Habs ChronicleHabs Chronicle

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

    Facebook Twitter
    Facebook Twitter
    Habs ChronicleHabs Chronicle
    • Home
    • News
    • Editorials
    Habs ChronicleHabs Chronicle
    Home»Editorials»The Ultimate Test of Shea Weber’s Leadership
    Editorials

    The Ultimate Test of Shea Weber’s Leadership

    Who will step up in Weber's absence?
    Tyler Russ-HoggBy Tyler Russ-HoggSeptember 19, 20213 Mins Read
    Twitter Facebook
    Photo Credit: NHL.com
    Twitter Facebook

    As we head into training camp for the 2021-22 NHL season, the Habs team that made it to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 1993 has changed significantly in just a few short months. Among the most drastic is the loss of captain Shea Weber to long term injury. Weber was not just a top pairing defenceman for the Canadiens throughout their playoff run, but a fierce competitor and a player that led by the power of his example.

    The loss of Weber is going to hurt on and off the ice. We’re talking about one of the most respected leaders across the National Hockey League. Marc Bergevin himself labelled Weber irreplaceable, even as he signed his ostensible replacement David Savard to a four year, 3.5-million-dollar contract.

    Savard may bring some of the on-ice qualities that Weber has shown throughout his career. He will be a big, net-clearing presence and he brings the experience of having just won his first Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning. He does not, however, fill the gap left by Weber’s leadership. Since Max Pacioretty was traded away for a surprisingly good return (a little Nick Suzuki anyone?), this has become Weber’s team through and through. He, perhaps along with Carey Price, has been its undeniable leader. Weber demonstrated those leadership qualities when he defended his goalie in a press conference after they lost to the Lightning in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

    Weber played through some hard times in Montreal, with the club failing to make the playoffs for multiple years. He also presided over the deepest playoff run this city has seen since 1993, and we have since been informed that he did so while playing through multiple career threatening injuries. When Marc Bergevin was asked in a press conference whether there would be an interim captain this year, he quickly made it clear that that wasn’t even an option.

    Considering Weber’s undeniable position at the helm of this team, who then remains to fill his shoes. Brendan Gallagher is the heart and soul of the team, giving all of himself every night and doing it with a smile on his face. Jeff Petry has been the only defenceman capable of stepping up and proving he has the capacity to perform as a number one defenceman when Weber has been injured. Paul Byron knows all about adversity and hard work, being in constant threat of demotion while wearing an A on his chest.

    And finally, Carey Price. Price is the backbone of this team when the cards are down. Price is at his best when the games matter most, and his teams have always played at their best when he is at the top of his game. The entire leadership core will be called on to do their part to steer the young talent of this team in the right direction.  

    None of these players can replace Weber alone, but as the leadership core of this group, they will have to try. This team will surely miss Weber’s legendary leadership, but these are the moments when new leaders are born. Most of the players on this team have played with Weber as their captain. This season, they will have to show that they have learned from his example. If his leadership can shine through even in his absence, then his legend will only grow.

    close

    Welcome to the newly
    relaunched Habs Chronicle Blog.

    Sign up to receive awesome Habs content in your inbox, as often as you'd like.

    Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

    Canadiens gallagher Habs petry Price Weber
    Share. Twitter Facebook

    Related Posts

    Reviewing Montreal’s 2022 Trade Deadline

    March 26, 2022By Jacob Pâté

    Who Stays During a Rebuild, and Who Goes?

    February 15, 2022By Jacob Pâté

    The Habs Will Score How Many Goals!?

    October 13, 2021By David F.

    Habs 2021-2022 Preview: Part 3 – Goaltenders

    October 13, 2021By Daniel F.

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Latest Posts
    News

    Reviewing Montreal’s 2022 Trade Deadline

    March 26, 2022
    Editorials

    Who Stays During a Rebuild, and Who Goes?

    February 15, 2022
    Editorials

    The Habs Will Score How Many Goals!?

    October 13, 2021

    Habs ChronicleFollow

    Habs Chronicle
    HabsChronicleHabs Chronicle@HabsChronicle·
    8h

    Not enough.

    AHL Communications@AHLPR

    Rochester's Ben Holmstrom has been suspended two games as a consequence of his actions in Sunday's Game 1 at Laval.

    📝: https://theahl.com/holmstrom-suspended-220524

    Reply on Twitter 1529195806045229061Retweet on Twitter 15291958060452290612Like on Twitter 152919580604522906138Twitter 1529195806045229061
    HabsChronicleHabs Chronicle@HabsChronicle·
    11h

    Who needs Slafkovsky when you have Joel Armia

    IIHF@IIHFHockey

    JOEL ARMIA 💥

    Armia goes all the way and gives @leijonat the first goal of the game.

    #FINCZE #IIHFWorlds @CanadiensMTL

    Reply on Twitter 1529158364101595136Retweet on Twitter 15291583641015951367Like on Twitter 1529158364101595136266Twitter 1529158364101595136
    HabsChronicleHabs Chronicle@HabsChronicle·
    12h

    Kent Hughes on the @CamandStrick podcast says that the first time Jeff Gorton called him about the GM job, he said no.

    Gorton was persistent, and the rest is history.

    Reply on Twitter 1529140888697544705Retweet on Twitter 15291408886975447054Like on Twitter 1529140888697544705179Twitter 1529140888697544705
    Retweet on TwitterHabs Chronicle Retweeted
    CanadiensMTLCanadiens Montréal@CanadiensMTL·
    13h

    Notre espoir Sean Farrell marque le but d'assurance pour les États-Unis en filet désert, en toute fin de match!

    #IIHFWorlds https://twitter.com/usahockey/status/1529123697277157378

    USA Hockey@usahockey

    Empty netter from @seanfarrell_21 to make it 4-2 with less than a minute to play. #MensWorlds

    Reply on Twitter 1529126727288487936Retweet on Twitter 152912672728848793610Like on Twitter 1529126727288487936201Twitter 1529126727288487936
    HabsChronicleHabs Chronicle@HabsChronicle·
    17h

    Guhle with a goal and assist last night for Edmonton.

    His stellar playoffs continue!

    The WHL@TheWHL

    Tonight's @SandmanHotels #WHLPlayoffs 3 Stars:

    ⭐️Justin Sourdif, @EdmOilKings
    ⭐️⭐️Gage Alexander, @WHLWpgICE
    ⭐️⭐️⭐️Kaiden Guhle, Edmonton

    Reply on Twitter 1529062257166008323Retweet on Twitter 1529062257166008323Like on Twitter 152906225716600832376Twitter 1529062257166008323
    Load More...
    Editorials

    Habs 2021-2022 Preview: Part 3 – Goaltenders

    October 13, 2021
    Editorials

    The Ultimate Test of Shea Weber’s Leadership

    September 19, 2021
    Editorials

    Habs 2021-2022 Preview: Part 2 – Defense

    September 17, 2021
    Facebook Twitter
    • Home
    • WRITE FOR HC

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.