Predators Trade Rumors

Predators' Dan Hamhuis may play again soon
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October 27
Tennessean
 
"Monday was Hammer's time. Predators defenseman Dan "Hammer" Hamhuis, skated with the team for the first time since suffering an upper-body injury on Oct. 15 against Chicago. Hamhuis said he expects to play Wednesday at Minnesota. "I felt really good today and actually have felt good the last few days," Hamhuis said. "When I was skating by myself, I was getting better and better. Today was the real test, skating with the guys, and I think I passed the test." The Predators have not officially revealed the nature of his injury, but Hamhuis appeared to sustain a head injury. Hamhuis said he is not viewing Wednesday's game as a trial run and is preparing to remain in the lineup, including when ..."
Predators won't get J.P. Dumont back just yet
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October 14
Tennessean
 
"The Predators coaching staff was optimistic earlier this week about J.P. Dumont's availability for tonight's game at Dallas. A little too optimistic, it turns out. The veteran forward is still recovering from concussion-like symptoms suffered after being hit in the season opener at Dallas on Oct. 3. "As soon as he gets back, he's a guy who will be able to help us," Coach Barry Trotz said. "When he's ready, he's ready." There has been no setback in Dumont's recovery, however. He skated with the team Tuesday and said he does not have that foggy feeling in his head that he's had the last several days. "That's definitely gone," Dumont said. "I don't feel off anymore. Hopefully it will be the ..."
Predators expect J.P. Dumont back soon
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October 4
Tennessean
 
"Predators Coach Barry Trotz said the injury that knocked forward J.P. Dumont out of Saturday's game in the second period does not appear to be a serious one. Early in the second period, Dumont was checked hard into the sideboards by Dallas defenseman Stephane Robidas after delivering a centering pass. He remained prone on the ice for a few minutes, but after being attended to by trainers, Dumont was able to get up, leave the ice and head to the locker room. He did not return, but Trotz said that was for precautionary reasons."
Predators start to collect injuries
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September 23
Tennessean
 
"The Predators practiced without eight players Monday - forwards Jason Arnott, Ward Belak, Ben Eaves, Steve Sullivan, Joel Ward and Colin Wilson, as well as defensemen Cody Franson and Alexander Sulzer. Coach Barry Trotz said Arnott is dealing with a minor upper-body injury and Franson is still recovering from the broken nose he suffered during a fight last Thursday, while Belak, Eaves, Sullivan, Ward and Wilson are believed to be recuperating from groin strains. All the injured players are basically day-to-day, Trotz said. "This is a good time to get them healed because we've pushed them hard,'' Trotz said. "They've skated and worked hard, so let's get the soreness out, so that they're not ..."
Predators pursue Bruins' Phil Kessel
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September 17
Tennessean
 
"The Predators have offered a combination of draft picks and prospects to Boston for forward Phil Kessel, General Manager David Poile said Wednesday. Now it's time to see whether Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli chooses to deal Kessel to the Predators, to another team or - less likely - re-sign him. "I certainly believe in being aggressive and persistent and going after what I want. But I've made it clear what we can do,'' Poile said. "It's fairly apparent what other teams are doing.'' There have been reports saying Toronto is willing to give up two first-round draft picks and a second-rounder for Kessel. "If (Chiarelli) gets two firsts and a second, he's getting really good compensation,'' Poile ..."
Phil Kessel trade likely
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September 17
Boston Herald
 
"Because of the looming threat the Bruins will not be able to match an offer sheet for free agent Phil Kessel, two well-placed sources in Toronto said the team is close to pulling off a blockbuster trade involving the 21-year-old sniper. According to the sources, the deal likely will be finalized within the next week, as four teams are in the running. Toronto and Nashville have made the best offers in talks with B's general manager Peter Chiarelli. Minnesota and the New York Rangers also are in the mix. The Bruins hoped all along to keep Kessel but could not re-sign him despite making a lucrative offer, so they are close to getting what they can for him and moving on. "We're obviously at an ..."
Predators covet Boston Bruins scorer
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September 13
Tennessean
 
