Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Yannick Weber
See More
Weber had three points in 41 games last year, his worst output since the lockout-shortened campaign in 2013-14. Never one to etch his name on the scoresheet frequently, Weber tested the waters in free agency. He didn't land a deal anywhere, but the Predators brought him back on a tryout and may sign him near the end of training camp. Weber won't have a guaranteed job to begin 2020-21, but with injuries a concern among the Predators' depth defenders, he could still draw into a fair number of games. Fantasy managers will safely be able to pass on the 32-year-old Weber, as he hasn't topped double-digit points since 2014-15, when he had 21 in 65 games for the Canucks.
The 30-year-old has never been much of a scorer, and that continued in 2018-19. Weber only managed two goals and eight points in 62 games last campaign. When he dressed, Weber generally skated with Matt Irvin as part of the Predators' third defensive pairing, but he was a healthy scratch more often than not at the end of the season, and didn't play at all in Nashville's six-game, first-round series. Even after the P.K. Subban trade, the Predators have enough blue-line depth to make Weber expendable, so he could sit for 20 (or more) games again this campaign. Even in the highly unlikely event that he's able to secure an every-night role, Weber won't produce enough offense to be worth a roster spot in any fantasy format this year.
With Ryan Ellis missing the first half of last season following knee surgery, Weber was one of several Predators defensemen called upon to help fill the void. Nevertheless, the versatile skater wound up playing in only 47 games all year, compared to 73 the season before. He spent most of his time on the third defensive pair opposite either Matt Irwin or Anthony Bitetto and finished with just two goals and three assists. Having signed a two-year extension with the Preds in January, expect more of the same from Weber this year.
Weber was a solid third-pairing defender for the Preds last season. He played in a career-high 73 games, but didn't score much, registering just a single goal and seven assists over that span. Weber is really more of a shutdown guy at this stage of his career, and and will likely be called upon to fill a similar role with the Preds this season.
At age 26, Weber enjoyed his best NHL season yet last year, appearing in a career-high 65 games for Vancouver and notching new career marks with 11 goals and 21 points. The 26-year-old is a power-play specialist who struck five times with the man advantage in 2014-15 and also added three assists. The 5-foot-11 blueliner averaged a modest 17:11 of ice time last year, but with the departure of veteran Kevin Bieksa, he could be asked to take on a larger role this season. The former Canadien has a blistering shot and could do some major damage if he sticks on Vancouver’s top power-play unit with the Sedin twins and Radim Vrbata. While he’s had his share of durability issues, Weber is emerging as a key piece to the puzzle in Vancouver, and he was accordingly re-signed to a one-year deal in the offseason. Likely lining up alongside Dan Hamuis on Vancouver’s second defensive pairing in 2015-16, Weber could be in for his most productive offensive season to date as he plays for a new contract.
Weber found some success in his first season in Vancouver, recording six goals and 10 points in 49 games. His main value came on the power play, where he used his lethal shot to score three goals. What’s most impressive about Weber’s five power-play points was that he recorded them despite averaging just 1:34 of man-advantage time per game. With Jason Garrison now departed to Tampa Bay, Weber should land a permanent spot on one of the power-play units this upcoming campaign. The 25-year-old has offensive capability, but has never played more than 60 games in a season and will likely battle for a spot on Vancouver’s third defensive pairing.
After spending the previous five years with the Canadiens, Weber signed a one-year deal with the Canucks this offseason. He flashed some offensive tools with the Habs in past seasons, but Weber was buried on the depth chart most nights last year, as he managed to appear in just six games. He’ll be in the running for a spot on the Canucks’ third defensive pairing, but Weber is also just as likely to slide in to the seventh or eighth spot in the defensive unit. And that would mean plenty more healthy scratches in his near future.
Weber returns to Montreal for another season. His biggest asset is the booming shot from the point, which has landed him some power play minutes (four goals on the man advantage in 2011-12), but, he can be a liability on defense. He's in a similar situation as fellow Habs' defender Tomas Kaberle -- some offensive gifts but prone to misplays in the back end. With a lacklustre offense, the Canadiens can not afford to give full time minutes to guys like Weber, who will battle for one of the final three defenseman spots with Kaberle, Francis Bouillon and Raphael Diaz. His experience playing wing will be an asset when head coach Michel Therrien makes out the roster that breaks camp.
Weber was called up in December and stuck on the Canadiens roster for the rest of the season, playing in 41 games. He’s like a Swiss army knife for Montreal coach Jacques Martin, slotting in at defense or forward while capable of playing on the power play. It looks like his path to regular playing time will come as a defenseman and he’ll compete with newcomers Raphael Diaz and Alexi Yemelin for a spot in the final defensive pairing.
Like Mathieu Carle, this young D-man projects as a top-4 defender and like Carle, he's at least one year away from making an impact. The Swiss citizen tore up the Ontario Hockey League in his two seasons there, racking up 96 points and 121 PIMs in just 110 games. Habs' fans have to love his combination of grit and skill. Think Mark Streit with a mean streak.
