Quote:
Originally Posted by Ashasx
The Predators benefited from a cap stand point by having Weber cost significantly less against the cap than what he was actually being paid. This is an advantage that the NHL created a cap penalty for.
Why would the NHL introduce a rule like this not to follow through? Is this situation only different because it was an offer sheet situation?
Did Nashville somehow benefit less because of that? Absolutely not.
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Nashville didn't benefit, however. They are a budget team, and didn't (and still don't) have the cash to overpay players like this. It is one thing if they were a cap team that was hiding that contract. They aren't the Leafs or Rangers that have a tonne of cash to burn through. They didn't reap any rewards with that contract.
So, they didn't HAVE to match? Think of it this way - remember the Flames in the 90's? I looked at them as a glorified farm team for the NHL. You knew as soon as a player was really good, and their contract was up, that they were going to be leaving for greener pastures. Fan support was dwindling. Flames had to make a drive to save their team.
Imagine after the '04 run, if Iginla's contract was up and he signed an offer-sheet and Calgary took the picks. Not only would a lot of that goodwill that was built-up with the fanbase been erased, but the team itself would have probably imploded somewhat.
Nashville has worked really, really hard at building itself up to be a hockey market. They could have very easily become the next Phoenix, Atlanta, etc.. They just lost Suter. They simply had no choice. They took their time and thought long and hard about it, but they had no choice other than to match.
If anything, Philly should be penalized for being a predatory team trying to take advantage of a small market, but growing franchise. Those four first round picks would have done nothing to sell tickets and grow their brand - not for years at least, and even then only if they ended up working out.
Preds had no choice in the matter if they wanted to be competitive, and when taken with their financial situation, it was a team that totally couldn't allow all the good work they have been doing to come unraveled overnight. What would happen next time when they had another star player up for a new contract? Philly, as well as New York, Toronto, Buffalo (with their rich and committed owner) and any other team would know they could swoop-in and grab that star player. Worst of all, the Nashville fans would know it.
Sometimes things need to be put into context. I don't see them as having benefited from Weber's contract, but they benefited enormously from not losing Weber. This is one of the rare instances that I can see justice being served by not enforcing the recapture penalty - I think Nashville was hurt enough.