"He's a 21-year-old restricted free agent who has 55 goals over the past two seasons, and the Predators are in need of offensive help. So it would only make sense that Nashville would have an interest in Boston forward Phil Kessel. Predators General Manager David Poile confirmed as much on Friday, saying he's talked with Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli and Kessel's agent, Wade Arnott, in recent days. "He's a young player that scores goals,'' Poile said, "and that's very much of interest to us.'' The Bruins still hold the rights to Kessel, meaning they could match any offer made by another team. But the Bruins are considering trading Kessel because they are less than $2 million under the NHL ..."
Predators coach expresses interest in Chris Chelios
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August 28
Detroit News
 
"Ageless former Red Wings defenseman Chris Chelios may not have to go to Russia to continue his hockey career. The 47-year-old has been approached by the Nashville Predators. Predators coach Barry Trotz told the Nashville Tennessean, "I said, 'Chris, are you sure you'd have the interest of playing in Nashville, because you're not exactly well-liked here?' He said, 'Trotzy, trust me, I'm not well-liked anywhere.' I said 'Yeah, I guess you're right.' " Chelios had been in discussions with teams in the Russian KHL league."
Even with solid, young corps, Preds seek older defenseman
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July 2
Nashville City Paper
 
"The Nashville Predators believe it's only a matter of time before some more of their young defensemen are ready for the National Hockey League. Even so, they will try to buy some time for that group - preferably just one season - with the addition of a veteran defenseman. General manager David Poile said the team's primary focus in free agency, which began Wednesday, is to add an older blue liner, if possible. The idea is to find a replacement for Greg de Vries but at roughly the same salary de Vries earned in 2008-09 ($2.75 million) or even less. The team also lost defenseman Greg Zanon on Wednesday to free agency. It's unlikely that anything will happen in the next day or two, when ..."
Predators expect to lose players
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July 2
Tennessean
 
"Say goodbye to forward Vern Fiddler and defenseman Greg Zanon. Forwards Steve Sullivan and Joel Ward? The Predators are still holding out hope. That's what things looked like Tuesday night, only hours before the NHL's unrestricted free agent market was set to open at 11 a.m. today. Predators General Manager David Poile said Tuesday that Nashville was unlikely to re-sign either Fiddler or Zanon. Both players had spent the past three seasons with the Predators and both had hoped to return, but deals could not be struck. "It's about the dollars they want,'' Poile said. "It's not for me to say that they're not going to get them. But right now … if we have an ability to sign anybody before 11, ..."
Several Preds ready to dip toes in free agency waters
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July 1
Nashville City Paper
 
"On the cusp of the National Hockey League's free agency period, it looks as if talk is the only thing that's cheap. Nashville Predators' general manager David Poile said the unwillingness of players to re-sign - here or with the other 29 teams around the league - is an indication that those whose contracts expire at the end of Tuesday are out to get as much as they can right now before an expectedin the salary cap for the 2010-11 season. "If the players think they are undervalued, they go to July 1 (because) they think they are going to get more money," Poile said. "It's a little bit of a game of chicken, and we're going to have to see how it plays out for us and for everybody else. ..."
Predators get their pick of forwards
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June 25
Tennessean
 
"Flashy. Fleet. Skilled. Mean. Nasty. E.J. McGuire, the NHL's director of central scouting, can't necessarily promise that one forward prospect in Friday's entry draft has all those qualities. But he does believe the forwards who could be available when the Predators pick at No. 11 in the first round offer a wide array of possibilities, giving Nashville the chance to address whatever it thinks is the organization's greatest need. "It's a good bunch,'' McGuire said. "You've got guys that could help you in a variety of different ways depending on what you're looking for. Some bring some size and physical play, and others are playmakers or scorers.'' Of course, there's no guarantee the ..."
Predators in position to do some draft day dealing ... again
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June 23
Nashville City Paper
 
