Nashville Predators' GM David Poile focused on re-signing Shea Weber -NHL Free Agency Update
With the loss of defenseman Ryan Suter, losing Shea Weber would be disastrous for the Nashville Predators as he remains to be the only elite level defender they have left on the squad along with being the team captain.
Seeing the situation, Nashville Predators’ general manager, David Poile, is focusing all his concentration on getting the player re-signed on the club and this time, maybe a long term deal after a previous arbitration hearing last year that made him the
highest paid defenseman in the National Hockey League (NHL).
"Shea is the player we want to build our franchise around," Poile told The Tennessean on Friday. "He's our captain, he's our leader and at some point we would like to enter into a longer term contract with him. That's what our goal is and we'll see over
the next little while if we can make that happen."
Weber was awarded a one-year, $7.5 million deal last year and now, as he stands to be restricted free agent, arbitration might be in question yet again but the Nashville management is trying to play out all of their options.
"He believes in us, sees himself as the leader of our hockey club, and I think he, a lot like us, is disappointed with the outcome with Ryan," Poile added. "So having said that, we have to both get back up on the horse and find a way to fill the hole and
move forward. Hopefully that will be together. Right now, if you ask me, I think Shea feels that way."
Weber, a former second round pick of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, has been the face of the Predators ever since. Last season, the 26-year-old potted 49 points (19 goals, 30 assists) in 78 games played with an impressive plus-minus rating of 21.
As long as the Ryan Suter situation goes, GM Poile is working towards getting in a replacement to fill in the gap. According to Poile, a number of options are in view and an announcement in that regard may be made in the upcoming days.
For now, Shea Weber remains a RFA and an arbitration hearing cannot be ruled out.
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