The Predators and captain Shea Weber are both preparing for their scheduled Aug. 2 arbitration hearing in the event a deal isn't reached prior. Only once this offseason — Chris Campoli and the Blackhawks — has a team and player not come to terms before an arbitration hearing. "It would be way better for the player and the team to negotiate a contract," Predators general manager David Poile said. "But the arbitration gives you that ability if you can't do that. And right now that's where we fall if we can't get a contract done."