"David Poile would not trade his current set of circumstances in regard to the 2009 NHL draft, which will take place this weekend. With 12 overall picks, including two in the second round, two in the third round and three in the fourth round, the Nashville Predators' general manager sees a world of possibilities - including the potential to trade. "It affords us many opportunities to interact with other teams in the National Hockey League, whether that be moving up and down in the draft or start discussing trades," Poile said. "It's a big week for us." The franchise's draft history actually dates back to a deal. Nashville held the third overall pick in 1998, but Poile worked a deal with ..."
Agents expect Predators to lose some top players
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June 22
Tennessean
 
"Predators General Manager David Poile isn't the only who believes that the closer the July 1 start of unrestricted free agency gets, the less likely the team is to re-sign some key players. At least a couple of agents indicated the same late last week. "I almost think that the closer we get, the more likely we'll test the open market,'' said Peter Cooney, the agent for forward Joel Ward. "It works one way or the other. Sometimes the closer you get, maybe you do make a deal because deadlines sometimes put deals together. "But I think in this case - or in some cases - the closer you get, you figure why not just wait another week and see what the open market does? Because the real way to find ..."
Predators are pessimistic on re-signing stars
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June 20
Tennessean
 
"The closer the calendar creeps toward July 1, the less likely it appears the Predators will sign many of their more significant potential unrestricted free agents. That was the sentiment expressed Friday by Predators General Manager David Poile when asked about the status of players including Steve Sullivan, Joel Ward, Vern Fiddler and Greg Zanon. Poile said he planned to speak with the agents for all four players in the coming week and didn't rule out any re-signings. But he added that "it just feels like we're going to July 1 (unrestricted free agency) with everybody unless somebody comes back to say they're changing their positions. We haven't had any of that. "What we're offering and ..."
Predators re-sign enforcer
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June 9
Tennessean
 
"The Predators assured themselves of a tough-guy presence at Milwaukee when they announced a new contract for forward Triston Grant on Monday. Grant, who led the Admirals with 153 penalty minutes in 55 games last season, agreed to a one-year, two-way contract worth $500,000 on the NHL level and $60,000 on the American Hockey League level. He'll also get a $30,000 signing bonus."
Tennessee could levy 'jock tax' on Predators, rivals
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June 9
Tennessean
 
"Every athlete who plays the Predators in Nashville would get slapped with a $2,500 "jock tax" for the privilege under a proposal a Tennessee Senate committee may take up today. The Preds' active roster would pay, too, but with a three-game cap of $7,500 a season. For team captain Jason Arnott, it's just one more state getting its piece of his five-year, $22.5 million contract. "We're kind of used to it anyway," he said. "They're doing the same thing when we go into other states. So I guess why not pick up on that and make some money for Tennessee?" Besides the National Hockey League, the tax would apply to those on game-night rosters for the Memphis Grizzlies and National Basketball ..."
Predators' assistant GM trains for promotion
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May 25
Tennessean
 
"Predators assistant general manager Paul Fenton has spent much of the past three weeks preparing two NHL teams for the future - the Predators and the Minnesota Wild. But now that the Wild have selected former Pittsburgh Penguins assistant GM Chuck Fletcher as their general manager, Fenton can turn his full efforts back to Nashville. Fenton and Mike Santos, the director of hockey operations for the Predators, were both interviewed by Wild owner Craig Leipold for the Minnesota GM position. Leipold formerly owned the Predators. "It was a great interview, a great experience and I feel like it was a very close decision,'' Fenton said. "I do feel like I'm ready to take the next step.'' Fenton ..."
Door is open for Alexander Radulov
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May 14
Tennessean
 
"Predators General Manager David Poile came away from a recent meeting with Alexander Radulov believing the talented Russian forward does want to return to the NHL. But when - and if - Radulov chooses to make that decision remains to be seen. The Predators want to know Radulov's intentions by the end of June at the latest, because they will need to start planning for the 2009-10 season at the draft and in the free-agent market. "I've said all along that I believe he does (want to return to the NHL) and after meeting with him, I still believe he does,'' Poile said. "But the ball is more in his court to make that overture to us if he wants to do that.'' Poile said he spoke with Radulov ..."
Preds say Poile 'committed to Nashville'
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April 17
Tennessean
 
