What They're Saying: Weber's massive deal

The Flyers made headlines early Thursday morning when they signed Predators restricted free agent Shea Weber to a massive 14-year, $110 million offer sheet (see story).

Now that the specifics of the contract have been confirmed, several NHL media members are chiming in with their thoughts.

ProHockeyTalk details all the signing bonuses that bring the contract to its total worth. Through the first four seasons of the deal, Weber would mostly be paid with those bonuses. In addition to a breakdown of the deal, PHT takes a look at other big splashes the Flyers have made with offer sheets in the past.

Deadspin explains just how creative the Flyers' front office was in getting through loopholes in the collective bargaining agreement when designing the offer sheet. As the league gets closer to the expiration of the current CBA, Weber's deal could be the last of the front-loaded, long-term deals that have become common in the NHL the last few years.

Finally, PuckDaddy applauds Paul Holmgren for making use of the offer sheet -- a move other GMs are reluctant to make -- and refers to Nashville's impending decision as the franchise's defining moment in its brief history.