When you talk about the five best defensemen in the NHL, Shea Weber has to be one of the names you talk about. The Predators' captain is the team's best player. Not only is he a great defender and leader, but he is also a valuable threat on offense.

Weber is set to become a free agent, but he loves playing in Nashville and will certainly re-sign with the Preds. He's the face of the franchise, so money and years are no problem even though the Predators are short on money. I'm betting that Weber will give his team a discount of some sort. The James Norris Trophy nominee's 16 goals were tied for fourth among all defensemen in the NHL, and that stat shows his offensive ability. Weber had 48 points in total.

Webs loves the fans and the city of Nashville, and he may just end up being the best defenseman in Predators' history when he retires. Weber has the second most goals in franchise history among all defensemen with 62. Since he came into the league, the only defenseman with more goals than Webs during that time span is Mike Green with 70.

Shea Weber was third among defensemen in the league with 524 shots on goal. Weber was 6th in the NHL in hits, and he is great at both defense and offense. He is one of the top shutdown defensemen in the NHL, and I also believe that Weber is is one of the top 40 players in the game right now regardless of position. The Predators should certainly consider themselves lucky to have him.

He is a workhose who also has a gold medal in the Olympics, He was the best defensive player and had the highest TOI on Team Canada. Weber is extremely clutch and is consistently among the league leaders in game-winning goals and power play goals. You know what makes this more incredible? It's the fact that Weber is such a great shutdown defensive player. That's what we call a two-way threat.

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Posted By: Joe Soriano - Category: NHL, Mike Green, Shea Weber

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2010 PSW Norris Trophy

April 23rd 2011 13:32

There were many defensemen that had great seasons this year, and it is extremely difficult for me to pick just one of them. Keith Yandle, Lubomir Visnovsky, Zdeno Chara, Nicklas Lidstrom, Kris Letang, Dustin Byfuglien, Shea Weber, and Christian Ehrhoff were outstanding in the 2010-2011 NHL season. My pick will be given to the guy that was a great defender and a great points-scorer as well.

Detroit Red Wings Nicklas Lidstrom

Nicklas Lidstrom is one of the best players of All-Time, and he has still been incredible as he has gotten older. We all know him for his leadership and stingy defense, and the captain has won the Norris Trophy six times in his career. The 40 year old defenseman recently was named one of the nominees for the Lady Byng trophy, and this is a testament to Lidstrom's sportsmanship. Loui Eriksson and Marty St. Louis are also in the running for the award that Lidstrom has been nominated for six times in his career.

There will be a street 30 miles from Detroit named in Lidstrom's honor. He was second behind Visnovsky in points scored for defensemen with 62. However, Lidstrom was the better player in defense; obviously the main duty for a defenseman. Lidstrom showed his workhose mentality and importance to his team by playing in all 82 games. It's yet another reason why he is a leader for the Wings.

Nicklas Lidstrom is one of the best players in the league on the power play. He is one of the main reasons as to why the Red Wings are tied with the Lightning for the team with the fourth best power play percentage in the league. His efficient offense, great passing, superb special teams ability, smart defense, and key leadership make him my Norris Trophy winner of this year by the slightest edge over Lubomir Visnovsky.

2010 PSW Norris Trophy Winner

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Posted By: Joe Soriano - Category: NHL, Kris Letang, Zdeno Chara, Dustin Byfuglien, Martin St. Louis, Detroit Red Wings, Nicklas Lidstrom, Shea Weber, Christian Ehrhoff, Lubomir Visnovsky, Loui Eriksson, Keith Yandle

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3/2011 Defenseman Rankings

March 2nd 2011 16:17

It is time to rank the best defensemen in hockey. To my hockey readers, I hope this list isn't too terrible as I am just starting to get into hockey. My hockey knowledge is pretty low, but I will try my best to put together a decent looking list.

1. Nicklas Lidstrom
2. Zdeno Chara
3. Dan Boyle
4. Sergei Gonchar
5. Dustin Byfuglien
6. Mike Green
7. Chris Pronger
8. Duncan Keith
9. Kris Letang
10. Brian Rafalski
11. Shea Weber
12. Alex Goligoski
13. Christian Ehrhoff
14. Lubomir Visnovsky
15. Tomas Kaberle
16. Keith Yandle
17. James Wisniewski
18. John-Michael Liles
19. Jack Johnson
20. Drew Doughty
21. Niklas Kronwall
22. Bryan McCabe
23. Kimmo Timonen
24. Joni Pitkanen
25. Mark Giordano
26. Tobias Enstrom
27. Brent Seabrook
28. Ryan Suter
29. Jay Bouwmeester
30. Marek Zidlicky

14 Defenseman

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2/27 NHL Game Previews: Blue Jackets and Predators

February 27th 2011 10:41

I have decided to bring in some more content from other sports such as hockey to give people the sense that Pro Sports Wrap encompasses all of sports. I am previewing a game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Nashville Predators. There are trade rumors circling Predators' star Shea Weber, while Craig Rivet is set to make his debut for Columbus. Both teams are 31-23, but Nashville has two ties which make them higher in the playoff standings by two spots (10 to 12). Even though they wouldn't be in the playoffs if the playoffs started today, both teams are very much alive in an extremely close playoff race in the Western Conference.

I don't know that much about hockey, but I will try to attack this game as best I can. Let's start with the Blue Jackets and their best player Rick Nash. He leads both teams coming into this game with 29 goals. Nash is one of the biggest stars in hockey and is regarded by some as a legendary player. I would vote for him into the NHL HOF. Anyway, Jakub Voracek is doing a great job of passing it around. Matt Calvert's had trick is fresh in his mind, but P.J. Umberger is the left wing to watch. The Predators are going to be busy with four athletic wingers that are balanced on both sides in their passing, goal scoring, and explosiveness. Steve Mason is solid in goal for Columbus.

Pekka Rinne has been enjoying an exceptional season in goal for Nashville, and it will be interesting to see how he handles the star power that Columbus possess on the wings. Shea Weber has 37 points, which is quite remarkable for a defenseman. He is the captain and the team's star and franchise player. Weber won't be afflicted by all the contract uncertainty surrounding him. He will focus on trying to stop Nash and Umberger. Fellow defensman Ryan Suter is a great team player that has formed a nice partnership with Weber.

Martin Erat and Patric Hornqvist are really going to be hit or miss today. I like Erat more as a player because of his track record and the fact that he is just plan downright better. Hornqvist is okay, but the Nashville's right wing is Erat's to own. David Legwand has been a disappointment so far this year, but the Predators have a good one and two center in Legwand and backup Colin Wilson. Sergei Kostitsyn will be the Predators' main attacking threat, especially because fellow left wing J.P. Dumont has been fading for a while.

Both teams are pretty much evenly matched, but the Blue Jackets' defense is what makes them lose a tight one. I really love the combination of Weber and Suter. It is going to be a tight game and a fun one to watch. I think it is a 3-2 game with Sergei Kostitsyn emerging as the game's MVP. It is an extremely tough game to predict.