"It doesn't appear Predators general manager David Poile is leaving Nashville anytime soon. Former Predators owner Craig Leipold, now owner of the Minnesota Wild, fired general manager Doug Risebrough on Thursday, leading to speculation Leipold might try to hire Poile in Minnesota. Poile has been the only general manager of the Predators since they hired him in July of 1997, and he built the Nashville teams that advanced to the playoffs four of the past five seasons. Poile couldn't immediately be reached for comment Thursday, but a Predators spokesperson said Poile was "committed to Nashville and committed to building this team into a Stanley Cup contender.'' Poile did say last summer that ..."
Preds, Radulov tentatively agree to meet
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April 15
Tennessean
 
"On hold for several months, the saga of the Predators and Alexander Radulov looks as if it will pick up steam once again. Predators general manager David Poile said Tuesday that he and Radulov's agent, Jay Grossman, have tentatively agreed to a meeting featuring all three men now that Nashville's season has come to an end. There's no firm date, but the meeting could occur as soon as late this month in Switzerland, where Radulov will play for Russia in the World Championship and Poile will be on hand to assess the U.S. team. The talented forward made international news last summer when he left the Predators with a year left on his contract and signed a three-year deal with Salavat Yulaev ..."
Priority for Predators: re-sign Sullivan
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April 12
Tennessean
 
"Who says it's too early to look ahead to next season? In his own way, Predators captain Jason Arnott has been doing so for the last several weeks. Specifically, Arnott has been making it a point to gauge the feelings of linemate Steve Sullivan in terms of signing a new contract with the Predators. Sullivan will become an unrestricted free agent July 1 if he's not re-signed by then. "I think he would love to come back,'' Arnott said Saturday, one day after the Predators were eliminated from the playoff chase in a season-ending 8-4 loss at Minnesota. "I've been asking him kind of every day, just trying to feel him out. I'm sure going to try to make my point to (Predators general manager ..."
Injury could keep Jason Arnott on bench
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March 22
Tennessean
 
"Predators center Jason Arnott, who has missed the last four games because of an injury, likely won't play when the team plays again, Tuesday at home against Anaheim. There was hope that Arnott, who is out with an "upper body injury," which is believed to be a concussion, would be able to play again after Nashville finished its last road trip, which ended last Thursday with a 3-2 overtime loss at San Jose. But Coach Barry Trotz said Saturday that Arnott is not recovering as quickly as hoped and remains "probably questionable" for Tuesday's game. "He hasn't progressed as quickly as we'd like,'' Trotz said. "We were hoping to get him back for the last game of the road trip or Tuesday, but I ..."
Agent says Alexander Radulov won't play this season
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March 12
Tennessean
 
"The agent for Alexander Radulov said he doesn't believe the forward will return to the Predators this season. Radulov's season in Russia came to an unexpectedly early end last week when his top-seeded Salavat Yulaev Ufa team lost to 16th-seeded Avangard Omsk in the first round of the Continental Hockey League playoffs. Predators General Manager David Poile said Tuesday he hadn't ruled out the possibility of Radulov returning to Nashville this season, despite the fact Radulov defected to Russia last summer with a year left on his NHL contract. Agent Jay Grossman said Wednesday he doesn't see it happening. "There's really nothing to report as far as a return at this point in time,'' Grossman ..."
Poni never in Preds' sightlines
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March 6
Toronto Sun
 
"If the Maple Leafs and Nashville Predators were close to making a deal involving Alexei Ponikarovsky, Brian Burke insists he knew nothing about it. "Never close on Poni," Burke said in an e-mail yesterday, adding that the suggestion of the veteran winger heading to Music City was "B.S." Burke said the Preds had asked about Nik Antropov, but not Ponikarovsky. There were reports just prior to Wednesday afternoon's 3 p.m. trade deadline that Ponikarovsky had, in fact, been dealt to the Preds. At one point, the winger said he was driving to the airport to catch the Leafs' charter to Washington when he received a phone call. "It was a radio station asking me how I felt about being traded to ..."
Predators stand pat at trade deadline
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March 5
Tennessean
 
