Story Summary
ZSC Lions are holding discussions with captain Patrick Geering and Yannick Weber over their futures, with both veteran defencemen nearing the end of contracts that expire in spring.
Weber, 38, and Geering, 36, are the two oldest regular defencemen in the Lions squad. Team manager Sven Leuenberger said the club must balance the value of experienced players with the need to make its blue line younger over time.
Neither player appears ready to stop playing. Geering said he remains physically well, enjoys the game and still has the desire to win, while taking his future on a year-by-year basis. Weber, who has been with ZSC since 2021, shares that wish to continue his career.
Key Facts
- Patrick Geering, 36, is ZSC Lions captain and has a contract that expires in spring.
- Yannick Weber, 38, is also out of contract in spring and has played for ZSC Lions since 2021.
- ZSC Lions team manager Sven Leuenberger said talks over both players’ futures are ongoing.
- Five of ZSC Lions’ regular defencemen are over 30.
- Leuenberger said the club will need to rejuvenate its defence at some stage.
- Geering said he has no physical issues and does not currently view this season as his last.
IHM Discussion
The conversations place two established players at the centre of an important squad-planning question for ZSC Lions. Geering and Weber bring experience to a defence that Leuenberger described as strong but not youthful, with five regulars aged over 30.
Leuenberger did not dismiss either player’s value. Instead, his remarks framed the talks around timing: ZSC want to avoid keeping players beyond the point at which they can still contribute effectively, while recognising that both remain good hockey players. Geering’s comments make clear that retirement is not his immediate intention. He said he still feels capable of playing and is approaching the decision one season at a time.
For Weber, the position is similar. Having been with the Lions since 2021, he also wants to continue playing, leaving the club with two experienced defencemen who are open to remaining but whose situations must be assessed within a broader renewal of the blue line.
Why It Matters
Geering’s captaincy gives his situation added significance for ZSC Lions, while Weber is the oldest regular defenceman in the group. Their negotiations are therefore not simply individual contract matters; they sit alongside the club’s stated need to refresh an ageing defensive unit.
The immediate issue is whether ZSC can retain experience without delaying that longer-term transition.
Mini Q&A
Which ZSC Lions players are in talks over their futures?
Captain Patrick Geering and Yannick Weber are in discussions with ZSC Lions as their contracts expire in spring.
Are Patrick Geering and Yannick Weber considering retirement?
Neither appears ready to retire. Geering said he still feels physically well and has plenty of hockey left in him, while Weber also wants to continue his career.
Coach Mark Comment
An experienced defensive group can offer calm decision-making and leadership, but renewal has to be managed before it becomes unavoidable. ZSC Lions are addressing that balance directly: Geering and Weber remain motivated to play, while the club is already conscious of the age profile across its regular defence.
What Comes Next
The next clear checkpoint is the expiry of Geering’s and Weber’s contracts in spring.
IHM Final View
ZSC Lions have not reached a public resolution on either contract, but the direction of the discussion is clear. Geering and Weber want to keep playing, while the club is weighing their continued value against a stated need to make its defence younger.
