Shea Weber being absolutely shredded for absence during Guy Lafleur's memorial

The hockey world and the Montreal Canadiens in particular lost one of the great players not only in franchise history, but a true ambassador for the game. Habs legend Guy Lafleur passed away last week at the age of 70 after a two-year illness, prompting several tributes from the sports world and beginning a state of mourning in Quebec, where he starred for so many years. 

Prior to yesterday's home game against the Boston Bruins at Bell Centre, the Canadiens featured a video tribute to the late Lafleur, followed by a near ten-minute ovation of applause in celebration of his life. 

However, there was one notable absence from the ceremony, and now that player is being raked over the coals. Canadiens captain Shea Weber, who has not played all season and will likely never suit up in the NHL again, was nowhere to be found at Bell Centre on Sunday, or for that matter, around the team at all during the 2021-22 campaign. 

While speaking on host Patrick Lagacé's show on Montreal's 98.5 FM, journalist Alexandre Pratt called into question Weber's commitment to the team that he's still technically a part of, as well as his seeming inability to grasp the gravity of just what Lafleur meant to the province. 

"Weber should have been there," Pratt said. "It was probably the most important ceremony for the next two to five years." 

Pratt was quick to note that Weber was on hand in Nashville last month as the Predators retired the jersey number of goaltender Pekka Rinne. He also explained that the team is hoping Weber will limit the disrespect and at least make an appearance at Lafleur's national funeral service, which is scheduled for May 3. 

The fact that Weber couldn't be bothered to show up as a sign of respect and solidarity as team captain to the tribute to one of the franchise's all-time legends is truly worrisome, and certainly calls into question whether or not Weber was the right choice to wear the "C" on his sweater.