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Shea Weber on the Move? Is It Really Even At All Possible?

November 27, 2015, 11:05 AM ET [79 Comments]
Eklund
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I have written many (almost countless times) about this. Would the Predators even consider moving their captain, Shea Weber? More and more people want to re-evaluate this given the rise of Roman Josi and the Preds extreme depth on the blue-line.

People oddly act as if because Josi has blossomed into a star in his own right that Weber's game has fallen off and therefore Weber is somehow expendable. I keep reading about how the Preds can't possibly afford to keep Weber around because they are such a small market and because he is somehow a luxury.

Did you watch the playoffs last year against Chicago after Weber went down?

Whether or not you like the Blackhawks, one can not diminish how much they, and to a large extent the Red Wings before them, have made the Central Division into what it is today. Perhaps, and I only say PERHAPS, if the Hawks didn't exist the Preds could consider life without Weber....but even after their very luke warm start the Hawks are still the issue.

It doesn't matter if Chicago finishes in 1st or 8th..If they are in the playoffs they are a problem.

For those who wonder if the Preds can afford Weber it is always forgotten how much harder he was to afford when they matched the Flyers offer sheet. Did they try to trade Weber to the Flyers and Rangers before that offer sheet was tendered?

Maybe...but inevitably they backed their mighty horse and were right to do so...and as much as that contract was terribly front-loaded the Preds only have this season and the next before Weber's contract becomes an out and out steal.

I asked a person I trust recently about this and they said, "No one wants to trade Josi, at all, but he would be moved before Shea. Shea Weber is the heart and soul and this franchise."

When I questioned the reasoning behind Weber's surprising lack of a No-Trade Clause I was told quite succinctly...."Why would Shea Weber ever NEED a No-Trade Clause?"

What Weber means to his team isn't always evident on TV, but when you watch the Predators live you quickly realize how much of a quarterback to the entire team Weber is. He is constantly directing his teammates to pick up open players and making them all aware of the threats around from atop his 6'4" frame.

Make no mistake about it...Weber's name will always pop up in trade rumors simply because there are few more coveted players in the game today...and he isn't slowing down just because Josi is getting better.

The Predators need to move a d-man for a forward...that I agree with. And they will add a top 6 forward by the deadline. People always look at Poile as being an "emotionless Spock-like conservative GM" because of his outward appearance...History shows us that when he needs to he can be incredibly risky and when he sees an opening for his team, like a slumping Hawks team, he jumps. Remember Kariya, Peter Forsberg...and last year as well picking up players at the deadline...

Side note:

David Poile and Paul Holmgren have teamed up for more than a few deals in the past and Brayden Schenn is a player I have heard the Preds really like. As of this point I dont believe Brayden is truly available and I don't see the fit coming back for Philly...but things can change...
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