Weber to stay at Nashville after signing $110m 14-year deal

The 26-year-old former Olympian will stay with the Predators after they decided to match a lucrative deal from the Philadelphia Flyers.

Nashville Predators star Shea Weber watches his teammates in action
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Shea Weber will receive one of the longest contracts in NHL history after agreeing a lucrative 14-year deal worth $110 million (Dh404m) to stay with the Nashville Predators.

The Philadelphia Flyers tried to woo Weber away with the third-longest contract offer in National Hockey League history, but the Predators decided to match the offer sheet and keep Weber.

The 26-year-old Canadian is considered one of the top defensemen in the league and was selected to the first all-star team the past two consecutive seasons. He also has one of the hardest slap shots in the game.

Weber, who will make $14 million in the first year of the deal, helped Canada win the Olympic gold in Vancouver two years ago.

Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said Weber was worth the money because they feel he is at the top of his game right now.

"We were trying to add a top defenceman entering the prime of his career," Holmgren said. "With Nashville matching our offer, we wish Shea and the Predators all the best."

Weber earned $7.5 million last season with Nashville, with nine goals and 49 points in 78 games.

Nashville made Weber a second-round draft pick in 2003 and he has been the team captain for the past three seasons.

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