Quoting: Meeces
Weber is and will be better than McAvoy for the next 2-3 years. Weber is still a top 5 defenseman in the league and you're not getting him in a trade for peanuts.
The cap is going up every year so 7.8 doesnt look too bad anymore. At 50% retained thats 3.9m for a top 5 defenseman in the league. Montreal could also take back one of the Bruin's absolutely bone headed contracts like Backes or McQuaid
At least we know why Montreal does what it does.
Backes contract, not so good, but really not that horrible. He can be moved. He wasn't great his first year, but he was actually pretty good last year especially when you consider what he went through. If you can get 20/20 out of him for another year or two along with his leadership, it's an overpayment, but it's not the end of the world.
McQuaid's deal is fine. A) he is off the books at the end of this year, so... it really doesn't matter and hasn't hurt them one bit. Veteran NHL dmen get paid more than it seems like they should. He should probably be around 2m, but again, that 750K isn't going to hurt them. He is the perfect veteran 6th or 7th Dman. He is good on the PP and tough as nails.
You are paying Karl Alzner 4.62m and he is just about the same player. Sorry. Alzner is a little better, but still at best a 5th or 6th dman. You have this sloth for four more years. FOUR. ugg.
You are also paying David Schlemko 2.1m who again is very similar to mcquaid, although somehow he is less durable than McQuaid. One guy is a career +60 and one guys is a career +10. two more years. LOL.
Shea Weber is not one of the best dmen in the league anymore. He is not. He is too big and too slow. He is good, don't get me wrong, but the game is about skating and moving the puck now. Chara is still good, but not one of the best in the league. He is also signed for 8 more years at almost 8m. A) I don't see Weber's body type holding up at 40. I just don't. Big bulky guys don't last, especially with the way he plays. Big guys who are already a little slow - it's not a good sign that they are tearing tendons.
You are also paying a goalie 10.5m a year. WHAT?!?!?! Personally I think he is the best goalie in the league, but he was awful last year. Awful. 3.11GAA and .900 save%. All this with one of the best Dmen in the league, right? This should worry you. Especially to this in a Claude Julien system.
Weber is one of the worst contracts in Hockey. Right next to Seabrook. 3 years from now Weber will be pretty similar to Chara for the last couple. Chara will have made about 16m over the last three (Including this year) Weber will make that 24 in that same time period, and then 8m a year for 8 more years. YIKES!
While we are pointing out bad contract. how about shaw. 4 more years at 4m. Ouch.
Remember that time John Tavares wouldn't even take a meeting with your abysmal team?