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Shea Weber News & Rumors

Shea Weber tops Canucks' fantasy trade list
May 10
Vancouver Province
 
"The Canucks have done their due diligence, to be sure, and the message this week is a fairly simple one — stay the course. Of course, that was also the message in both Edmonton and Calgary after their runs to Stanley Cup final. Didn't work out so well there. In sports, many times, some change can do a team a world of good. It's sure been effective for the L.A. Kings, who are in the Western Conference final after undergoing a year-long roster overhaul that really didn't end until the trade deadline."
Predators' Shea Weber has contract options
May 10
Tennessean
 
"Predators captain Shea Weber didn't have much to say about the future on Wednesday. He's still bummed about the past. There are three scenarios that could unfold for the All-Star defenseman in the coming months: • He could sign a multiyear contract with Nashville, which is what the Predators would like. • He could become a restricted free agent on July 1, meaning other teams would have the opportunity to sign him to an offer sheet. The Predators could choose to match the offer sheet or receive draft-pick compensation if they let him go. • He could choose to go to salary arbitration, which would allow him to select a one- or two-year deal with the Predators."
Shea Weber is finalist for Norris Trophy
April 27
Tennessean
 
"Predators captain Shea Weber was named one of three finalists for the Norris Trophy on Thursday. Weber was also a finalist last season for the trophy — given to the NHL's top defenseman — but finished second to Detroit veteran Nicklas Lidstrom. The other finalists this year are Zdeno Chara of the Boston Bruins and Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators. "It's nice, obviously. Hopefully, now we can just focus on the task at hand and that's Phoenix," Weber said after practice at Centennial Sportsplex. "It's obviously a team nomination. Without them we wouldn't be able to get recognition, it's just one of those things. It goes hand in hand with how the team's successful." The Predators' David"
Chara, Karlsson and Weber are Norris finalists
April 26
NHL.com
 
"The responsibilities a defenseman faces are numerous. He has to be strong in his own end to prevent goals, make smooth passes out of the defensive zone and chip in offensively by getting pucks to the net. The best blueliners also have to be able to play large amounts of ice time in all situations. Three defensemen met those responsibilities better than any other during the 2011-12 season, and because of that Zdeno Chara of the Boston Bruins, Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators and Shea Weber of the Nashville Predators have been named as finalists for the Norris Trophy, awarded "to the defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position.""
Nashville Predators' Shea Weber lends voice to You Can Play project
April 26
Tennessean
 
"As team captain for the Nashville Predators, Shea Weber has many responsibilities — some spoken, some not. The veteran defenseman leads on the ice with hard work and steady play. He sets the tone in the locker room through playful banter. And when he lends his voice to a cause, it carries more weight with his teammates and even others around the NHL. Last week, the You Can Play project, its mission "dedicated to ensuring the equality, respect and safety of all athletes, regardless of sexual orientation," announced that Weber had filmed a public service announcement in support of its efforts. Other NHL stars and players also have appeared in the videos. Predators minority owner W. Brett"
Nashville Predators' Shea Weber finalist for Norris Trophy
April 26
Tennessean
 
"Predators defenseman Shea Weber is a finalist for the Norris Trophy, which is awarded annually to the NHL's top defenseman. Zdeno Chara of the Boston Bruins and Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators are the other finalists. The Professional Hockey Writers Association selects the winner, which will be announced June 20 during the NHL Awards show in Las Vegas. Weber was also a Norris finalist last year and finished second to Nicklas Lidstrom of the Red Wings. This season the team captain helped the Predators earn their seventh playoff trip in the past eight seasons."
Nashville Predators' Shea Weber beats boos with quick goal
April 16
Tennessean
 
"Every time Shea Weber touched the puck on Sunday, most of the 20,066 spectators at Joe Louis Arena broke into a chorus of boos. Still miffed by the non-suspension for Weber's head-slamming move on Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg in Game 1, the fans voiced their displeasure with the Predators defenseman and captain at any and every possible instance during Game 3. The one moment they didn't have enough time to boo Weber came when he buried his second goal of the postseason. Weber took the puck off a scrum in front on a power play and fired a shot past Jimmy Howard to give Nashville a 1-0 lead 2:48 into the game. The Predators went on to a 3-2 victory and a 2-1 lead in the series. "It's"
Weber fined for hit on Zetterberg
April 13
Tennessean
 
"Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg practiced on Thursday, but was still clearly bothered by the blow to the head he took from Predators defenseman Shea Weber at the end of Game 1. The NHL decided to fine Weber $2,500 for stuffing Zetterberg's head into the glass. Zetterberg said the play left him with a cracked helmet and made him angry. "I thought it was dirty. I think it was targeted to my head, and with what's happened the last few years with all the head injuries, I think that shouldn't belong in the game," he said. Asked if he thought Weber should have been suspended, Zetterberg stopped short. "It's not up to me," he said. "That's why (NHL head of discipline Brendan Shanahan) has his"
A cheap fine for Shea Weber's cheap shot
April 13
Detroit News
 columnist John Niyo
"It's the playoffs. That, in a numbskull, er, nutshell, was Shea Weber's defense once he'd gotten past the half-hearted "He started it" nonsense. And that, in essence, was the NHL's verdict. It's the playoffs. Henrik Zetterberg's OK. Move along, folks. Nothing to see here. A day after the Predators captain capped his team's Game 1 victory with an errant haymaker and a helmet-cracking rap of Zetterberg's head into the glass, Brendan Shanahan, the league's chief disciplinarian, handed down a $2,500 fine — the maximum allowed by the collective bargaining agreement — and no suspension."
Nashville Predators' Shea Weber fined $2,500 for hit in Game 1
April 12
Tennessean
 
"The NHL fined Predators defensmen Shea Weber $2,500 for hitting Red Wings center Henrik Zetterberg's head into the boards and glass at the end of Game 1 of their playoff series on Wednesday. The play happened with no time left on the clock. Weber had Zetterberg pinned on the boards in Nashville's zone and pushed his head into the glass. Weber was assessed a roughing minor on the play. "We felt this was a reckless and reactionary play on which Weber threw a glancing punch and then shoved Zetterberg's head into the glass," NHL Senior Vice President of Player Safety and Hockey Operations Brendan Shanahan said in a statement released by the NHL. "We reached out to Detroit following the game"
Nashville Predators' Shea Weber delivers big hit
April 12
Tennessean
 
"As the final seconds wound down, Nashville players were desperately trying to keep the puck out of their own net and Detroit was desperately trying to score. So it was no surprise to see tempers flare just after Nashville's 3-2 victory in Game 1, with Predators defenseman Shea Weber and Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg tangling up in the corner. Weber said Zetterberg hit him in the back, and Weber then appeared to retaliate by taking a couple high shots at Zetterberg — driving Zetterberg's head into the glass on the second occasion. "It's playoffs," Weber said. Was Weber fearful of discipline by the NHL? "I don't know," he said. "He hit me from behind. So we'll see. I don't know.""
Red Wings don't talk about Shea Weber's hit on Henrik Zetterberg
April 12
Detroit Free Press
 
"Henrik Zetterberg didn't want to talk. Neither did Red Wings coach Mike Babcock. After Wednesday's Game 1 -- won, 3-2, at Bridgestone Arena by the Nashville Predators -- Zetterberg checked Nashville defenseman Shea Weber, who responded by grabbing Zetterberg and slamming his head face-first into the boards twice. Zetterberg was slow to get up -- but he did -- and spent his postgame time in the team's training room, undergoing treatment. A team spokesman said, "He's not in the mood to talk." Addressing the issue of any effect the hit might have had on Zetterberg, general manager Ken Holland told the Free Press: "I believe Z is OK.""
Injury to Shea Weber served as rallying point for Nashville Predators
February 19
Tennessean
 
"It's a scenario that often derails a season. A star player suffers an injury, misses some games, and losses mount. Only that didn't happen to the Predators after Dec. 23, the day defenseman Shea Weber suffered a concussion against the Dallas Stars, who play host to Nashville today. In the games Weber missed, the Predators went 3-1-0. They quickly turned into a more cohesive unit, and lost only three out of their next 16 games. "We recognize the value of Shea and the importance of that game and what happened," Coach Barry Trotz said. "Other guys had to step up and everybody became more accountable rather than waiting for your star to get it done. You have to do it collectively." Weber, who"
Nashville Predators' Shea Weber rips play before rally
February 2
Tennessean
 
