, that's almost certainly not happening.