Shea Weber: Why This Is Make-or-Break Season for Predators Defenseman

Entering the offseason, one of the most interesting free-agent stories was that of Nashville Predators defenseman Shea Weber.

The team's captain helped lead the Preds to the playoffs and "Smashville" was able to win its first playoff series in franchise history.

Weber was one of, if not the top defenseman in the league last season, finishing with 16 goals and 32 assists. He was a finalist for the James Norris Trophy and was hoping to be rewarded in the offseason.

Weber wanted to be with Nashville long term, but he wanted the team to put the right pieces around him, like the Columbus Blue Jackets are doing for captain Rick Nash.

After free agency began in July, the Predators did not do such a great job in making that happen as they lost Joel Ward, Steve Sullivan, Cody Franson and Shane O'Brien.

The team wanted to make sure they had enough money to sign Weber to a long-term deal, which unfortunately meant parting with players that were a huge help in making the playoffs.

Throughout Weber and the Predators contract negotiations, the two sides could not come to a compromise.

 The Predators offered $4.75 million, which seemed like a slap in the face for a player of Weber's caliber, that slap also happened to hit the face of the franchise.

Weber and his agent wanted somewhere around $8.5 million and would not budge.

In able for Nashville to prevent other teams from making offer sheets that they could not match, they decided to enter arbitration.

There, the 26-year-old defenseman was awarded a one-year $7.5 million contract, the highest cap hit for a defenseman in the NHL.

The Predators have the star under contract, but his days in Nashville could be numbered.

Weber now enters what could very well be the most important season of his career.

If at the end of the season, Weber and the Predators cannot reach a long-term deal, he will once again enter into free agency.

This season, if Weber can show Nashville that he is worth the money by putting up numbers identical or better than last year's, the team may be forced to pay him what he deserves.

The problem for Nashville is this situation could turn into a lose-lose for them. If Weber is impressive once again, the Predators will not be the only team in the league lobbying for his services.

 A team that has more money to spend in the offseason could put an offer sheet down on Weber—a sheet the Preds may not be able to match.

Nashville will have plenty of other issues to deal with next offseason apart from simply re-signing Weber. Two of his teammates, goalie Pekka Rinne and linemate Ryan Suter, will also be free agents.

Re-signing all three players seems like an unachievable task and one or two may have to be let go.

On the other hand, if Weber cannot put up similar numbers, the Preds could lose the momentum they gained with their first playoff series victory last year and the new found support from the fans.

Nashville leans on the captain and if Weber falters, his teammates could be very close behind.

For Weber, if he cannot put up impressive numbers, he could be playing his way out of a huge contract.

He would most likely still get a large, long-term contract, but nothing compared to the one he would get if he had another Norris Trophy worthy season.

Whatever happens, expect another interesting offseason for the best young defenseman in the league, one even more interesting than this one.

Unfortunately for the Predators, the tenure of the franchise's best player in Nashville could soon come to an end and they may not be able to do anything about it. Their only hope to try and keep him in town is to try and bring in the necessary pieces that he desires and place them around him.