So Shea Weber got 7.5 million dollars from an arbiter this afternoon. Nashville is now scrambling trying to figure out what to do. We are at August 3rd right now and since it is a team elected arbitration, Nashville cannot walk away from the decision. The question is now what does GM David Poile do?
When it was revealed that Nashville offered 4.75 million, that had to be a kick in the pants at least somewhat. Remember that Weber was getting paid 4.5 million already. Now Weber and his agent were seeking 8.5 million (too much). In the end, the arbiter came up with 7.5 million which has already sent shockwaves into Nashville and the NHL especially because of marquis players that could come down the pike.
Now there has to be a sitdown that no one wanted. Poile will have to ask Weber point blank if he REALLY wants to be in Nashville. The time is essential because obviously Nashville could get more for him now than later. Imagine the package that Poile could get for Weber and then get some of the scoring his team so desperately needs while being able to develop more on the farm if need be.
They could also mend the considerable walls that have been put up. Fences would not do justice here considering how far apart the two sides were. Again the Preds really do not think Weber is worth 4.75 million. If they had offered 6 million, does the arbiter say 7 is good perhaps? Now we will never really know the answer to that.
The tough part becomes this. We have to figure out now where he is playing and then what he could do. This two pronged event has us thinking a lot. Well first off, let us give you his numbers and then we will put out a cautionary tale or two.
Shea Weber’s Career Numbers
| Yr | TM | GP | G | A | P | +/- | PM | PP | Sh | GW | S | ATI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05-06 | NSH | 28 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 42 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 46 | 17:00 |
| 06-07 | NSH | 79 | 17 | 23 | 40 | 13 | 60 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 152 | 19:23 |
| 07-08 | NSH | 54 | 6 | 14 | 20 | -6 | 49 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 152 | 19:30 |
| 08-09 | NSH | 81 | 23 | 30 | 53 | 1 | 80 | 10 | 1 | 4 | 251 | 23:58 |
| 09-10 | NSH | 78 | 16 | 27 | 43 | 0 | 36 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 222 | 23:10 |
| 10-11 | NSH | 82 | 16 | 32 | 48 | 7 | 56 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 254 | 25:19 |
| Car | 402 | 80 | 134 | 214 | 23 | 323 | 36 | 2 | 15 | 1077 | 22:06 |
Well I remember players like Dion Phaneuf and Jay Bouwmeester having this much promise. They both had amazing potential and Phaneuf once had a 60 point season before the wheels fell off in Calgary. That big season came at the age of 22. Weber will be 26 this upcoming NHL season and as for Bouwmeester, his best year came when when he was also 22 but followed it up with three very solid seasons then signed in Calgary. As a Flame it has gone nowhere near as well for Bouwmeester as he has not come close to cracking the 40 point barrier. In Toronto, Phaneuf has showed signs but has not done so either.
This is a critical crossroads for Weber, who you cannot blame for trying to get max value since the team elected to go to arbitration. Also, you cannot blame the team for trying to find a way to come up with a one year fix. In the end, the team lost this arbitration case and as a result of the process may have lost their Captain and best player.
It is reasonable to believe that Weber is not a player who will crack because of a new zip code or succumb to the pressure of potentially playing for a long term payday. Though stranger things have happened, it seems Weber is not long on Nashville. This will have ramifications on the likes of Ryan Suter, Pekka Rinne, and others in The Music City now.
Weber staying for the year really hurts no one IF he is sincere about staying. It hurts everyone if he says he is then is not. Like we said, an agreement has to be reachedHe as to if it is even fruitful to attempt a long term deal then go from there. There is a big fantasy asset that on the right team could be even more of a bounty so GM’s keep an eye on this.
While it is way too early to speculate where Shea Weber may go, it is not too early to give some numbers out. There will be more throughout August on this and of course on The Program tonight, we will have Buddy Oakes from Preds On The Glass for his take. Join in Nashville, we are curious what you think as well as NHL fans in general.
What I love about Weber is that booming shot like Zdeno Chara’s. He also plays with an edge and does not usually get a ticket to the penalty box all that often for a guy who is that physical. He has five or more power play goals in his last 5 seasons. Also, Weber is right around 250 shots a season which is excellent for a defenseman of his skill set.
He is also a Captain for a reason but now his greatest test comes. Can he put all the drama aside and produce the way he needs to for not only the $$$ but for fantasy owners?
Right now it has been said that David Poile will try to keep Shea Weber in Nashville. Here is the quote from Craig Custance of Sporting News.
Poile: “We’ll continue to work on a longer-term contact with (Shea Weber’s) agent once the season gets started.”
Yes surely there will be more quotent quotables to come but for fantasy owners that is the most essential thing right now. Knowing where Weber is going to play in October is paramount. Our early projection currently has Weber around 50-55 points with 20 goals, 9 of them coming on the Power Play. Clearly he is going to try and give it a full go no matter where he plays. Right now Nashville is his home and maybe something does get worked out after January 1st. Either way, he is a bonafide top five fantasy defenseman to take in any league.
Let us know what you think hockey fans. Will Weber get to 55 points or will he go higher or lower? Based on just simple progression, he is not going to crack (leadership skills are too good as well). His ATOI may approach 26:00 or more this year as well no matter what. Logging those minutes means more chances. Who knows maybe he breaks out a little more as our absolute high upside was 60-65 points with another team/contender. It should be interesting this season for Shea Weber as well as his fantasy owners.
