Predators file for arbitration with Weber
Basically, this buys the Predators time. Another team cannot give Weber — a restricted free agent — an offer sheet. Also, if the Predators and Weber cannot work out a deal before late July, he will go to arbitration and be given either a one- or two-year award. This means that Weber will most likely be a Predator next season.
More interestingly — at least in my mind — Weber has switched representation from Newport Sports to Titan Sports Management, the same group that represented defenseman Scott Niedermayer. It’s unclear what prompted this move — as of about two weeks ago, Newport still represented Weber.
Also, in Wednesday’s news conference with Predators General Manager David Poile, no indication of an agent switch was given. But clearly, Nashville felt it needed some more time to make sure it could lock up Weber. And all indications are that the goal hasn’t changed — to get Weber signed in Nashville for a long-term deal.
Here’s a statement from Poile released today by the Predators:
“It has been, for some time, and remains our intention and goal to sign Shea Weber to a long-term contract with the Nashville Predators. For several reasons, we have been unable to complete a deal to date. Given certain mechanical provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and to provide our franchise with protection for one of our most important assets, the Predators filed paperwork by the designated deadline for potential salary arbitration with Shea Weber.
http://blogs.tennessean.com/predators/2011/06/18/predators-file-for-arbitration-with-weber/