Weber’s career with Canadiens likely over

Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin doesn't expect Shea Weber to play next season and the team captain's career could be over as a result of numerous injuries he was trying to play through.

“I'm not counting on Shea Weber's presence in the lineup next season,” Bergevin said when he spoke with the media Thursday morning on a video conference.

Bergevin added that it's quite likely Weber's career is over.

The 35-year-old defenceman played through a thumb injury, along with ankle, foot and knee problems during the Canadiens' playoff run to the Stanley Cup final this season. Weber missed the last eight games of the regular season, but played in all 22 playoff games, posting 1-5-6 totals while averaging 25:13 of ice time.

Bergevin said that the pain has become too much for Weber to handle, adding it took him a lot of therapy just to be able to go on the ice for a practice this season. Bergevin said Weber is not a player who complains and that missing practice was never an option with him. The GM added that there is a lot of mileage on Weber's body and that he pushed himself to the limit.

Weber has five seasons remaining on his contract with an annual salary-cap hit of $7.857 million.