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playing the way we should be," Weber said.
NASHVILLE -- Predators captain Shea Weber says he feels lucky to be skating again a week after taking a puck to the face that left him unable to see much at all until the next morning. Swell Black Friday Sale . "Definitely very thankful and lucky that it wasnt worse," Weber said. "It could have been a lot worse and got a second chance here, and obviously hopefully it doesnt happen again." Weber took a puck off his face near his right eye Nov. 28 in a 3-0 loss to the Edmonton Oilers, dropped to the ice and then skated off straight to the locker room. He practiced Friday for the first time and also wore a visor to protect his eyes after an injury that had him worried because of the blood affecting his vision. "You cant see anything out of it and you wonder if its long term," Weber said. "I mean youre uncertain, so you just have to wait and listen to what the doctor says and the guys that ... have dealt with these things before you make any assessment. I mean its tough, but you dont want to jump to any conclusion." As a veteran, Weber has been among those players allowed to play without a visor. He has finished second twice in voting for the Norris Trophy given out to the NHLs best defenceman, and he won a gold medal with Canada in the 2010 Olympics. But he said he spent the first four or five days not allowed to leave the couch to allow his eye time to heal. He was able to see more the next day after the injury with his vision returning gradually. Now Weber is getting used to wearing a visor that he previously had worn only in tournaments like the Olympics. "Well see how it goes," Weber said about the visor. "I mean for right now definitely dont want to take any second chances and dont want to get hit again. So, hopefully I can just get used to it and its not going to be an issue and I can wear it going forward." The Predators made a serious investment in the defenceman they drafted 49th overall in 2003 in July 2012 when they matched a 14-year, $110 million offer sheet by Philadelphia. The 6-foot-4, 234-pound defenceman also is a two-time All Star. Nashville coach Barry Trotz predicted that wearing visors probably will be mandatory in the NHL in a couple years anywhere and pointed out Weber will need it in the 2014 Olympics, too. Trotz said he thinks Weber realizes hes gotten a second chance after an injury that could have been disastrous. "He was able to avoid that, and obviously with that hes taken the right precautions by putting on the shield and having a very productive career and livelihood for a long, long time," Trotz said. "Thats our goal with him and for him, and thats what he wants." Weber accompanied the Predators on their trip, and Trotz said the defenceman may play Saturday night against the Washington Capitals. The Predators certainly need their captain back. Goalie Pekka Rinne has been out since needing arthroscopic surgery Oct. 24 to clean out a bacterial infection in his Oct. 24, and the Predators hope to pick up his activity from his rehab Dec. 20. But no date has been set for his return. Weber defenceman has missed three games and was their leading goal scorer when he was hurt. With seven goals, hes tied with Erik Karlsson of Ottawa, Torey Krug of Boston and Michael Stone of Phoenix for most by defencemen. Nashville has lost three straight without him, and is 7-0 when Weber scores this season. "Obviously, a tough stretch here and not playing the way we should be," Weber said. Hydro Flask Cyber Monday . -- Zach Johnson is like most players at the World Challenge, not sure whether hes still playing in 2013 or if hes in the middle of the new wraparound season that officially started in October. Swell Cyber Monday . PETERSBURG, Fla.BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have suspended newly acquired defenceman Rostislav Klesla for failing to report to the teams AHL affiliate in Rochester. The Sabres announced the move Sunday, a day after Klesla told Canadian broadcaster TSN that he intended to not finish the NHL season, and instead planned to continue his career in Europe. Buffalo acquired Klesla and goalie Michal Neuvirth iin a trade Wednesday that sent goalie Jaroslav Halak and a third-round draft pick to Washington. Hydro Flask Black Friday. The Capitals had acquired Klesla a day earlier in a trade with Phoenix. At the time of the trade to Washington, Klesla had been playing for the Coyotes AHL affiliate in Portland, Maine. From the Czech Republic, Klesla has 159 points in 659 games split over 13 NHL seasons. Wholeslae Jerseys NFL Jerseys Cheap Wholesale NBA Jerseys Cheap NHL Jerseys Cheap MLB Jerseys Wholesale Soccer Jerseys Cheap College Jerseys Cheap Football Jerseys Cheap Basketball Jerseys Cheap Baseball Jerseys ' ' '
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