Montreal Canadiens captain Shea Weber’s future is uncertain, according to multiple reports.
The 35-year-old defenceman may not play next season – and possibly beyond – due to lingering knee, foot, ankle and thumb injuries. He missed the Canadiens’ final eight regular-season games with a thumb injury but played 22 games (one goal, five assists) during the recently concluded Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Canadiens, NHL and NHLPA are all looking into the long-time defenceman’s medical status and what it could mean for the remaining years on his 14-year contract, which he signed in 2012. Weber underwent surgery to repair tendons in his left foot in March 2018 and missed 80 games between 2017-19. He was limited to 48 regular-season games due to injury this season, scoring just 19 points (six goals, 13 assists).
According to reports, the Canadiens will expose the three-time Norris Trophy finalist in next Wednesday’s Seattle Kraken expansion draft, allowing Montreal to protect a healthier player.
Weber just finished his 16th season, accumulating 589 points in 1,038 career games with the Nashville Predators (2005-16) and Montreal.