Shea Weber awarded $7.5 million in arbitration

[UTVolCountry]

Nashville Predators' Shea Weber awarded $7.5 million in arbitration | The Tennessean | tennessean.com

The Predators knew they would pay a steep price on defenseman Shea Weber this offseason.

Now the price is known.

The 2010-11 team captain and Norris Trophy finalist will receive an award of $7.5 million for one year of service.

It is the highest arbitration award in NHL history and makes Weber the fifth-highest paid defenseman in the NHL next season.

During Tuesday’s arbitration hearing in Toronto, the Predators asked for an award of $4.75 million. Weber’s agents countered with $8.5 million.

The Predators filed for arbitration with Weber, a restricted free agent, earlier this summer in order to prevent another team from signing him to an offer sheet.

He will again be a restricted free agent after 2011-12 season, but the Predators cannot file for arbitration with him again.

In the meantime, the Predators and Weber can continue to negotiate a long-term contract. He can't become an unrestricted free agent until after the 2012-13 season.

Weber’s most recent contract, which expired July 1, paid him an average of $4.5 million per season.

He is just the second player this offseason and third player in Predators history to go through arbitration.

 

[recon]

$4.75M LOL