REDlines: Is It All About The Money? August 4th.

Today’s music choice on New Releases Thursday is Vomit by Girls.  I’ve been hearing this every day for the past couple weeks when it came out.  It moves slow in the beginning, so give it a chance.

As reported all over the internet yesterday, defenceman Shea Weber was awarded the biggest arbitration decision in the NHL.  A $7.5 million dollar award that could possibly create a situation in Nashville that Florida Panther fans might remember with Roberto Luongo about six years ago.  While I’m not about to rehash that drama (Orland Kurtenblog does a good job here), you can’t help but wonder if the animosity between the two sides is beyond repair.

It’s an very awkaward situation when this happens between the player and the team.  Weber’s camp gives the judge all the reasons why they think he’s worth what they’re asking.  In this case Weber’s side is asking $8.5 million dollars for the Olympic Gold Medal defenceman, who is only 25, was a Norris Trophy candidate this season, and is only going to get better.  The Predators meanwhile must delicately state why he’s worth (only) $4.5 million.  This happens to be a pretty substantial difference between the two sides, and would appear to be a low ball offer by the cash strapped organization.  The good thing about the NHL decision process is that it’s not one or the other.  Comparable NHL defenceman like Duncan Keith , Brent Seabrook and Dion Phaneuf were most likely used as the measuring stick.  Nashville now either agrees to the award, or walks away.  By the way, Weber isn’t eligible for free agency till the summer of 2013 giving even more time for this situation to get ugly between the two.  In most cases the player gets traded away as the two camps never really seem to be able to mend fences.  If Nashville walks away from this they’ll not only alienate their fans, but other players as well.  But I do have to ask, knowing the financial instability of the Predators, was it necessary to ask for $8.5 million? Although that playoff beard Weber sported was worth a couple million alone!

Links after the jump.

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News in Sunrise:

A new ticket promotion that basically says, “The enemy is not welcome here”.  Team Website.

John McFarland is eager for a fresh start as he works towards making it to the NHL.  Panther website.

The Panthers and Office Depot get together on discount tickets in time for back to school.  Harvey Fialkov.

P. J. Deluca is the new video coach in town.  Harvey Fialkov.

Around the NHL:

Check into the Franchise Faceoff Final at TSN.ca and vote for Jonathan Toews or Steven Stamkos.

Here’s more on the Shea Weber arbitration award.  CBC Sports.ca.

It was a beautiful day in the Windy City yesterday as Patrick Sharp was signed to a nice extension. Blackhawk Up.

David Perron of the St. Louis Blues won’t be ready to start the season.  NHL.com.

The San Jose Sharks continue to beef up their blue line this off season, sign Colin White.  Working The Corners.

Down Goes Brown looks at other NHL team grievances.

Scott Cullen looks at the top hitters from this past season.  Take a peak at number six!

Nik Zherdev is heading back to the KHL.  Pro Hockey Talk.

Today’s video again features our war time tyrant.  I warn you that a portion of it is R rated.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFnT_S46MsA&feature=related

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