Flyers GM admits to front loading Weber offer sheet

While speaking with the media Wednesday morning, via a conference call, Philadelphia Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said that he front-loaded the Shea Weber offer sheet so that the Nashville Predators wouldn't match it.

The Flyers offered Weber a 14-year, $110 million contract, with knowledge that the Predators were struggling somewhat financially.

In an effort to ward off the Predators, Holmgren structured the deal to pay Weber $14 million in each of the first four years, totaling $56 million. That is roughly 51% of the money, paid out in less than 29% of the length of the deal.

"It was structured where we were hopeful that they wouldn't match it," Holmgren said. "But, obviously they did... We tried to add, in our minds, one of the best defencemen in the game to a good, young, up-and-coming team, and it didn't work."

The Nashville Predators ultimately matched the offer sheet for their captain.

"With Nashville matching our offer, we wish Shea and the Predators all the best," Holmgren said.