Shea Weber - Nashville Predators

In preparation for the upcoming season I am going to feature one player from every team in the NHL. Goalies are excluded because they’re interesting enough to garner a feature of their own so look forward to that as round 2.

#6 Shea Weber – Nashville Predators– Defense

The Past

Shea is a hockey playing god from Canada who was drafted 49^th overall in 2003 by the Nashville Predators. Look how freakin young and innocent Shea looks in the pic below. Aww….

He looks so different from the beast he is today. Weber has a huge list of accomplishments under his belt for a 27 year old – Gold at World Juniors, Gold at Worlds, Olympic Gold, three NHL All Star Games, and he rocks the C for Nashville week after week.

The Love

Other than his obviously insane hockey skills, I also love that Shea Weber can grow one hell of a beard. Seriously, it is really impressive. So impressive it has its own twitter account - @SheaWebersBeard with 835 followers!!! Come on, that’s freakin hilarious!

The Hate

The only thing I hate about Shea Weber is that he didn’t end up a Flyer and that is in no way his fault. If you don’t know about the whole Flyers offer sheet debacle that got everyone really worked up this summer then you obviously popped over here accidentally from the Swords page and are likely confused. So here is the breakdown: Basically one of the two greatest teams in the league, the Philadelphia Flyers, offered Weber $110 million for 14 years and he signed it. Flyers fans rejoiced and there was dancing in the streets... well not quite but we were all really happy. Unfortunately Weber was a Restricted Free Agent so Flyers fans were on pins and needles for almost a week. For those of you who don’t understand NHL Restricted Free Agency don’t worry it’s confusing as hell. Basically Nashville had a week to either match the offer and keep him or let him go to Philly. So obviously Flyers fans assumed he was ours and photoshopped together awesome pics of Shea in Flyers gear and we talked trash to other fans in the league via twitter about the huge acquisition. We all planned to rock Shea’s sweater next season.

Even Danny B had a quote

“It’s pretty exciting, but we have to wait a little more before we can imagine what it would be like to have him in our lineup.” – Danny Briere

We were oh-so-sad when Nashville matched the offer and Shea has to stay in Nashville. So basically Flyers fans will hate Nashville for the next 50-or-so years because they basically stole him from us (not the other way around) and that is how we roll.  I’m especially angry because Danny had his hopes up and fuck if I’ll let anybody disappoint my Danny. Grrrrrrr….

Let’s Get Scrappy

Weber is a big, physical dude so naturally he gets into a few fights. The fight below is from this past season and Weber fights Todd Bertuzzi. I am slightly disappointed with this one because of my dislike for Bertuzzi, I wish Weber would have at least drawn some blood.

And this next is a weird one for me. Although Shea has the upper hand I give Kesler props for going up against a much bigger guy. Also I have a lot of love for Ryan Kesler, Team USA boy and the subject of that photo… but we’ll discuss that at a later date.

Feed the Inner Fangirl/Fanboy 

Shea Weber is a beast. Basically he’s 6’4”, 234 pounds of sexy Canadian hockey-playing greatness. Do I crush over him a bit? Fuck yeah I do!

If that picture doesn’t make you swoon then check out the video below.  Regardless of your favorite team I think we can all appreciate a beauty when we see one.

Let’s Mix in Some Swords

Shea Weber would obviously be Drogo. If I let my eyes go out of focus, like in those weird drawings found in mall kiosks, they almost look alike and especially if Weber has a rockin playoff beard. But beyond that he’s a strong and fair leader. He is quiet but honorable. He’s a good guy who tries to do the right thing but doesn’t back down from uncomfortable situations. Basically, he’s our hero. Swoon!

Kisses!

~Saucer