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[Report] With Suter gone, Shea Weber could be on his way out soon

Tystick

By Tystick
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Tystick Canucks Second-Line

Tystick

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http://www.theprovince.com/sports/Shea+Weber+could+Canuck+after+Wild+deals+Parise+Suter/6884956/story.html

There was nothing wrong with the collective knee-jerk response locally to news that both Zach Parise and Ryan Suter had signed in Minnesota.

All of the people who pointed out, again and again, that the chase for those Northwest Division championship hats just got more difficult for the Canucks were on point.

But it doesn’t take much to put a positive spin on the moves from the Vancouver point of view.

For one, it’s better Parise is in ­Minny for this upcoming season than, say, Chicago.

And better Suter is in the so-called of State of Hockey rather than Hockeytown, Detroit.

The Canucks are built to win now and the Wild remain something of a work-in-progress. It’s likely a couple years yet before the Wild could be one of the favourites in the Western Conference.

So, the powerhouses are no better because of it. Yes, we can see that is spin. But that’s one way to view this as good news over at The Roge.

And if we’re already in full spin, here’s even better news: The Wild deals mean Shea Weber is coming to Vancouver.

All right, that’s just an ongoing dream of many Canucks fans. But Nashville GM David Poile sure couldn’t do anything to pop their collective bubble.

Poile expressed frustration and exasperation with Suter leaving. One media member accurately told him he sounded like he just got hit with a jackhammer.

Obviously, he was crushed, and still in disbelief that Suter had left Tennessee. Poile even suggested Suter had lied, while calling out his agent, Neil Sheehy, who Poile claimed promised him this in November: “[suter] is not going anywhere else. He’s signing with the Nashville ­Predators.”

That didn’t work out so well.

So, Suter joins Dan Hamhuis as big-time defencemen the Predators recently lost for essentially nothing. Could Weber, currently an RFA set to become a UFA next summer, be next?

It goes without saying fans from just about every other city in the NHL hope so.

In Vancouver, the burn for Weber is especially acute. He’s the type of player the Canucks have never had, and one who grew up in B.C. and played junior in Kelowna.

He may be considered the missing piece in Vancouver, but he is also the type of player the Predators’ entire organization is built around.

Poile said he’s doing two things next: One, looking for Suter’s replacement and two, doing everything he can to re-sign Weber.

But he did admit that just became a whole lot more difficult.

“Speaking for Shea, he certainly hoped Ryan would re-sign,” Poile said.

“I know if Ryan had re-signed it would have been a lot easier to have Shea make a commitment.

“I have to find out [if he wants to stay] now. I’ve already talked to Shea’s representative about a ­longer-term contract.

“The process and the timing was, everyone wanted to see what came down on the Suter situation.”

Has he considered trading Weber if he won’t go for a longer-term deal because of Suter leaving?

“You have to let me play out the process,” Poile said. “This has all happened, like 15 minutes ago. I haven’t talked to Shea today or his representatives.

“I have to get on to see if there is an opportunity to replace Suter with another defenceman. You have to allow me the opportunity to talk to Shea and you have to allow Shea and his representatives some time to decide what is the right thing to do moving forward.

“[Weber] is the guy we want to build our team around. He’s at the top of his game. He’s a Norris Trophy finalist. He knows what we think of him and we want him to be in Nashville for years to come.”

If Weber doesn’t want the same, you can understand why he may push for a trade this summer.

With a new CBA being negotiated, there are a lot of unknowns about how free agents will be impacted.

Will it take longer to become a UFA?

Will the league look to close the loophole that permits deals that circumvent the cap, like Roberto ­Luongo’s or the twin 13-year contracts Parise and Suter just signed?

In other words, now is the time to cash in before those rules change.

Whether the Canucks have the pieces to land Weber is another story.

Sure, they have Alex Edler. But he’s a year away from becoming an unrestricted free agent himself. And just what is Edler going to be worth in this climate?

If Christian Ehrhoff gets $40 million and Suter gets $98 million, it’s not hard to see Edler fall somewhere in the middle.

Whether he’s worth it is a debate for another day.

Of course, any Weber discussion wouldn’t be complete without mention of an offer sheet.

As a restricted free agent, if he were signed to a one-year, predatory offer sheet in the $6,268,175-$7,835,219 range, the compensation would be two first-round picks, a second and third.

Would the Predators match? Probably, but then they couldn’t trade him for a year, and next July they’d be in the exact same situation they just were with Suter.

And can Poile risk getting hit again with another jackhammer?

jbotchford@theprovince.com

© Copyright © The Province

Yes it's something we all knew would happen, but the reality is looking like it may be sooner than later. So do the Canucks make a push? Definitally starts with giving up Edler.

I tried searching but couldn't find anything related to this Article. Sorry if there is something already.

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k_man08 Abbotsford Prospect

k_man08

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let's not trade our 1st round picks ever again.

since we draft so late in the first round, i would be happier trading away any pick other than 1st and second. Those are the highest probability of being good players. rest are bigger gambles.

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suolucidir Abbotsford Star

suolucidir

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let's not trade our 1st round picks ever again.

since we draft so late in the first round, i would be happier trading away any pick other than 1st and second. Those are the highest probability of being good players. rest are bigger gambles.

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JordanEberle Abbotsford Prospect

JordanEberle

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The problem with trading edler for him is that they will be in the exact same situation. I agree Edler is the piece that the trade needs to revolve around except he only has one year left on his contract as well and who knows if he will want to resign in Nashville after a year. Its a risky situation for Poille and I there would have to be some other serious pieces involved for that to work. I think were still better off trying our luck at him as a UFA

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Fanuck Canucks First-Line

Fanuck

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I'd like to see Weber in a Canucks uniform as much as the next fan, but the sensible side of me says sign Edler for double (approximately ok) his salary right now for the next 6 years and guarantee this kid is here for the duration of the prime of his career - this way you don't gut the system of prospects or strangle the budget with the type of salary Weber will command.

If Edler can be 80% the player of Weber (and I think he has that potential) for around 75% of the cost of Weber I say it's a better option.

That said, if the Luongo contract were unloaded for picks/prospects it would make Weber very inticing.

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oldnews Canucks Hall-of-Famer

oldnews

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Yes - not a report - an article by Botchford - who quoting Poile and stating the obvious, isn't as far out in left field as he usually is.

But you can always count on Botchford for at least a couple depracating lines.

"Whether the Canucks have the pieces to land Weber is another story.

Sure, they have Alex Edler. But he’s a year away from becoming an unrestricted free agent himself. And just what is Edler going to be worth in this climate?"

That would be a better climate than the one the Predators are suffering through.

How does Edler's pending UFA status reduce his value, while Weber's does not?

If I were speculating, I'd say Edler is actually more likely to re-sign in Vancouver. Would he re-sign if sent to Nashville? Yes, that would be a risk they'd be taking. The Canucks would be taking the same risk with Weber.

But the Canucks have assets. To suggest otherwise would be fairly typical around here.

Duh -you don't win President's trophies without assets.

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cripplereh Canucks Star

cripplereh

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I would love to first see Luo gone,then trade Ballard,schroeder 2 1st's and a 3rd or 4th rounder for Weber.I would then talk to Edler and resign him before Xmas.Edler loves it here and I agree is a close to as good as Weber and with both OMG!!!!!!!Our first round picks again are later and are not top picks , but I would like to keep them.Weber is a top D men in the league and giving them one or two back with Schroeder and a couple 1st's are worth it to get him if he signs long term and make it clear one 1st rounders is conditional of Weber siging a long term deal!

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