"Sometimes, Predators defenseman Shea Weber sounds like a coach. The even-keeled captain always finds a spot where his team can improve. That's why he decided to dwell on the 2½ periods the Predators didn't play well, rather than their comeback in the final 10 minutes to beat the Wild 5-4 on Tuesday. "If we always play like that, we're not going to be able to pull that off," Weber said Wednesday. "It's good that we know that we can come from behind and we have the confidence we're never out of a game, but we need to do a lot better in the little areas.""
Shea Weber, Ryan Suter bond started at Nashville Predators' first NHL draft
January 29
Tennessean
 
"During interviews about Predators defensemen Shea Weber or Ryan Suter, the word "complement" seems to find its way into most sentences. "We thought they would be a very good complement to one another," Coach Barry Trotz said. "Our games complement each other," Weber said. "I think we complement each other well," Suter said. Weber is a big, powerful defenseman who hits hard and blasts howitzers on opposing nets. Suter is the skilled blueline partner who makes plays with his head and skating ability. With their skills combined, many observers around the NHL believe they create the perfect defenseman. Through scouting, foresight, strategy and draft luck, Nashville united the pair that has led"
Shea Weber, Ryan Suter split up for NHL All-Star Game
January 27
Tennessean
 
"Daniel Alfredsson and Zdeno Chara split up the Nashville Predators' All-Star defensive pairing of Shea Weber and Ryan Suter on Thursday. In the draft of players to determine the rosters for Sunday's NHL All-Star Game, Alfredsson selected Weber, a two-time All-Star, with the eighth pick. Chara immediately grabbed Suter, making his first All-Star appearance, with the next pick. Alfredsson stuck close to home — both his native Sweden and his adopted home of Ottawa — in making his selections. His opposing team captain, defenseman Chara, took a more offensive approach as the two rosters — Team Alfredsson and Team Chara — were formed. They will face each other in the skills competition on"
Weber, Suter taken with back-to-back picks, broken up for All-Star Game
January 27
Nashville City Paper
 
"Ryan Suter and Shea Weber will not get to play together as All-Stars. The two pieces of the Nashville Predators' top defense pair were taken with consecutive picks Thursday in the NHL All-Star Fantasy Draft, which meant they went to different sides for Sunday's NHL All-Star game. Weber was the second choice of the eighth round (16th overall) by Team Alfredsson. Suter went next to Team Chara. Nashville is the only team with two blue liners selected to play in the game. Weber is tied for third among all NHL defensemen in points (34) and goals (10) and is tied for second with five power play goals. Suter is tied for 10th in assists with 23. This is the second year the draft has been a part of"
Weber, Suter both get All-Star game invitations from the NHL
January 13
Nashville City Paper
 
"Shea Weber and Ryan Suter have been regarded as one of the NHL's top defensive pairs for the last several seasons. Finally, both have earned recognition for their individual ability. Weber and Suter were among 36 players selected by the league to participate in the 2012 NHL All-Star Game, which will take place Jan 29 at Ottawa. Six players previously were named through fan voting. It is the second time Nashville has two players in the contest. The first was 2004, when defenseman Kimmo Timonen and goalie Tomas Vokoun took part. Additionally, forward Craig Smith was one of 12 rookies selected to participate in the All-Star weekend festivities."
Weber's absence felt most as power play falls flat
January 7
Tennessean
 
"The Predators know and understand that their power play can score at a prolific level. That is why it has been such a frustrating weapon-gone-dormant in Nashville's last five games. During that stretch, the Predators are 0-for-16 with the man-advantage. At one point this season, Nashville scored on the power play in seven straight games. Before this current funk, it scored four goals in two games. "We just have to get that swagger back and get zone time," defenseman Ryan Suter said. "We're not getting much zone time right now. It's tough to make plays when you're not in their end, so we just have to get our swagger back and start scoring." Before Nashville's current problems with the"
Shea Weber to return tonight for Nashville
January 5
Tennessean
 
"Shea Weber has been cleared to play and will be in the lineup tonight against the Dallas Stars. That's what the Nashville Predators said today. Weber has been out since he took a hard hit from Dallas Stars defenseman Mark Fistric on Dec. 23. During that four-game stretch, the Predators have gone 3-1-0."
Nashville Predators keep Shea Weber's status a mystery
January 5
Tennessean
 
