Darcy Regier and Ron Rolston have raved about the maturation and progression of power and leadership that Mike Weber made for the Sabres this past season. His teammates have nothing but admiration and respect for the protection and the defensive support that Weber provides the team with.
Weber, has been signed to a new three year contract extension, according to the man himself. Weber was due to become RFA on July 5.
Ott and Weber are pillars of the Sabres' new leadership group. They hold guys accountable.
According to reports, Weber will earn $5 million over the next three seasons ($1.5 million this season and next, and $2 million in the final year of the deal). Weber earned $1.9 million the past two seasons ($950,000 cap hit). This deal is a win/win in that it gives Webby the security of dollars and term. The team wins because Weber's new contract doesn't hurt their salary cap.
Weber is coming off his most productive season as a pro. He was Buffalo's best defenseman on most night and became a favorite player of Rolston after the trades of Regehr and Leopold. Rolston showed zero hesitation playing Weber in the final minute of games and on the PK. Weber told me several times in the past year that he benefited greatly by having a mentor like Robyn Regehr as a locker room neighbor and as a D partner. Weber is an astute student of the game. He has learned the nuances of the pro game from vets like Montador, Regehr, and Leopold.
Weber told me that he felt like his game rose to a new level when he played in Lorenskog, Norway during the NHL lockout. He told me that he played big minutes in the bigger is surfaces (200 by 100) in Europe, and that it helped him play on the NHL 200 by 85 rinks.
Weber's 2013 Highlights:
• He finished first among Sabres skaters in average short handed TOI (2:47) and blocked shots (92), as well as 2nd in hits (122) and penalty minutes (70)
• Scored his first goal of the season vs. OTT (3/16), his first since Jan. 21, 2012 at St. Louis
• Tallied an assist in consecutive games twice (1/29 vs. TOR and 1/31 at Boston; 2/28 at Florida and 3/2 vs. New Jersey)
• Logged a season-high 23:58 TOI at Montreal (2/2)
• Credited with eight blocked shots at Montreal (3/23)
• Recorded a pair of assists vs. Ottawa (4/5), his first multi-point game since March 19, 2011 vs. Atlanta
• Finished with eight hits and seven blocked shots vs. New Jersey (4/7)
Weber has evolved from a second round prospect with promise to being a reliable, sturdy, physical top 4 NHL D.
A disappointed Weber spoke candidly about his team's failures this past season. Weber vowed to come back better than ever.
Thanks, sabres.com
The Sabres have two RFAs to re-sign in center Cody Hodgson and winger Brian Flynn.
While you've been busy glomming down ice cream and super Mighties, Weber has been hard at work in the basement. Literally. Pumping iron and committing himself to doing the dirty work that will make him stronger, faster, and leaner.
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