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Various outlets are reporting that Shea Weber has a lingering issues with his foot/amkle injury. We had heard a few days ago that Weber might miss the start of next season, but the report now is that it could be even longer, and potentially career-ending.
I’m hearing the @CanadiensMTL won't protect Shea Weber for the expansion draft. Following the latest medical evaluations, he could miss all of next season. If not more.
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) July 14, 2021
Shea Weber's career is being threatened by lingering foot and ankle problems.
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) July 14, 2021
Sources tell @FriedgeHNIC that Weber, the Canadiens, the NHL and the NHLPA are doing their due diligence on the captain’s medical situation and future.https://t.co/FwHuren7US
Further to what @renlavoietva reported, can report that there’s concern for Shea Weber over knee, ankle and thumb injuries. May not play next season. Habs haven’t made any final decisions on expansion draft yet but seems likely they won’t protect him. Weber saw doc today.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 15, 2021
It was obvious in the regular season that Weber’s mobility was a significant issue, but he looked like a different player in the playoffs. Apparently that was a case of him working through the pain — of both the foot issue and a broken thumb — to give the team its best chance at a Stanley Cup.
The Canadiens will instead protect three other members of the blue line, likely Jeff Petry, Joel Edmundson, and Ben Chiarot. In a recent article, all four polled members of the EOTP staff had Weber on our lists of player to be exempt from the Seattle Kraken expansion draft. It would be a major blow to the team to lose its captain and one of its top defenders.