(Sports Network) - The Nashville Predators have signed defenseman Shea Weber to a three-year contract and also finalized an agreement with goaltender Dan Ellis. Weber, entering his fourth season with the Predators, will earn $13.5 million. He was a second-round pick, and the 49th overall selection, of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

"Shea has evolved into one of our core players," said Predators president and general manager David Poile. "He is both a player and a person that every team covets. He is big and strong, skates well, and possesses a booming shot."

Weber missed 28 games last season and finished the campaign with six goals and 14 assists for 20 points. After appearing in 28 games during the 2005-06 season, he had a breakout year in 2006-07 with 17 goals and 23 assists for 40 points in 79 games.

In 161 career NHL games, the British Columbia native has 25 goals and 45 assists for 70 points. He has added three goals and six assists in 15 playoff games.

Ellis, who agreed to a deal before the draft last week, will receive $3.5 million over two years.

"We have the utmost confidence that Dan Ellis is a No. 1 goaltender in the National Hockey League," Poile remarked. "When given the opportunity to display his skill and talent, he rose to the occasion, and was a crucial part of our team making the playoffs in 2008."

Ellis, who turned 28 on Thursday, led the NHL with a .924 save percentage last season and posted a record of 23-10-3 with a goals-against average of 2.34 and six shutouts in 44 games.

In his final 26 decisions, Ellis notched a mark of 17-6-3 to help the Preds capture a fourth straight playoff berth. He also set a franchise record with a shutout streak of 233:38 from March 22-30.

A second-round pick by Dallas in 2000, Ellis only played in one game with the Stars in 2003-04 before bouncing around the minors. He signed as a free agent with Nashville last July and emerged as the team's top goaltender, supplanting Chris Mason, who was traded to St. Louis on Friday.





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