"In the end, the Predators were neither buyers nor sellers. For the first time in franchise history the Predators stood pat at the NHL trade deadline, choosing to stick with a team that has won five straight games but has struggled offensively for large chunks of the season. General manager David Poile went into Wednesday looking for offensive help, but said there were two primary reasons he didn't make any moves: He didn't think the potentially available players were worth what their respective teams were seeking, and he wasn't sure any of those players would be a good fit for the roster. "There were a couple deals that involved a first-round pick and that was not an area where we were ..."
Deadline sellers unlikely to see big returns
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March 4
Toronto Star
 
"More and more, today's trade deadline appears to be a prelude to that which lies ahead. To a significant degree, much of what we'll see today – or don't see today – is the direct result of 30 clubs trying to forecast the future in terms of where the industry is heading and, in particular, where the salary cap may be headed. In fact, there were moves yesterday that were indicators of what teams are thinking. Nicklas Backstrom signed a new contract to be the starting goaltender with the Minnesota Wild, and the salary was significant, an average of $6 million per season."
GMs go down to the wire
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March 4
Toronto Star
 
"Coffee brewed, scouting charts laid out, and lists of wants and needs neatly organized, the general managers of the NHL's 30 teams will meet in boardrooms across North America this morning prior to the trade deadline. Around them will be their confidantes, assistants and scouting directors ready to dial phones, buzz the BlackBerrys, text the messages and e the mail. Reputations will be carved, saviours will be anointed, nerves will be frayed, and regrets – there'll be a few. If things begin as normal, the morning will go slowly from a public perspective: Perhaps a few fourth liners, or fifth defender for some low-round picks as selling GMs try to talk up the price to the buyers. Behind ..."
Deadline approaching for Hawks
Comment
March 3
Chicago Tribune
 (scroll down)
"The trade deadline is Wednesday afternoon, and coach Joel Quenneville reiterated he wouldn't mind adding a second- or third-line center if general manager Dale Tallon can pull off a deal. "The one area that if we could ... it would be nice to add some help down the middle, be it for faceoffs or for some experience," Quenneville said. Players who could fill the bill include Anaheim's Samuel Pahlsson, although he's currently sidelined with mononucleosis; Nashville's Radek Bonk, out at least another week with a wrist injury; Toronto's Dominic Moore; Colorado's Ian Laperriere, or Tampa Bay's Jeff Halpern. Other centers rumored to be on the market include Phoenix's Olli Jokinen and Dallas' ..."
Deadline provides good theatre
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March 2
Globe and Mail
 columnist Eric Duhatschek
"This is how the sands can shift in the ridiculously close NHL standings, with the trading deadline less than 72 hours away: At the all-star break, during the final week of January, it looked as though the only bona fide seller in the Western Conference would be the 15th-place St. Louis Blues, a team undermined for much of the season by injuries, limited scoring and so-so goaltending. The Blues featured at least one tradable commodity - left winger/centre Keith Tkachuk - who would be of some interest to a contender. Every week, a new version of the Tkachuk to the Boston Bruins rumour made the rounds. In the meantime, the Blues quietly chipped away at the gap between them and eighth place. ..."
D-Day looms
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February 28
Edmonton Journal
 
"Trade deadline day, in the words of Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke, is a mixed bag -- "an awful day, an exciting day, a day full of magic, also a day full of very poor decision making." While we've basically had a league-wide roster freeze for the last five months because of salary cap issues with teams, the trade deadline is the one day where GMs actually try to appease (a) braying fans, (b) players who are looking for a jolt, and (c) coaches who can't transplant hands on Shean Donovan or get a heart that beats for Tyler Arnason. You always get some strange trade ideas on Internet sites -- like Edmonton Oilers unrestricted free agent Erik Cole and a fourth-round draft to ..."
Hot streak reverses Predators' trading plan
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February 28
Tennessean
 
