Nashville Predators defenseman Shea Weber could be the first restricted free agent this offseason to go all the way to arbitration after months of negotiations between Weber and the Predators have yielded no results in terms of a contract extension for next season – and after.
Weber, whose arbitration hearing was scheduled for this morning, was rumored to be seeking roughly $8 million a season. However, Nashville reportedly wants to lock up Weber long-term for $4.5 million a season – a ludicrously low salary if indeed that rumor has any factual merit. However, Nashville certainly could be looking to retain Weber with a long-term front-loaded contract that could keep his cap hit relatively low, but for a team with one of the lowest payrolls in the NHL, it appears as if the Predators would like to retain their top talent for as low as possible – something highly unlikely if negotiations proceed to arbitration.
Dion Phaneuf of the Toronto Maple Leafs will make $6.5 million this season. Both Phaneuf and Weber share similarities in their size and punishing style of play, but Weber, who is a year younger, is a better defenseman and was even nominated for the Norris Trophy last season as the league’s best defenseman. Phaneuf was nominated for the Norris in 2007-08. Weber’s camp will likely cite some of these similarities during the arbitration hearing to convince the arbitrator that Weber deserves at least $6.5 million a season, and likely more.
The problem is that there aren’t many contracts for solid, young defenders to compare to. In fact, Weber’s arbitration award could set the curve for other young restricted free agent defenders such as Zach Bogosian of the Winnipeg Jets and Drew Doughty of the Los Angeles Kings. In fact, there has been speculation that negotiations between Doughty and the Kings have been so slow because both sides are waiting to see what kind of deal Weber gets and use that deal as a starting point for negotiations.
Going to arbitration could have ill effects on the relationship between Weber and the Predators as well. If rumors are true that Nashville was trying to secure Weber for $4.5 million a season, Weber could see that as a sign that the team isn’t willing to spend to retain their top talent and build a winner, giving Weber incentive to leave when his arbitration awarded deal ends and he can become an unrestricted free agent. With Weber’s size and shot, surely any team would be happy to give Weber what he deserves in a heartbeat.
Since Nashville opted to initiate the arbitration, they are required to submit to the arbitrator’s award no matter what the outcome, as opposed to player-requested arbitrations where a team can choose to walk away from the award if they don’t agree with the amount and allow the player to become a free agent. This makes it hard to believe that Nashville would low-ball Weber with $4.5 million a season knowing he will likely recieve $6 million per season or more through arbitration, lending credence to rumors that perhaps Weber was looking for a higher salary, shorter term deal that would allow him to test the market as an unrestrtced free agent in a couple of years.
Regardless the outcome, Weber’s arbitration hearing today could have drastic ramifications both for Nashville and Weber, but also throughout the league as other teams will look to use his salary award as precedent for signing their players. And take note – Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne and defenseman Ryan Suter will also be watching this scenario unfold very closely as both are set to become unrestricted free agents next season. If Nashville isn’t willing to spend the money on Weber, a proverbial tent-pole of the team, then why would they be willing to spend on Suter and Rinne? Both could opt for greener pastures when their time comes.
I was reading an article today about this and it stated that since the club filed for arbitration they were required to pay whatever the decision was. The player was not allowed to sign other team’s offer sheets due to the rules that govern club filed arbitration rulings.
I think $6.5 cap hit is a very reasonable number for a multi-year deal. If its only one year I would expect it to be a little higher. He is a stud.
Good call Nick. I double checked the rules regarding team-elected arbitration and Nashville is stuck with the contract no matter what. Since they were the ones who opted for the arbitration they forgo their right to walk away and allow the player to become a free agent. I updated the article to reflect the new info.
It’s tough to guage what Weber will get through arbitration because, like I said, in the article, there aren’t many other contracts to compare it to, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he got a one-year award for about $7 million.
[…] Contact Us « Shea Weber arbitration could have league-wide ramifications […]
The verdict is in. One year $7.5million. Seems about right especially if he gets hurt he could be done lots of risk only asking for a one year deal. I guess the player could have asked for either a one or two year deal (not up to the club) and he elected for the one year. I’m thinking it might have been smart for him to take a two year deal to take himself to free agency.
I’m thinking that Weber took the one-year deal in hopes that an offer sheet comes his way next season. The ball is in Weber’s court since Nashville can’t file for arbitration next summer. If Weber opts not to file for arbitration, I think he can basically hold out until he gets the type of contract he wants.
Nashville also has the option of trading Weber this season as well. It really wouldn’t surprise me if Weber is playing elsewhere even before the start of this season.
[…] be interesting to see not only how Nashville handles the arbitration award with Weber, but to see how Weber’s $7.5 million award effects other restricted free agent signings, particularly that of Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty who is believed to be seeking money […]