Whatever it was Drew Doughty was asking for, it just went up. I know it’s apples-to-oranges. I know Shea Weber had arbitration rights and Doughty doesn’t. I know Weber is a half a decade older. I don’t think it matters. Of course it matters to Lombardi’s argument. Doughty/Meehan can just argue that — even if everything Lombardi is saying is true — the market for defensemen just went up, for everyone.
And, that’s just one more reason for Doughty to want to get to UFA sooner.
The Hockey News: Headlines: Predators defenceman Shea Weber receives US$7.5-million award in arbitration
A salary arbitrator has made Nashville Predators defenceman Shea Weber the NHL’s highest-paid blue-liner. Weber received a US$7.5-million, one-year award on Wednesday. The decision came one day after the Predators captain went through team-elected arbitration. It’s the highest award ever granted and puts Weber ahead of Florida Panthers defenceman Brian Campbell and his $7.14-million cap hit. Weber had 48 points (16-32) in 82 games last season and was a finalist for the Norris Trophy.
Not that I’m being a pessimist or a Cassandra. It’s just that every time someone says “it’ll get done, it’ll get done,” I think…why is that, again? I’m not saying we’re doomed or anything. I just don’t see why people are so sure this will all get worked out before training camp.