"The Predators' winning ways since the NHL All-Star break have done more than just move the team closer to the playoff pack in the Western Conference. They've also altered the mindset of Predators General Manager David Poile, making him more likely to be a buyer than a seller leading up to Wednesday's NHL trade deadline. "We're trying to be a buyer,'' Poile said Friday. "We're on the phones and talking to different people as to who and what might be available at what price.'' Heading into Friday's games, the Predators were just a point out of eighth place in the West and will still be in the playoff hunt on Wednesday. There's little doubt that a goal-scorer will be at the top of Nashville's ..."
NHL teams have stars in their eyes
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February 26
Buffalo News
 
"The NHL trade deadline is next Wednesday, and nobody is quite sure what to expect in the days ahead. Six teams were within nine points of fourth-place Philadelphia in the Eastern Conference heading into Wednesday night. Eight points separated fifth-place Vancouver and 13th-place St. Louis in the West. Buy, sell or flip a coin? So many teams, so many players, so many possibilities. Several superstars are almost certain to change addresses, and several more are capable of pushing teams into contention. Here are a few items worth watching leading into Wednesday while pondering trade rumors du jour. STAR GAZING Jay Bouwmeester, D, Florida. General Manager Jacques Martin didn't rule out trading ..."
With trade deadline looming, what will Preds do?
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February 26
Nashville City Paper
 
"Before the Nashville Predators can figure out what they want in the final days before the NHL’s trade deadline, they have to figure out what they are. Following Tuesday’s 5-3 victory over Chicago, Nashville was in 11th place in the Western Conference, but just three points out of eighth. That made it difficult to determine whether the Predators need to strengthen the roster for a possible playoff run or to take the opportunity to save some money and deal with the future in mind. The trade deadline is March 4. “Last year we didn’t find out we were going to get in (to the playoffs) until the end of the year,” coach Barry Trotz said. “You want to be in that position that you go right down to ..."
Canadian might buy small piece of Predators
Comment
February 24
Tennessean
 
"The Predators are negotiating with Calgary-based investor Brett Wilson about buying a small share of the franchise, a team spokesman confirmed on Tuesday. A source close to the negotiations said Wilson's prospective share would likely be less than five percent of the team and that it has nothing to do with Boots Del Biaggio's approximate 26 percent share in the team, which is still being contested in bankruptcy court. None of the Preds' current owners would be displaced if Wilson came aboard. Wilson and Predators majority owner David Freeman are already involved as co-owners in two sports franchises - the Double-A West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx baseball team and the First Division English ..."
Preds GM predicts quiet trade deadline
Comment
February 23
Tennessean
 
"With just over a week before the NHL's March 4 trading deadline and only five teams realistically out of the playoff chase, Nashville's David Poile said recent conversations with his fellow general managers are following a similar pattern. In one breath he and his peers are talking about what they might like to acquire if they're buyers at the deadline. In the next they're talking about what they might be willing to give up if they're sellers. "I'd be very hard-pressed to think that a lot would happen at the trading deadline,'' Poile said Sunday. "That may be famous last words because every year there's been a lot of trades at the deadline. But I don't think the race has ever been as close ..."
All or nothing
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February 22
Toronto Sun
 
"Will the desperate Habs finally sever ties with Kovalev? Will the Panthers send big Bouwmeester packing to beef up their forward ranks? And what about Pronger, Havlat, Gaborik, Tkachuk... With the NHL trade deadline only 10 days away, Sun Media's Bruce Garrioch breaks down what each club needs -- and who's up for grabs as teams look to play let's make a deal. --- FLORIDA PANTHERS Needs: The Panthers have to decide what they're going to do with D Jay Bouwmeester, who won't be back next season. The club needs scoring up front and there's no question it would be able to fetch that in a trade. GM Jacques Martin could be the biggest player at the deadline. Who's available: D Jay Bouwmeester, D ..."
Ville Koistinen sits again after seeking trade
Comment
February 20
Tennessean
 
