By Spike Eskin

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – You can’t knock the Flyers effort to bring in a top-flight free-agent this off-season. After both Zach Parise and Ryan Suter chose to sign in Minnesota rather than take big offers from the Flyers, they went ahead and made an offer Shea Weber couldn’t refuse. The only problem is that the Nashville Predators couldn’t refuse it either.

The Predators announced today they would match the 14-year, $110 million offer sheet the Flyers signed Weber to six days ago. The contract is the biggest in Predators franchise history.

Many believed the defensman, who is often said to be the best in the NHL, would be a perfect addition for the Flyers, who have been looking for a presence on defense to help replace the void left by Chris Pronger.