Shea Weber, Louis C.K., and the real reason offer sheets are so rare (Puck Daddy)

The Philadelphia Flyers' offer sheet to Shea Weber reminded us how much fun offer sheets can be, how entertaining it is when a team puts together a plan to steal a player and another team has to decide whether to stand up for themselves or to be trod upon in the name of prudence. It's hockey's version of the scene in "Louie" where the 18-year-old threatens to beat up Louis C.K. while he's on a date. Louie can either try to prove his masculinity by recklessly fighting some kid or do the sensible thing and be quietly humiliated. Dignity or safety? Tough, fascinating dichotomy. For many, it was also a reminder that Paul Holmgren is the only guy with the guts to try an offer sheet while the rest of the NHL's GMs have colluded to keep them out of the league. But the more I think of it, the more I think this is nonsense. Looking again at the whole situation, Weber's offer sheet may have been evidence of just why they're so rare, but it has nothing to do with some grand conspiracy to keep them out of the game or a dearth of glorious, pistol-waving mavericks like Paul Holmgren. Rather, it's because in the end, nothing good comes of them.