"Defenseman Ville Koistinen was a healthy scratch again Thursday, after playing for the first time in nine games Wednesday. Koistinen said Wednesday he was looking for a trade after playing in only half of Nashville's games this season. But Preds Coach Barry Trotz said the fact that Koistinen wants to be traded doesn't necessarily make a difference as to whether he's in the lineup or not. "It really has no impact on (whether he plays or not),'' Trotz said. "If there is a tie in terms of who you think you should play, I tend to play the one who wants to be here. I'm a big believer that if you want to be somewhere, you should be invested.'' Greg de Vries, who sat out Wednesday, replaced ..."
Koistinen wants to be traded soon
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February 19
Tennessean
 
"Defenseman Ville Koistinen made his return to the Predators lineup Wednesday, but he's not happy with his overall situation in Nashville. The blueliner, who'd been a healthy scratch for the previous eight games, said Wednesday morning he's hoping to be traded. Predators General Manager David Poile confirmed that the team has talked with other teams about Koistinen. "On a couple of occasions, we've come pretty close (to making a trade), but it just hasn't happened,'' Poile said. "As we told his agent, we're not against moving him. But, he has to play to the level to show he's worthy to do that.'' Koistinen has played in 29 of the team's first 58 games, posting eight points (two goals, six ..."
Preds insist Trotz won't be fired
Comment
January 21
Tennessean
 
"The Predators might be in search of answers for their losing ways, but they will not be in search of a new head coach for the foreseeable future. General Manager David Poile said Tuesday that Coach Barry Trotz and his staff are not in danger of being fired. With a 3-1 loss to New Jersey on Monday, the Predators are 3-9-0 in their past 12 games and sit in 13th place in the Western Conference standings. "The coaches are secure,'' Poile said. "We're going to work this out together.'' Asked whether that meant for the rest of the season, Poile said: "Yes, they're secure.'' Trotz and his staff received new two-year contracts in the spring after guiding the Predators to a fourth consecutive ..."
Four Predators prospects fall flat on offense
Comment
January 19
Tennessean
 
"Prior to this season, the Predators penciled in prospect forwards Patric Hornqvist and Ryan Jones as answers to the holes on the team's scoring lines. When they faltered and were sent down to the American Hockey League, the Predators figured prospect forward Antti Pihlstrom might be a solution. And when he struggled offensively, the Predators made two more moves - giving prospect forward Mike Santorelli a shot and offering Jones a second chance. The bottom line so far, however, is that none of the organization's top American Hockey League forward prospects have been able to produce consistent offense. Of those four players, only Pihlstrom remains on the NHL level. But he's posted just ..."
Arnott returns to practice with Predators
Comment
January 17
Tennessean
 
"Illness and injury have overtaken the Predators, but a few players made progress Friday. Jason Arnott returned to practice after missing his fourth straight game with a lower body injury and said he might return to the lineup Saturday night against the Thrashers. "I haven't done anything in a week," Arnott said. "So it's going to take a bit to get back into skating form." Defenseman Shea Weber, who is out with a foot injury, visited the doctor Friday for re-evaluation. "If it's good news," he said, "I may try to play" against the Thrashers. Weber did not practice Friday, however, and was still wearing a walking boot. Sulzer's moment: In Weber's absence, Alexander Sulzer made his NHL debut ..."
Predators still pondering roster changes
Comment
January 6
Tennessean
 
"Predators Coach Barry Trotz hasn't committed to making any personnel moves, but he may be close. If he doesn't do anything before Tuesday night's game against Colorado, he's expected to take action if the Predators fail to produce points against the Avalanche. Recalls from Milwaukee could include prospects Mike Santorelli and Ryan Jones. "I might bring one, I might not bring any, but I am tending to say if we are going to bring anybody we will bring two guys because both of them have earned the right to get another opportunity and other guys have fallen into the pack," Trotz said. Santorelli is fourth in the American Hockey League in scoring with 41 points (13 goals, 28 assists) in 35 ..."
Sullivan sets Saturday as target date for return to Predators
Comment
January 6
Nashville City Paper
 
