What will it take to sign Shea Weber to a contract extension?
by Dirk Hoag on Jul 2, 2010 11:31 AM EDT
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PrintWhile Nashville Predators fans consider whether any outside additions will be brought in for the 2010-11 campaign, a cloud hangs over this team that casts a shadow over any potential salary forecasts - the impending contract expiration for star defenseman Shea Weber, who is eligible for restricted free agency next summer. Now that he is officially in the final year of his current deal (which pays him $4.5 million annually), the Predators can pursue an extension to lock up big #6 for the long-term.
This has got to be the top item on David Poile's agenda at the present time. After all, does it make sense to fill in gaps on the roster, and then see how much money is left over for Shea? Quite the contrary, as he is perhaps the most important player in the organization, the Predators need to consolidate the franchise's foundation and build out from there. To get a quick look at the team's commitments going forward the next few years, head over to NHLNumbers.com.
So what might it take to lock up the guy who's widely expected to become the next captain in Nashville? Sergei Gonchar just got $5.5 million per season for 3 years, and Paul Martin got $5 million for 5 years in Pittsburgh. Weber is younger than both of those guys, and is perhaps more well-rounded. While not having captured any major awards yet, his skill and physical ability rank him among the elite defenders in the NHL.
So what do you think it will take, folks?
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Okay, I'm going to go ahead and say it...
…pay him what he wants.
Seriously. Shea is easily one of the top 3 defensemen in the league. And he deserves to be paid like it. Mr. Poile, are you listening? Don’t pull that “develop and release” bullshit which you seem so prone to do.
He and Suter are the face of the Preds. Let’s keep it that way.
As a side effect of his prowess, he also keeps butts in the seats. And, as a result, we’re seeing a tremendous interest in hockey in the area. I mean, a new facility in the Boro, the appearance of new HS teams, and steadily increasing attendance numbers. Nashville really has arrived.
Go Preds.
Years
Offer him a $36-40M over 6 years extension right now. Once the season begins, it’s going to be tough to get him to sign anything because he will draw $7M/yr+ on the open market over similar terms/years once the season ends.
Although with Vancouver’s signings/commitments, I think that might dampen their ability to sign Weber = possibly one less suitor next year.
Dirk, would you say that naming Weber captain would theoretically make him ask for more money or settle for less?
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I don’t know if it would be a significant factor either way. It’s an honor, and makes Nashville more enticing as an opportunity, but it’s also a reflection of his value to the team above and beyond tangible on-ice production.
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Years and Commitment
I’d say 10-12 years at roughly $5.5 million or so.
More importantly, however, is the commitment from management and owners to want to win.
Nashville will have the budget room to sign Shea Weber. The real question to me is whether or not they can convince Weber that they are committed to winning.
They certainly haven’t convinced me yet.
David Singleton w/ HockeyIndependent
I agree.
Plus, with this year’s weak class seems like most people got overpaid, especially Gonchar.
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by red army line on Jul 3, 2010 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Weber and the budget
With signing weber and this teams budget what kind of team will we be able to build around him? This team could be fated to the success of the Milwaukee Brewers, or at best the Cubs until it can generate higher revenue. What will it take for Tennesseans to fill the building on most nights? Wining, fighting, flashy entertainment, or a big big name dude?
What will it take for Nashville to take to hockey like football....
It will never happen. Football will be king in the south always. However, if the local media would cover them like the Titans or even Vandy and UT it would help. Unfortunately we have a BS newspaper in the Tennessean. They would like nothing more than for the the Preds to leave. Every major article they have is negative towards the Preds. Back to topic. Webber should get around 6 mil a year.
My personal opinion
is Shea will be gone after this contract. he is one of the best D men in the league and he knows it. nothing wrong with that. but i’m not so sure he wants to stay in nashville. i have no proof of this just a gut feeling.
What
If you pay Weber more than six million a year your team is in trouble. Granted he is an exceptional Defense men, but he still is a defense men. There is no way anyone should pay that kind of money unless you are getting a defense men who can score goals like a Paul Coffey use to. The rest of your team will suffer in the salary cap era of the NHL. Oh yeah! Why the hell would Weber want to stay in a Nashville market when the team would be suffering trying to put someone around him. He’ll end up being like Ray Borque winning a cup with another team just before he retires.
If you pay Weber more than six million a year your team is in trouble.
Shea Weber is one of probably four franchise, cornerstone defensemen in today’s NHL. One of the others is Nicklas Lidstrom. His last deal paid him 7M/yr. I’d say those Wings teams did alright. Duncan Keith is being paid nearly 6M, the Blackhawks just won a Cup.
There is no way anyone should pay that kind of money unless you are getting a defense men who can score goals like a Paul Coffey use to
While I categorically disagree with this; Shea Weber scored twenty three goals as a defenseman in 08-09. If thats not enough goals for you, then I give up.
The rest of your team will suffer in the salary cap era of the NHL
The salary cap is 59.8m. Say Weber is paid 6. That leaves an average 3.1m for each player to fill out the roster, which is waaaaaaay more than enough.
Why the hell would Weber want to stay in a Nashville market when the team would be suffering trying to put someone around him
Because he’s going to be the captain, and win Norris Trophies. Because the Predators are one of four teams to win 40 games five years in a row. Because he’s probably not going to ever play with a better defensive partner than Ryan Suter. Because Patric Hornqvist, Colin Wilson, Blake Geoffrion, Taylor Beck, Ryan Ellis, Jon Blum, and Pekka Rinne give Nashville one of the NHL’s brightest futures.
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How does a defense men keep butts in their seats. People don’t care about solid defense. They want to see scoring and play makers for that kind of money! Go Blackhawks!
You say they want to see scoring for that money, but then say go Blackhawks – the Hawks pay Keith and Campbell some of the most salary for a D-man in the league, and goaltender Cristobal Huet makes insane amounts of money. They’re not scorers, what gives?
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