Nashville Predators files for salary arbitration with defenseman Shea Weber –NHL Offseason Updates
Showing the league that it wants to retain its defenseman, Shea Weber, Nashville Predators has filed for salary arbitration with the player, while negotiations continue, so that he will not be offered anything from other teams when he becomes an unrestricted
free agent on July 1st.
Shea Weber is still not tied down in any way. The decision and agreement hearing came underway on Saturday and Weber will have a choice until the 20th of July to decide where he wants to go.
In a move to protect itself from losing a valuable defenseman, Nashville Predators has been in talks with Weber’s agent, Jarrett Bousquet, for the past two days, as it continues to negotiate and agree on the terms and conditions for future contracts.
“For several reasons, we have been unable to complete a deal to date. While it has never been nor is it ever our preference to file for arbitration with any player, we must do so, on certain occasions, in order to protect our assets”, Predators’ general
manager, David Poile, said in a press release. “This filing will provide the Predators with the protection of securing one of our most valuable players during the upcoming free agency period while affording us the time to work with Shea’s new representatives
towards a mutually-beneficial long-term contract”.
Weber is a huge contributing force for Nashville Predators who went past the Western Conference quarterfinals for the first time in its history in the previous playoffs.
He made $4.5 million this past season and was also nominated for the Norris Trophy, which is given to the best defensive player in the league.
The 25-year-old, the 49th overall pick in the second round by Nashville, has remained with Predators for over six seasons now.
He played all 82 games last season and has registered a career record of 402 games played with 214 points, consisting of 134 assists and 80 goals.
The Canadian native from Sicamous, British Columbia, played all 12 games in the 2011 NHL Playoffs and scored three goals and two assists for a total of five points.
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