Shea Weber has managed to keep a core group of Nashville Predators players practicing with each other during the lockout. That group currently includes Mike Fisher, Martin Erat, Scott Hannan, Hal Gill, Matt Halischuk Brian McGrattan, and Nick Spaling. "I think we've all got hopes still and that's why we're here," Weber said. "We're still practicing. I think we're so close there's no reason why we can't get a deal done. Obviously we're still working towards that, and hopefully we can get something figured out."

Shea Weber isn't happy with the way the NHL is negotiating, but he's also not sure that decertification is the answer. "I'm not too sure right now," Weber said. "You hear about it in the media, but I think that we need to make sure we know what it involves, and what we might need to do or what might happen as a cause of it." Ryan Miller spoke out in support of it and, as Weber said, there's been lots of talk about it in the media, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the union will decertify in the very near future.

Shea Weber has some interest in playing in a charity game with other Predators' players, but nothing is imminent. "I think we've just talked amongst ourselves in here," Weber said. "There's definitely not enough guys here right now, but I think there would be some interest. Obviously Nashville is a great place and people love to visit it, and I think there's lots for people to do, and I think it would be a good spot to have one." In Chicago, the Champs for Charity game will be played on Friday and is expected to involve big name current and former Blackhawks players like Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, and Brian Campbell.

Shea Weber and several other Nashville Predators players ran a practice on Thursday. "Every day we're practicing trying to get better," Weber said. "You can't take your foot off the gas. You never know when things are going to get worked out. We're continually trying to be up-tempo in most game-like situations and practices." If it wasn't for the lockout, training camps would be getting underway.

Shea Weber participated in informal drills with his Nashville teammates on Thursday morning after arriving in town Wednesday night. He is glad that his "stressful" summer is behind him and he is focusing on leading the Predators. "It was obviously tough and stressful going through all of it," he said referring to the offer sheet situation that he signed with the Philadelphia Flyers. "Now that I look back, it's something I'll never forget. Not a lot of guys get to experience that side of it. There's a lot to the business. Obviously it's very complex. I learned a lot through all of it. Now I'm glad it's gone and we can move past it." He also spoke about his 14-year, $110 million deal not having a no-trade or no-movement clause. Weber said, "You have to move forward. I want to be here. I plan to be here for 14 years. Now it's not in my control. It's obviously up to them and whatever they want to do, they can do. But I love it here, I love my teammates and the fans and the city."

According to Shea Weber's agent, Jarrett Bousquet, his client's contract does not contain a no-trade or a no-movement clause. Weber signed a 14-year, $110 million offer sheet on July 24 from Philadelphia, but it was matched by Nashville. Under the current CBA, which is set to expire on Sept. 15, Weber cannot be traded in the first year of his deal, but he can be dealt at any time afterward. He hasn't returned to Nashville yet, where some of his teammates have started informal workouts.

Predators CEO Jeff Cogen understands the challenges of a small-market team, which have been heightened after signing Shea Weber to a 14-year, $110 million contract. "It's not about me," Cogen said. "We come to work every day and we want to enhance the fan experience. We want to monetize some of the on-ice successes and re-invest it back into the team. ."We hope to compete and not just survive in the NHL. I would argue we are [competing]." Since joining the Preds in the summer of 2010, Cogen and team president/COO Sean Henry have hit their goals of boosting attendance and Cogen hopes that "normal increases" will continue, despite the team's hefty investment in their franchise defenseman.

Shea Weber says he's committed to staying with the Nashville Predators. Weber's agent, Jarrett Bousquet suggested that his client didn't want to go through another rebuilding process, but Weber distanced himself from those statements. "I guess that was (agent Jarrett Bousquet's) feelings," Weber said. "Like I said, I was never a part of any of that. I didn't make any statements publicly. I love the city of Nashville. I love the fans and my teammates. It's a very positive thing that the ownership has stepped up and shown they're going to be a team that's going to spend to the cap and bring guys in and be a successful team." Nashville matched the 14-year, $110 million offer sheet that the Philadelphia Flyers' signed him to.

The Predators have matched the 14-year, $110 million offer sheet between Shea Weber and the Flyers. Many thought the Predators wouldn't be able to match, but the captain will remain in Nashville for likely the duration of his career as a result, signing the largest contract in franchise history. In a team release, the organization felt that Weber was the person it wanted to lead the Predators long-term, that he was a guy to build around for the future and that it wanted to send a message to Predators players and other teams that it would do what it takes to keep its best players in the fold. After losing Ryan Suter this offseason, the departure of Weber could've been disastrous, but seeing Preds ownership step up is nice to see. What the Flyers look to next is another question, but that will likely be one of the next most intriguing offseason storylines.

There have been no trade discussions between the Flyers and Predators since Shea Weber signed the 14-year, $110 million offer sheet last Wednesday. Sam Carchidi of The Philadelphia Inquirer received confirmation from "two sources with knowledge of the situation." Earlier reports hinted that Nashville would work out a deal with Philadelphia in return for not matching. This could now mean that the Predators have intentions of matching the offer or general manager David Poile hopes Flyers GM Paul Holmgren calls him with a can't-refuse proposal.