Preds’ Weber returns to ice after concussion
Predators captain Shea Weber practiced Tuesday with limited contact for the first time since suffering a concussion 12 days ago, but his playing status for Thursday’s game against Dallas remains questionable.
It was in a game against Dallas on Dec. 23 when Weber took a high hit from Mark Fistric that left the defenseman with the injury causing him to miss the past four games.
Weber skated for the entire practice Tuesday, which took place at A-Game Sportsplex in Franklin as part of the team’s fan appreciation day.
He bumped lightly into his teammates at times and even tumbled to the ice once.
“We just kept him out of a little bit of the contact stuff,” Coach Barry Trotz said. “We probably should have put him in a different (colored) jersey, but everybody knew not to run into him. There wasn’t really any hitting drills or anything like that, so he was good.”
Trotz said Weber’s playing status remains unclear and depends on any symptoms resulting from the concussion he might continue to experience.
“There is still no time line on him,” Trotz said. “It’s when he feels comfortable; when he feels that he’s ready to go, then he’ll come and let us know. Between the doctors, the trainers and Shea, they’ll make that decision.”
The Predators would not allow Weber to speak with reporters.
Trotz said he and the other coaches were mindful to keep Weber from overdoing his first time back on the ice with his teammates.
“Shea is one of those competitive guys, and it’s hard for him to hold back sometimes,” Trotz said. “You just have to keep going by him and say, ‘Now don’t get involved, don’t get involved.’ But he had a lot of fun today. He said he was going stir crazy just riding the (stationary) bike.”
Nashville has won three of the four games with Weber out of the lineup, but he remains the team’s leader with 29 points (eight goals, 21 assists) and is second behind Ryan Suter in ice time (26:20).
Goalie Pekka Rinne said the practice had a different energy with Weber back along with fellow defenseman Kevin Klein, who returned for Sunday’s 5-3 win over Calgary after being sidelined five games with the flu, according to the Predators.
“It’s nice to have our full defense on the ice,” Rinne said. “Those guys are such a big part of our team. You could tell everybody was happy for them and happy they were back. Now we can move forward.”
Forward Mike Fisher said he was confident Weber was relieved to be able to practice.
“He seemed to be moving pretty well out there, and he looked good and it’s a great sign for sure,” Fisher said. “It’s not fun sitting out, especially with a concussion. There’s a lot that goes through your mind as far as timing and how long it’s going to take.
“I think he was pretty excited to get back out with the guys, and that’s one step closer and hopefully he can keeping making progress and be back soon.”
Forward Colin Wilson also practiced with the team Tuesday after missing the past two games with what the Predators termed an upper-body injury.
Wilson’s playing status for Thursday’s game also remains questionable.