"Predators Coach Barry Trotz became flustered by reporters' questions Wednesday about captain Shea Weber's playing status for today's game against Dallas at Bridgestone Arena. Weber is recovering from a concussion he suffered the last time Nashville played the Stars on Dec. 23. He has missed the past four games. Based on his ability to practice the past two days, the defenseman appears ready to play. But the Predators have not allowed Weber to speak to the media since he was injured, and he has not yet told Trotz whether he feels well enough to play."
Nashville Predators' Shea Weber returns to ice
January 4
Tennessean
 
"Predators captain Shea Weber practiced Tuesday with limited contact for the first time since suffering a concussion 12 days ago, but his playing status for Thursday's game against Dallas remains questionable. It was in a game against Dallas on Dec. 23 when Weber took a high hit from Mark Fistric that left the defenseman with the injury causing him to miss the past four games. Weber skated for the entire practice Tuesday, which took place at A-Game Sportsplex in Franklin as part of the team's fan appreciation day. He bumped lightly into his teammates at times and even tumbled to the ice once."
Weber returns to practice for Nashville
January 3
NHL.com
 
"Nashville captain Shea Weber returned to practice Tuesday for the first time since suffering a concussion on Dec. 23. The news was broken by the Predators on the team's official twitter feed, which tweeted out a photo of Weber at practice wearing a yellow no-contact jersey. There is still no timetable for his return."
Weber not likely to play against Calgary
January 1
Calgary Herald
 
"Shea Weber isn't talking. Nor is he playing. Or even skating.The Nashville Predators' star blueliner, as everyone knows, is sidelined by concussion complications. Since being sharply bounced by Dallas Stars defender Mark Fistric, Weber has missed three games. Now it appears that the dominating Weber, considered by many to be the NHL's top rearguard, won't be facing the Calgary Flames, either. "I would find it hard to see him playing (today) at this point," Preds coach Barry Trotz told the Tennessean. "He will be the one to tell us when he's ready. I know he was feeling better . . . and he had that little gleam back in his eye. When guys get banged up, they don't have that gleam in their"
Nashville Predators' Shea Weber still recovering from concussion
December 30
Tennessean
 
"Shea Weber's extended time off the ice is not because of a setback in his recovery from a concussion, Nashville Predators Coach Barry Trotz said on Thursday. The captain has been ruled out of Friday's game at St. Louis, however, and is doubtful for Sunday's game against Calgary at Bridgestone Arena. Weber has missed two games since taking a high hit from Stars defenseman Mark Fistric on Dec. 23. The Predators are making sure their all-star defenseman is "in a good place," Trotz said. "We're not going to rush it.""
No Friday return for Shea Weber
December 29
ESPN.com
 
"Shea Weber will not play Friday, as the Nashville Predators captain remains out indefinitely with concussion symptoms. "Even Sunday is unlikely," Predators coach Barry Trotz told ESPN.com on Thursday morning. "There is no timetable for his return at this point. We are not putting him at risk." Weber was injured last Friday after taking a hard hit from Mark Fistric of the Dallas Stars. Trotz raised hopes when he said his star defenseman was feeling better and could return Friday at St. Louis, but that won't be the case."
Shea Weber's agent reacts to hit
December 29
Tennessean
 
"Shea Weber's agent fired some hefty shots at the NHL for its lack of disciplinary action on the hit that gave Weber a concussion. Stars defenseman Mark Fistric slammed Weber high and hard near the end of the game Friday at Dallas. Fistric, who was suspended three games in early December for a hit on Islanders forward Nino Niederreiter, did not receive any supplementary discipline by the NHL for his hit on Weber. The league indicated that the video wasn't clear enough, and the referee in position didn't deem the hit worthy of a penalty at the time. Agent Jarrett Bousquet believed otherwise. "From my point of view, I'm surprised that there's not been more about this Fistric hit," Bousquet"
Weber 'doubtful' for Friday
December 29
Tennessean
 
"Sorry for the lateness of this post. In case you missed it, we talked to Shea Weber's agent earlier. He had some strong words about the hit Mark Fistric put on Weber which caused the Predators captain to suffer a concussion. Also, we had a chat. Here is a link to the replay. We talked to Coach Barry Trotz today and asked him about Weber. Weber didn't skate today and was listed as doubtful for Friday's game at St. Louis, the coach said. Yesterday, Trotz sounded slightly optimistic Weber could be in the lineup for the Friday game. "Every day that they don't skate makes them less probable that they will play the next game," Trotz said. "It's still day-to-day with no definite time frame. He"
Shea Weber may try to play Friday
December 28
Tennessean
 
