Brutal update on Shea Weber...

We knew before the 2021-22 season even started that captain Shea Weber was not expected to play this year. There was even talk that a return to the NHL was doubtful, however, on Wednesday, Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin all of those doubts out of the water, stating that “it’s a long shot” that Shea Weber plays in the NHL ever again.

Weber has been dealing with a number of injuries, including to his foot, ankle and knee. On Wednesday, Bergevin mentioned that the veteran blue liner has not undergone surgeries since the end of the postseason in July.

While the GM would love to see him back on NHL ice, he appeared almost hopeless.

Weber was taken in the second round of the 2003 NHL entry draft (49th overall) by Nashville and has played 1,038 regular-season NHL games for the Habs and the Predators. He’s tallied 589 regular-season points (224 goals, 365 assists) and added another 42 points (18 goals, 24 assists) in 97 playoff appearances.

The Habs are now 0-4 at the start of 2021-22, which prompted Bergevin to meet with media on Wednesday so things don’t get out of hand under the pressure in Montreal. Bergevin also mentioned his desire to return to the Habs after the end of his deal this season, and how he does not intend to make a monster trade this early in the campaign because things aren’t going well.

It’s easy to see how the Canadiens’ dressing room is missing Weber’s leadership and his presence on the back end. This brutal update will only damper more the Habs’ fans’ spirits, especially with his terrible start to the season.