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Preds, Weber prepping for emotional return to Nashville

Joe Sargent / National Hockey League / Getty

It's going to be real dusty at the Bridgestone Arena on Tuesday night.

Shea Weber, who spent 11 years - six as captain - patrolling the blue line for the Nashville Predators, returns to the city as a member of the Montreal Canadiens, and it's going to be bittersweet and emotional.

"You know Shea meant everything to this franchise," general manager David Poile, who traded Weber to the Habs in the summer for P.K. Subban, told reporters Monday. "I think it's going to be emotional for so many people including myself to have him back in our building."

Weber's been honest about the emotion that came with a life-altering trade over the summer. The shock's worn off, and he's settling into life as a Canadien, and is fifth on the first-place team in scoring, with nine goals and 12 assists. The 31-year-old's also been honest.

"I wanted to be in Nashville my whole career," Weber told The Tennessean's Adam Vingan. "Especially a team where you're drafted and you spend so much time, you want to bring the Stanley Cup to that city. That's your goal ... That didn't happen."

The Predators will honor Weber on Tuesday, and there will be cheers and tears.

"When I think of the Nashville Predators, (Weber's) right at the top of the list for me," Poile told Vingan. "I think this franchise would've been in a lot of trouble if not for Shea Weber. It all started with Shea. Shea could do it all."

Weber's chapter as a Predator will officially come to an end Tuesday. Closure, for everyone but Subban, who will make his return to Montreal on March 2.

"I'm not going to lie - there's probably going to be a lot of emotion. I'm human," Weber said. "I spent a lot of time (in Nashville). I put a lot of hard work and effort into everything I did there."

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