"Sidney Crosby, Claude Giroux, Ryan Miller, Chris Pronger and now Shea Weber. The NHL's concussion epidemic among star players this season continued Tuesday with news that Nashville's captain had received a head injury. The Predators officially announced that Weber, their leading scorer and highest-paid player, had a concussion. General Manager David Poile and Coach Barry Trotz were cautiously optimistic that Weber would be back for Friday's game at St. Louis, but they wouldn't put a timetable on his return. "There's a chance for Friday," Trotz said. "He is recovering pretty well, I would say, but nothing is for sure." Weber, who has been ruled out of Wednesday's game against the Wild at"
Shea Weber's injury leaves Nashville Predators defenseless
December 27
Tennessean
 
"Shea Weber is a presence for the Nashville Predators. At 6-foot-4, 232 pounds, the defenseman averages more than 26 minutes per game. He leads the team in points. He's tops in plus/minus. As captain, the locker room follows his lead. That was all absent from the Predators' lineup in Nashville's 4-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings in front of an announced sellout of 17,113 at Bridgestone Arena on Monday night. Weber quickly left Monday's morning skate with what the Predators called an upper-body injury. Following the game, the team didn't have an update on Weber's status. "I'm not quite sure, I can probably answer that better tomorrow," Nashville Coach Barry Trotz said when asked if Weber's"
Weber scores two late goals as Predators dump Detroit
December 16
Nashville City Paper
 
"Shea Weber scored twice in 2:48 in the closing minutes as the Nashville Predators ran their season-high win streak to four games with a come-from-behind 4-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday. Weber tied it 3-3 on a power play goal with 4:24 remaining and put Nashville ahead for the first time with 1:36 to go. It was the Predators' ninth straight one-goal game and their sixth victory in that stretch. They also evened the season series with Detroit at one victory apiece despite being outshot 40-21. "It shows a lot of character, especially when we don't play our best game," Weber said. "We played a lot of time in our end shutting them down, but we showed character and a lot of"
Weber, Suter shut down league's leading scorer
November 18
Tennessean
 
"For the second straight game, defensemen Shea Weber and Ryan Suter were marked with the task of going against one of the NHL's premier scorers. And just as they did one game ago with Alex Ovechkin of Washington, Suter and Weber held forward Phil Kessel pointless. Kessel came into the game leading the NHL in scoring. "They do such a great job of keeping all the shots outside, containing and battling down low, and breaking up plays," forward Mike Fisher said. "They're two of the best at it, and they did a great job tonight against a really good line." Also, Suter and Weber were plus-4 on Tuesday. That makes Weber a plus-18 in his last 10 games, and Suter a plus-15. "Everyone is playing"
Predators' Weber helps out former teammate
November 17
Tennessean
 
"Shea Weber and Cody Franson grew up on the same street and today they will be on the same ice again. While Weber hopes to lead the Predators to their third consecutive victory when Nashville plays Toronto at Bridgestone Arena, former Predator Franson is looking for more playing time with the Maple Leafs. Weber is trying to help his old friend and fellow defenseman keep his spirits up. "I try to be as positive as I can with him about playing," Weber said. "He will figure it out.""
Nashville Predators' Shea Weber doesn't dwell on arbitration
September 18
Tennessean
 
"If Shea Weber were in elementary school, and the teacher asked him to share how he spent this summer vacation, the Nashville Predators' captain simply would rehash the good memories. "I went home (British Columbia) and saw a lot of my family," Weber said. "I spent time with my brother and my dad and spent a lot of time on the lake. Spent some time in the sun and some time in the water and trained hard in preparation for the season." It's the business part of the summer that Weber would rather leave out: The arbitration hearing with the Predators, and winning a one-year, $7.5 million award. "It was obviously a tough thing," Weber said. "But when you're home with all the people you love and"
Shea Weber's arbitrator compared him to Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook
August 15
Pro Hockey Talk
 
