There is no doubt that Shea Weber is one of the best defencemen in the NHL. He is an Olympic Gold Medalist, a multi-time Norris finalist, and multi-time NHL all-star. A staunch defender with a wicked point shot, and great PP instincts, Weber has been bringing it at both ends of the ice for the Nashville Predators, who he captains. However recent events have put Weber’s Nashville future in doubt.
In order to keep Weber a Restricted Free Agent, the Nashville Predators made Weber a one year qualifying offer worth $7.5 million. This is the same amount as his salary from last season, which of course was awarded to him by an arbitrator a little less than one year ago. The deadline for signing Qualifying Offers was this weekend, however Weber did not sign. The team and the player have mutually agreed to extend the deadline to August 1st.
As we all know by now, Weber’s long-time defence partner Ryan Suter went to unrestricted free agency this summer. He signed a mega-deal with the Minnesota Wild. Unless Free Agency rules change in the new CBA, Weber would become eligible to be an unrestricted free agent next summer when he reaches the age of 27. Signing his one year offer sheet could put Weber in the same situation that Ryan Suter was in this year, the most sought after free agent on the market.
However, here is where things get messy. First off one of the requests made by the NHL in the new CBA negotiations would involve requiring players to wait longer before becoming UFAs. While the League’s ten year proposal is probably a bit excessive, there is a chance that they may be able to push the age for UFA back giving Nashville more control over Weber and his contract status. This would delay Weber’s potential shot at the open market and will cost him money, even if he does stay loyal to the Preds. He will lose some bargaining power.
Weber also has to consider that the NHL really wants to close of the salary cap loophole that are long-term contracts such as the one Suter signed. Negotiating a long term front loaded deal with the Preds now may be in Weber’s best interests, as it is unlikely that such a deal will be possible under a new CBA. This can mean a lot more money for Weber upfront, and be beneficial to Nashville as they would be able to reduce his cap hit.
From Nashville’s perspective, Weber is the face of their franchise. Nashville needs to get this deal done, and make it a long term one. They have to get this guy signed as he means everything to them. He’s clearly the best player in Predator’s history and a big reason why they are consistently competitive year in and year out. After losing Suter, they quite simply can not allow the same situation to play out with Weber, and should be willing shell out the cash to keep him happy.
If Weber were to signing the offer sheet, at best Unrestricted Free Agency would be staring Weber in the face next off-season, and at worst, the Predators and Weber would go through the same song and dance as a Restricted free agent next summer. With Nashville’s loss of Suter, plus the draft picks they gave up for Gaustad, Kostitsyn, and Gill, and the departure of Radulov yet again, the Preds can’t afford to take the risk that Weber could be one and done. If they can’t re-sign him long term, they need to trade him and recoup assets that a Norris finalist could bring in re-building the team.
In this way, a long-term deal for Weber just makes sense for both sides. The next few weeks should tell us if they can get it done.
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