"The Predators and defenseman Shea Weber promised there were no hurt feelings.
On Tuesday the team and its captain failed to come to terms on a contract and went to salary arbitration in Toronto. A one-year award worth $7.5 million for Weber was announced Wednesday, and both sides looked at it as a potential precursor and framework to a long-term contract.
"Obviously nobody wants to come to that, but it is what it is. We have something in place for now, and hopefully that can allow us some more time to get something longer term done," Weber said. "This is a temporary solution. I love it in Nashville. I love my teammates. I love the fans and the city. This is what we have for right now, and we're going to go from here."
Weber's $7.5 million salary for 2011-12 makes him the highest-paid player on the Predators as well as the highest-paid player in team history.
During the arbitration hearing the Predators asked for a $4.75 million award while Weber's agents at Titan Sports asked for an $8.5 million award. The moves were strategic for both sides to get the best possible award. In negotiations before the hearing, the Predators offered more than $4.75 million, and Weber's camp asked for less than $8.5 million.
The arbitrator sided with Weber, giving him the largest salary-arbitration award in NHL history — as well as the highest salary-cap hit among NHL defensemen.
His contract puts Nashville's payroll at $48.7 million, just above the salary cap floor of $48.3 million. Last season the Predators' payroll was around $52 million."
