PredsFanTheBayouState

i cried myself to sleep last night and could not focus at work today. he will missed in the hockey world. rest in peace belak

What Weber’s contract means Surprisingly, all parties involved in Shea Weber’s contract negotiations did not (at least publicly) sound upset about Weber’s one-year award for $7.5 million. In fact, they sounded strangely more confident that a long-term contract could eventually be reached with the Norris Trophy runner-up.“Obviously nobody wants to come to that, but it is what it is. We have something in place for now, and hopefully that can allow us some more time to get something longer term done,” Weber said. “This is a temporary solution. I love it in Nashville. I love my teammates. I love the fans and the city. This is what we have for right now, and we’re going to go from here.” General Manager David Poile’s voice sounded slightly upset that an accord could not be reached, but still seemed hopeful that the Predators and Weber could eventually come to a deal. Weber is not an unrestricted free agent until July 1, 2013. “I’m not pessimistic, I’m optimistic we can get a longer term deal done,” Poile said. Poile admitted that he was worried that the $4.75 million salary number he submitted to the arbitrator would insult Weber. But his captain said he understood it was just the part of the business. “Obviously they’re trying to get the best deal they can,” Weber said. So what does this all mean? For starters, it means that Weber will probably be a Predator next season, though for a pretty hefty price. He was given the largest arbitration award in NHL history and will be the highest paid player on the Predators next season. Weber is the top paid NHL defenseman in terms of salary cap hit, and the fifth-highest paid defenseman in terms of real dollars. Though Poile sounded confident that he could eventually land Weber for a longer-term deal, this one-year award could make it tough. Weber will make $7.5 million next season, and will probably get a raise next summer. Depending on what happens after the collective bargaining agreement expires in 2012, Weber may be able to command upwards of $9 million by the time he hits UFA status. For argument’s sake, if Ryan Suter — an unrestricted free agent next summer — asks for a deal similar to Weber’s, and Pekka Rinne — also a UFA next summer — asks for a contract in between $6 million and $7 million, the Predators could end up with more than $22 million locked into three players. This is all speculative, but Weber’s deal may have increased the worth of not one, but three players to the Predators. At the moment, the Predators are barely above the $48.3 million salary cap floor at $48.7 million. In Wednesday’s teleconference, Poile hinted at a desire to acquire a top-six forward — something he has said since the end of the season. With the free agent market bare, that would have to be via trade. After Nashville’s Game 6 loss to Vancouver, Weber said he believed the team needed more offense. Canucks forward Ryan Kesler single-handedly took over that series with 11 points in the six games. Nashville had no real answer. So far this offseason, Poile has yet to heed his captain’s words. Niclas Bergfors was a nice pickup, but probably not exactly what Weber envisioned for a team that finished 21st in goals scored last year. The Predators were also unable to come to terms with all their unrestricted free agents (Nashville opted not to negotiate with Steve Sullivan and Shane O’Brien) and Weber’s childhood friend, Cody Franson was traded as part of a salary dumping move. The Predators have subtracted more than they’ve added this offseason. Columbus did a nice job appeasing its captain, Rick Nash with two splashes. The Blue Jackets acquired James Wisniewski and Jeff Carter. We don’t know if these will work out long-term, but at least for the short-term, they satisfied Nash — the face of the franchise. Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet short-term to appease your franchise player. With all their cap space, it’s a good bet to believe the Predators are positioning themselves to make a move, but it’s tough to know when Poile will strike. The moral of this whole situation is as follows. The Predators kept Weber, and that’s highly important. Feelings were not hurt, and Weber maintained his desire to stay with the Predators. But there’s still a lot of work to be done.

last night at the skate of the union at bridgestone arena the preds unveiled their new home jersey:

good luck trying to get him,every team wants him,so it will be a fight for him,he might want to go home to BC to play for the canucks hopefully he signs a long-term contract with the preds

who wouldn't be jealous of the wings,11 stanley cups,6 conference championships,6 presidents' trophies,19 division championships,and has the best defenseman in the nhl.

how do you actually know that nobody wants to play in nashville

that is not the best logo ever.would hate that on the front on my jersey.

it is not enough to stop to the vancouver canucks fans from making " Let's get weber" comments

i would hate the wings for the rest of my life,if they somehow manage to get shea weber,but i will never hate shea weber,if he ends up a red wing then he will probally be booed for the rest of his career when the wings come to nashville.

shea weber said this: It's going to get done," Weber said, according to The [Nashville] Tennessean. "Obviously, this is a place I love to play, and you saw how close we were this year to getting to the conference finals, and possibly further. This is a place I want to be, and it's going to be a matter of time before something gets done."

today has been a sucky day,this is why i don't look forward to july 1,because i know david polie won't do nothing to improve the predators team.

at least your gm is aleast signing players,i keep waiting for david polie to aleast do something to improve the predators team,but all that has happened for the preds is lose players.

i was so excited on the day that i heard that paul kariya was going to be a nashville predator,the best present that i have gotten was a autograph paul kariya mustard preds jersey,it will forever hang in a shadow box on my bedroom wall.

draft day really sucks when your team doesn't have a first round pick. it is all carrie underwood fault that nashville traded their first round for this years draft to the senators for her husband.

is his name shea freakin weber

how do you know that the preds are not trying to win and actually make money,you aren't part of the preds organization and don't know what goes on behind closed door.not every team can be as successful as the detroit red wings you are entitled to your own opinion about the city of nashville and the state of tennessee,but i disagree with your opinion,i have my own opinion about the city of dertoit and the state of michigan,but i think neither are a complete joke.

I AM PROUD TO BE A NASHVILLE PREDATORS FAN,the city of nashville is not a joke and neither are fans of the nashville predators.nothing can take away my love and support for the nashville predators,whether the preds win or lose,make the playoffs or don't make the playoffs,win a stanley cup or not win a cup. don't count on the preds moving to quebec anytime soon,because hockey is growing in music city. i must be idiot,beacuse i keep buying the teams crap and i will continue to keep buying.

most people don't know what a mudbug is. i will not eat those things

i was shocked when i read on the icegators facebook page that the mudbugs have ceased operations. now we are down to one hockey team in louisiana

shea weber and ryan suter are a dynamic duo in nashville,can't break them up.

Yzerman knows how much nick lidstrom means to the detroit red wings and how much the reds wings means to lidstrom,so i don't think Yzerman will try to take lidstrom away from the wings and bring him down to tampa bay.

the world would definitely end,if lidstrom signs with lightning.

have you seen the icegators new logo:

i remember the mudbugs from the wphl days,i was a lake charles icepirates fan back in wphl and now,i'm a icegators fan.

the preds third jersey were suppose to be a gold color,not mustard color,i decided two years ago that i should put my mustard autograph paul kariya jersey in a shadow box and put it up on my bedroom wall,since kariya no longer plays for the preds.