Shea Weber cleared to play

NASHVILLE Nashville Predators captain Shea Weber, a finalist last season for the Norris Trophy, given to the NHLs top defenseman, has been cleared to play following a concussion and will return to the lineup on Thursday against the Dallas Stars. With concussions taking down some of the NHLs top players this season at one point its biggest star in Pittsburghs Sidney Crosby, who remains out following a brief return, its leader in points in Philadelphias Claude Giroux and one of its most recognizable names in the Flyers defenseman Chris Pronger were all out at the same time the injuries have made major headlines in the sport. Weber returns after having missed only 13 days and four games. Nashville went 3-1 without him. Itll be good, Weber said. Obviously, the guys have been playing really well, so hopefully I can fit back in and keep it going. Weber is among the games most physically intimidating players at 6-foot-4, 232 pounds but he said he would not change his hard-hitting game. Everythings fine, obviously, he said. I wouldnt have been cleared to play if its not, so its going to be. Im sure Ill try to get into it (physically) early and Im definitely not going to change the way I play. Weber ranks third in the NHL among defensemen in points with 29 in 35 games. He also is a team-best plus-14 and his 26:20 per game ranks fifth in the NHL. Nashville coach Barry Trotz said he is glad to have such a key player back in his lineup. He would boost any team, not only us, Trotz said. Trust me. Hes one of those elite defensemen that you dont really replace. Hes excited to be back. Nashville ranks seventh in the Western Conference with 46 points, holding a three-point lead over the Stars, who come in with a game in hand. Weber and Trotz said the Predators could not afford to seek retribution against Dallas defenseman Marc Fistric, who was the one who gave Weber the concussion on Dec. 23. The Predators asked the NHL league office to review the game tape for supplementary discipline against Fistric, but the high hit was unpenalized at the time and Fistric was not suspended.