Yannick Weber: Two Autographed Cards

 

The problem with Yannick Weber isn't what he can do - a booming shot from he point, decent first and offensive zone passes, perfect to quarterback a powerplay - it's that when a team has him, they want to use his qualities so much that they put him in a position where his shortcomings - lack of size, defensive-zone mistakes stemming from opponents' physical play - were exposed.

Having him in the lineup is akin to testing one's patience and restraint; the coach knows he has a weapon capable of scoring goals on the powerplay and who can hold his own against bottom-sixers, but may lead to trouble against top-six forwards if the play isn't taking place in the other team's zone.

He'll get a chance to shine with the Nashville Predators, joining fellow former Montréal Canadiens star P.K. Subban on a new-look Preds defense that still includes Weber's childhood friend Roman Josi, Ryan Ellis and Mattias Ekholm. Perhaps the best defense in the league for the moment, at least until the kids mature with the Philadelphia Flyers, Carolina Hurricanes and Dallas Stars.

He signed the two cards above in blue sharpie, probably during the 2011-12 season. Here they are in greater detail, first with the Hamilton Bulldogs' white (home) uniform, from In The Game's 2009-10 Heroes And Prospects set (on card #26 in the series):

And wearing the Habs' Centennial patch-clad classic red (now-home) uniform, on card #501 from Upper Deck's 2009-10 O-Pee-Chee set:

I wish him the best in Nashville, a team that will be a lot of fun to watch next season.