"Steve Sullivan has waited a long time to return to the Nashville Predators’ lineup. One of his final concerns is that his comeback will be short-lived. “My worst fear is going out there, playing a shift or two shifts and then getting one hit, one bump and I’m done,” Sullivan said. “I don’t want that to happen. … There’s a chance it will. Even as prepared as I’m going to be, I still know that it’s a possibility.” Sullivan will take that chance as early as Saturday, when the Predators play the Chicago Blackhawks (7 p.m. at Sommet Center), nearly two full years since his last NHL appearance. During a post-practice meeting Monday with coach Barry Trotz, it was agreed that Sullivan will sit out ..."
Preds say trade is unlikely
Comment
January 5
Tennessean
 
"Predators fans waiting for a big trade to help turn around the team's fortunes probably shouldn't hold their breath. The Predators are far more likely to alter the lineup with promotions from Milwaukee than they are via trade, General Manager David Poile said. "I think if there are going to be changes made, there's a 90 percent chance it will be done internally,'' Poile said prior to Saturday's 3-2 loss to Calgary. "The Milwaukee team is playing really well, winning and a lot of guys are scoring. A lot of guys (like Patric Hornqvist and Ryan Jones) have 20 more games experience from when we sent them down. "I think we've drafted well and I think these guys are playing as well as anyone in ..."
Predators send Jones back to Milwaukee
Comment
December 13
Nashville City Paper
 
"The Nashville Predators reassigned forward Ryan Jones to Milwaukee (AHL) on Friday, one day after the rookie was recalled. He was sent down after it was determined that Jordin Tootoo was healthy enough to return to action. Tootoo played the first 27 games of the season but missed the last two with an undisclosed lower body injury. "(Tootoo) just needed a couple days to rest," coach Barry Trotz said. "It looks like it's healed and he should be playing (Saturday) night." The Predators will play the Dallas Stars on Saturday (7 p.m., Sommet Center). Jones played 10:43 of Thursday's 2-1 shootout loss at Columbus. It was his 16th appearance for Nashville."
Injuries force Preds to make roster moves
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December 11
Tennessean
 
"With center Scott Nichol out for today's game at Columbus and right wing Jordin Tootoo doubtful, the Predators likely will recall a player from Milwaukee of the American Hockey League. Coach Barry Trotz said he planned to wait until after the Admirals played Quad City on Wednesday night, but that Nashville would choose one of four forwards - Patric Hornqvist, Ryan Jones, Jed Ortmeyer or Mike Santorelli. Jones has posted eight points (five goals, three assists) in seven games for the Admirals, while Santorelli went into Wednesday's game with a six-game goal streak. Nichol took a punishing hit from Vancouver defenseman Rob Davison on Tuesday and left the game. Trotz said there's a chance ..."
Tootoo sits against Canucks
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December 10
Nashville City Paper
 
"Forward Jordin Tootoo will not play in tonight's game against the Vancouver Canucks (7 p.m., Sommet Center) due to an injury. Tootoo's ailment was listed as a 'lower body injury' and his status was regarded as day-to-day. Coach Barry Trotz was expected to give anfollowing the contest. The 25-year-old has played in every game this season and 49 straight dating back to last season. He has three goals, two assists and a team-high 56 penalty minutes. Tootoo had 14:21 of ice time - his most in 10 games - Monday at St. Louis."
Balsillie's next step
Comment
November 26
Globe and Mail
 
"It's a complicated and torturous route to navigate, but there exists a legal road map that could lead billionaire Canadian businessman Jim Balsillie into the ownership suite of the Nashville Predators. The next step in the journey for Balsillie, who makes little secret of his ambition to own an NHL franchise, ideally in Southern Ontario, may hinge on a coming legal argument in a California bankruptcy court. As the complex proceedings involving disgraced banker and deal maker William (Boots) Del Biaggio III grind inexorably onward, the already fierce legal fight over his 27-per-cent ownership share in the Predators will only get more heated. According to lawyers involved in the case, ..."
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