If Weber gets $7.5 million isn't Meehan pretty safe to say Doughy should get at least $7 million now? Generally isn't it a safe bet that defensemen don't get paid as much as top flight forwards? But Weber got basically the same amount as Stamkos. Granted, he is a little older, but he doesn't really have much more on his résumé than Doughty. In fact, one could argue Doughty has been more impressive, having put up more points in 2009-10 than Weber has in any season of his career (he tops out at 53 in 2009 vs Doughty's 59). Their power play points were almost identical last season even though Weber played six more games. Doughty has had better plus/minus the past two seasons and plays six more minutes per game than Weber did at the same stage of his career (20 seconds more than Weber does now).

They have both been nominated for the Norris once. Both won Olympic gold.

If the two sides were looking to Weber's contract as a guiding light to what Doughty should get, I think it's going to be at least $7 million now.