Report: Shea Weber will not play for the Canadiens next season; career likely over
Anthony Scultore
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Shea Weber has played 1038 regular season games. He’s registered 589 points and 714 PIM in those contests. The hard hitting defenseman has also picked up 42 points in 97 playoff games.
That may all be coming to an end as Canadiens GM, Marc Bergevin told the media Weber’s career is likely over.
Shea Weber career likely over
Bergevin spoke with the media today to provide updates on his team, when asked about the health of Shea Weber the answer was bleak. Speaking in French he detailed how injuries to his knees, ankle, and thumb made it difficult just to dress for a morning skate.
“So, coming back next season is really not a possibility,” he said, “probably not again in his career.”
The Habs stalwart on the blue-line will be 36 years old in August and the mileage every singe one of the 1000+ games he’s played have taken their toll. At this time the lingering injuries to his surgically repaired foot and ankle, plus his thumb may end his career.
Bergevin calls Weber irreplaceable
“I was amazed how he played,” Bergevin said Thursday via NHL.com. “He was one of our top-minute defensemen throughout the whole playoffs all the way to the Stanley Cup Final.”
Shockingly, Bergevin admitted that he had no idea as to just how bad Weber’s injuries were. He noted that the captain was not one to complain so he powered through.
“I think we’re all aware of their pain and what he was going through every day, but to that degree we didn’t know,” he said. “Shea, as you all know, is a man of few words and sharing or complaining about his body is not one thing that he does so I was very surprised.”
When asked how they will replace him the GM was quick to say you can’t. Bergevin stressed what Weber brought to the room more so than what he did on the ice as the biggest factor.
Montreal will likely place Weber on LTIR and gain the use of his $7.8 million cap hit. Look for them to go heavy after David Savard in free agency on July 28th.