Predators match offer for Weber

The Nashville Predators matched the Philadelphia Flyers' 14-year, $110 million offer sheet to Shea Weber on Tuesday in what the team called the most important transaction in franchise history.

Had the Predators decided not to match the Flyers' offer sheet for the All-Star defenseman, who has spent his entire seven-year NHL career in Nashville, they would have received four first-round draft picks as compensation.

"The decision to enter into the largest contract in franchise history was made by all parts of the organization, including ownership, hockey operations and business operations," the Predators said in a statement.