"Even beyond the simple fact that there was such a lack of arbitration hearings this summer, there was some weird feeling that Shea Weber's hefty one-year, $7.5 million award was special. The staggering dollar amount could make life pretty difficult for the Nashville Predators both in the coming season and over the long run, but it doesn't seem like too outrageous a sum for the hard-shooting, hard-hitting defenseman. It might not be totally out of line with his skills, but it's still a pretty bold sum. It's pretty natural to wonder how the arbitrator got to that point, which is something that The New York Post's Larry Brooks unearthed today. Apparently Michel Picher was the man who"
Waiting game
August 8
Nashville City Paper
 columnist David Boclair
"Last week's arbitration ruling that awarded Shea Weber the highest single-season salary in franchise history did more than assure he would play at least another 82 games for the Nashville Predators. It also allowed him to play the waiting game. Many assumed that the team captain would agree to a long-term deal with the franchise that drafted and developed him, and that his deal would serve as the cornerstone for upcoming negotiations with his defense partner, Ryan Suter, and goalie Pekka Rinne. With Weber locked in, where else would the other two want to be? Instead, Weber took advantage of the system and got himself a landmark deal, one that will pay him $7.5 million this season. He also"
Franson weighs in on Weber
August 6
Tennessean
 
"Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Cody Franson grew up with Shea Weber. They're from the same town - Sicamous, British Columbia. Though two years younger than Weber, the two are good friends. Franson, who was traded by the Predators this summer, and Weber vacation in Kelowna, British Columbia, during the summer months. So who better to ask about Weber's one-year, $7.5 million arbitration award than Franson? "I was pulling for Webs. He's a guy who has earned all of his stripes. He's proved that he's one of the best defensemen in the league," Franson said. "I still believe that he might be underpaid at that price. I'm happy for him. That's a good award for him. I think he's pretty happy. He's"
Nashville Predators face history lesson in attempts to sign Shea Weber
August 5
Tennessean
 
"In the summer of 1990, a big, mobile two-way defenseman hit the NHL market as a restricted free agent. Scott Stevens of the Washington Capitals became open to an offer sheet. He signed one with the St. Louis Blues for four years at $5.1 million total, and the Capitals let him walk. In compensation, they received five first-round draft picks. Stevens turned into a three-time Stanley Cup winner and a Hall of Fame defenseman. The Capitals' general manager at the time was David Poile, the current GM of the Predators . This offseason, Poile faced a similar situation with defenseman Shea Weber . A one-year, $7.5 million deal was reached through arbitration . Stevens' deal is one that"
Weber gets franchise-record contract in arbitration ruling
August 4
Nashville City Paper
 
"At least Shea Weber and David Poile agreed on the fact that they couldn't agree. Following Wednesday's arbitration ruling that gave Weber the largest single-season contract in Nashville Predators history -- $7.5 million for 2011-12 -the captain and the general manager accepted blame equally for the fact that months of negotiations failed to produce a resolution. "The onus has got to be on both sides because we didn't come to a long-term deal," Weber said. "Obviously this is a temporary solution." Added Poile: "We negotiated long and hard for many, many meetings, and we talked from a one-year contract to a many-year contract. … We just couldn't quite agree on the term, the length or the"
What Weber's contract means
August 4
Tennessean
 
"Surprisingly, all parties involved in Shea Weber's contract negotiations did not (at least publicly) sound upset about Weber's 1-year award for $7.5 million. In fact, they sounded strangely more confident that a long-term contract could eventually be reached with Nashville's Norris Trophy runner-up. "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." General Manager David"
Predators' Shea Weber receives $7.5 million in arbitration case
August 4
Tennessean
 
"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"
Predators' Weber awarded record $7.5M by arbitrator
August 3
CBC Sports
 
"An abitrator has awarded Nashville defenceman Shea Weber $7.5 million US for next season, according to CBC Sports senior hockey writer Tim Wharnsby. Weber and the Predators made presentations to an arbitrator Tuesday in Toronto. Weber, through his Tian Sports represenation, reportedly asked for $8.5 million, while the team put forth a case for $4.75 million, a minimal increase from last season.' The Predators filed for arbitration in mid-June with Weber in order to prevent other clubs from making an offer sheet, and to also buy themselves several weeks before the scheduled hearing to hammer out a long-term deal. Weber, who turns 26 later this month, was a Norris Trophy finalist the past"
Predators, Weber make their cases, await contract ruling
August 3
Nashville City Paper
 
