Shea Weber and the Nashville Predators went through the arbitration process, and that process has made Weber the highest-paid defenseman in the NHL in terms of salary cap hit.
Shea Weber Awarded One Year, $7.5 Million Contract By Arbitrator
It was reported by CBC on Tuesday that Weber’s camp suggested a high offer of $8.5 million, while David Poile and the Predators entered the meeting with a low offer of $4.75 million. Obviously, both numbers are to the extreme end of the spectrum, but unlike in other sports, the arbitrator doesn’t have to accept one of the two proposals. They’re simply suggestions on which he or she can base the final decision.
Now, the next step for Poile and the Predators is to lock up Weber to a long-term deal. Who knows how much damage was done to the relationship between the club and the player during the often-nasty arbitration process on Tuesday, but that could certainly factor into things going forward. If they were to agree on a contract, they can’t announce it until January 1, 2012 at the latest according to CBA rules.
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