I was browsing the news this afternoon during my lunch break and I came across an article written by Puck Daddy’s Josh Cooper who was listing off reasons why the Nashville Predators should get rid of superstar defenseman Shea Weber.
Cooper made some good points—the Predators are pretty much set in the backend with budding stars Seth Jones and Ryan Ellis, and the team would get a lot (and boy do I mean a lot) in return for a player like Weber. Weber is also coming off a season that saw him only record 15 goals (which is his lowest full-season total) and post 45 points, which is the worst since 2009-10. I mean come on, those numbers alone are reason enough to ship him elsewhere—he clearly holds no value to Nashville! (Did you catch the sarcasm there?
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OK, so Weber is going on 30 (years old) and is under contract until the end of the 2025-26 season. His ridiculously large 14-year contract is work $110 million (thanks to the Philadelphia Flyers offer sheet back in 2012) and he carries a cap hit of $7.85 throughout the remainder of said contract. That is a lot of money and Nashville could certainly use the extra cap space to get some quality forwards. I get it.
But where are the Predators going to find a player that is even comparable to him? What could teams offer that would make Nashville decide to let him go? Nobody I know comes to mind.
I think it would be a little premature for Nashville to give up on its captain. Again, he’s not even 30 yet! He has proven time and again how valuable he is to a team. Yes, there are going to be younger and faster players coming up in their system, but they will only benefit from having Weber teach them the ropes.
Having Weber on the No. 1 defensive pairing with Roman Josi seems ridiculous now that the team has Ellis and Jones? No, I think it makes perfect sense (Look how good Josi is and what the two can do together). It allows these two young stars, and even Josi, to watch and learn from one of the best in the League. It gives them a chance to develop and maybe even puts their minds at ease knowing they have a guy like Weber on the bench who can get them out of a bind.
So, he had a down year production wise. It happens to pretty much every athlete on the planet. Things aren’t always constantly good. But Weber’s potential is what makes him a constant threat. He may not score every game, but he has a power behind his shot that you know is on the mind of every goaltender facing him. You have to know where he is on the ice at all times, if you don’t—it’s too late.
"As good as Weber is, and has been for Nashville, the Predators have never gotten past the second-round of the playoffs with him as the team’s captain. He’s going to be 30 years old next season. And with the Predators seeing dynamic younger players coming through their system, especially at the blueline, is now the time to deal Weber? [Puck Daddy]"
The Washington Capitals have never gotten past the second-round of the playoffs since Alex Ovechkin has been on the team. So, does that mean they should trade him? No. And this shouldn’t be any reason to trade Weber. He was out during the playoffs when the Preds took on the Chicago Blackhawks. And what happened? Oh that’s right the Blackhawks won.
Obviously, I am not saying the Blackhawks just won because Weber wasn’t in the lineup, but the Predators (even though they played well) missed his physical style, 106 mph shot and his overall leadership.
Here’s what I believe: the Predators still need and can use Weber. He is not washed up, he is not declining, and he’s still got (at least) a few good years in front of him.
If he has another bad year or if a downward trend seems impossible to avoid then I would say Nashville should start shopping him—but only then!
The Nashville Predators have become a dangerous and good team in this League. A major reason for their success is Weber. Why get rid of him now when his veteran experience alongside the younger and budding stars will make Preds hockey that much more exciting to watch.
I think, at least for the time being, Weber is exactly where he should be.
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