"This much is certain: The Nashville Predators and their captain, Shea Weber, will have a deal by 8 a.m. (CDT) Thursday. After months of negotiations failed to produce an agreement in traditional terms, the sides made their cases to an independent arbitrator Tuesday morning in Toronto. According to multiple reports, the team's bid was for a one-year contract at $4.75 million, which would make him the second-highest paid player on the team behind forward Martin Erat ($6 million). Weber and his representatives requested $8.5 million, which would make him one of the highest-paid defensemen in the league."
Predators, Shea Weber separated by $4 million
August 3
Tennessean
 
"The Predators' decision to go to salary arbitration with Shea Weber on Tuesday cemented one fact: Within 48 hours there would be finality to the star defenseman's contract situation. The aftereffects could be damaging for the Nashville Predators, however. Despite meeting Monday and early Tuesday, the team and its captain were unable to settle on a contract before the 8 a.m. hearing in Toronto, where each side argued Weber's worth in front of an arbitrator. The Predators recommended an award of $4.75 million, a source close to the situation said. Weber's agents with Titan Sports Management asked for $8.5 million. The award is for one year, as determined by Weber's agents. The arbitrator,"
Predators in trouble with Weber?
August 3
CBC Sports
 columnist Elliotte Friedman
"I wasn't in Shea Weber's arbitration hearing on Tuesday, so I don't know what was said. But I can tell you what other teams/agents are saying: For the first time, they think the Predators are really in trouble with Weber. There was always a recognition that dealing with all three of Weber, Ryan Suter and Pekka Rinne was going to be impossible, but, assumed the captain was priority number one. None of the particulars (Weber, agents Kevin Epp/Jarrett Bousquet, Predators GM David Poile, AGM Paul Fenton or directory of hockey operations Brian Poile) were talking afterward. What we do know is that Weber submitted $8.5 million US as his objective and the Predators offered $4.75 million. The"
Puck firmly in Shea Weber's rink
August 3
The Globe and Mail
 
"One by one, 19 of the 20 players with arbitration dates settled their affairs this summer, with each avoiding the nasty process of sitting down with an arbitrator in the middle of the off-season. On Tuesday morning, however, the biggest name on the list in Nashville Predators captain Shea Weber went to his hearing, becoming the only player to do so this year and one of the few ever to do so in a team-elected arbitration case. It could be, in short, bad news for the budget-conscious Preds. Of the last 10 arbitration cases where the hearing actually took place, nine of the players involved ended up playing for another team after that following season. The 10th was Washington Capitals"
Predators, Shea Weber begin salary arbitration Tuesday
August 2
Tennessean
 
"Unable to come to terms with their team captain, the Predators and defenseman Shea Weber entered salary arbitration Tuesday morning in Toronto. Both sides will argue for 90 minutes, with the side that went first getting a rebuttal for 10 minutes. An arbitrator will rule within the next 48 hours on an undisclosed one or two year award – requested by Weber's agent before the hearing. The Predators and Weber can still come to terms before a ruling. The Predators filed for arbitration with Weber in June in order to prevent another team from signing him to an offer sheet. Weber is a restricted free agent."
NHL watches as Preds try to do deal with Weber
August 2
Toronto Star
 columnist Damien Cox
"It's not as if it's a mystery where Shea Weber fits in the giant NHL salary puzzle. Dion Phaneuf makes $6.5 million per (all figures U.S.), and Weber is a superior player from the same 2003 NHL draft class. The same goes for Weber as compared to Brent Burns, and Burns signed a five-year, $28.5 million contract (cap hit $5.76 million) with the San Jose Sharks on Monday, eight years after being the 20th pick in that '03 draft. So we know the floor here for Weber's services has to be $6.5 million, and the ceiling around $7.5-8 million. That may be where an arbitrator places Weber if his case, arguably the most anticipated contract haggle of the NHL summer, goes forward Tuesday morning at 9"
Predators can't close Shea Weber deal
August 2
Tennessean
 
"The Predators and restricted free agent defenseman Shea Weber's representatives went into Monday night without an announced new contract for Nashville's captain. With Weber's arbitration hearing set for 8 a.m. today, a deal still could be struck before both sides start their arguments in front of an arbitrator. But it was unclear as to how close they were to getting an agreement. Weber's agents, from Titan Sports Management, and the Predators were in Toronto in advance of today's hearing, and it is believed the two sides met. Neither side was allowed to speak with reporters about the hearing once briefs were filed, 48 hours in advance. If Weber and the Predators were to go through an"