"The way I see it, the salary cap is going to be about $71 million next season, and the Predators currently have close to $51 million committed for 2014-15. That means they'll have to spend another $5 million just to get up to the floor, even with Weber on their payroll," said Ken Campbell of The Hockey News. "So with Weber, the Predators get a hefty salary that helps them get up to the floor and it just happens to be attached to one of the best defensemen on the planet."

And while the Predators do need more offense, Weber does provide a special skill — his 106 mph slap shot, one of the most feared and potent in the NHL — that might lead to more points than fans realize. He was just a minus-2 this season for a team with a minus-19 goal differential.

"The Predators would have to get very lucky to get another face of the franchise in a trade for Weber," NHL.com's Rosen said. "They made him the most important player in franchise history when they matched the contract. Let him be that and build around him."