Nashville Predators Trade Rumors

Predators GM David Poile meets with Ryan Suter's agent
February 1
Tennessean
 
"General Manager David Poile said contract negotiations with defenseman Ryan Suter are ongoing and he hoped to re-sign his star defenseman at some point. He just didn't know when. Last week at the All-Star Game, Suter said he didn't believe he would re-sign with Nashville before the Feb. 27 trading deadline. Poile said he met with Suter's agent, Neil Sheehy, before Tuesday's game at Minnesota. Sheehy is based in the Twin Cities area. If the Predators and Suter don't come to terms before July 1, the defenseman will be an unrestricted free agent. "It's just ongoing, it's the same situation," Poile said. "Everything is being said the way you want a player to say it and the way you want a"
Suter counters perception he will test free agency
January 29
NHL.com
 
"Nashville defenseman Ryan Suter's comments Friday regarding his ongoing contract negotiations and his pending status as an unrestricted free agent created a bit of unintended controversy at the NHL's All-Star weekend. As a result, the Nashville defenseman felt the need to clarify exact comments he made at 2012 NHL All-Star Media Day presented by Allstate. Suter told reporters he didn't want to sign a new contract prior to the Feb. 27 trade deadline. Suter said he felt the media portrayed his comments to mean that he will test the open market when he becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Prior to Sunday's 2012 Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Game, Suter told NHL.com that portrayal is"
Suter doesn't plan to talk contract
January 28
Ottawa Sun
 
"The Predators are going to have to make a decision on Ryan Suter at the NHL trade deadline. The blue-chip defenceman, one of the best potential free agents this summer, told reporters during Friday's NHL all-star weekend media day that he doesn't have any interest in having contract talks until the season is over. The decision by the 27-year-old Suter is significant because it means Nashville GM David Poile risks losing Suter for nothing if he doesn't deal him by Feb. 27. "At this point, it's not worth going and trying to do something," said Suter. "Then it becomes a distraction not only to me, but to my teammates as well." The Predators could always move Suter's rights at the draft in"
Trade bait Suter won't re-sign before deadline
January 28
CSN Philly
 
"Ryan Suter's situation of potentially being dealt at the NHL trade deadline next month took an interesting turn on Friday when the Nashville Predators defenseman said he does not want to re-sign before the deadline. He is unrestricted while fellow coveted teammate Shea Weber is restricted. One of them could be dealt. The Flyers are among a handful of clubs interested in getting into the mix if that happens. "I feel it would be more of a distraction than anything," Suter said of signing in February. "We've never had a timeline or deadline. We're just focusing on winning. Everything else will take care of itself. "I don't see it being a benefit by hurrying up and trying to get something"
Predators' Ryan Suter suffers upper-body injury in Monday's win
January 17
Tennessean
 
"Predators Coach Barry Trotz knew he could be without defenseman Ryan Suter at some point. Suter has what the Predators are calling an upper-body injury, so Trotz dressed seven defensemen for Monday's game against the Islanders. The decision helped the Predators after Suter went out of the lineup at the end of the first period, when Nashville took a 3-0 lead en route to a 3-1 victory."
Shea Weber to return tonight for Nashville
January 5
Tennessean
 
"Shea Weber has been cleared to play and will be in the lineup tonight against the Dallas Stars. That's what the Nashville Predators said today. Weber has been out since he took a hard hit from Dallas Stars defenseman Mark Fistric on Dec. 23. During that four-game stretch, the Predators have gone 3-1-0."
Nashville Predators keep Shea Weber's status a mystery
January 5
Tennessean
 
"Predators Coach Barry Trotz became flustered by reporters' questions Wednesday about captain Shea Weber's playing status for today's game against Dallas at Bridgestone Arena. Weber is recovering from a concussion he suffered the last time Nashville played the Stars on Dec. 23. He has missed the past four games. Based on his ability to practice the past two days, the defenseman appears ready to play. But the Predators have not allowed Weber to speak to the media since he was injured, and he has not yet told Trotz whether he feels well enough to play."
Nashville Predators lose Blake Geoffrion 'for a while'
November 29
Tennessean
 
"Forward Blake Geoffrion has been a healthy scratch for the Predators the past four games. He got his opportunity in a 2-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Monday, and through 5:30 of ice time provided the type of grinding presence Predators Coach Barry Trotz wanted out of him. Then midway through the second period, it all went horribly wrong. Geoffrion was behind his own net when Oilers winger, and former Predator, Ryan Jones skated into him, hitting him high. Geoffrion crumpled to the ice, and went out of the game. Jones was assessed a five-minute major for elbowing. After the game, Geoffrion was in the locker-room area with his arm in a sling. Trotz said Geoffrion would be out "for a"
$7.8M arena subsidy to Predators is up for debate
November 20
Tennessean
 
"Nashville sets itself apart from sister cities by subsidizing its hockey arena with millions of dollars out of its stretched-thin general fund, which is typically used to pay for education, police officers, parks and libraries. A chance to change that is fast approaching. Metro will pay an estimated $7.8 million this year to the Nashville Predators ownership group and its management company to operate Bridgestone Arena. That figure doesn't include the debt service on the bonds issued in the 1990s to construct the arena. Other unconventional hockey towns such as Raleigh, N.C.; Tampa, Fla.; Broward County, Fla.; and San Jose, Calif., also built their arenas with public funds. However, local"
Suter contract discussions ongoing
November 17
Tennessean
 
"The last two days, Ryan Suter's agent Neil Sheehy has been in Nashville. He met with General Manager David Poile and Assistant GM Paul Fenton to discuss Suter's contract. Suter is slated to be an unrestricted free agent on July 1, if a deal with Nashville can't be reached before that date. "I don't want to get into the substance of the negotiation. The Predators are making every effort to sign Ryan and Ryan wants to be here, but there's issues you address," Sheehy said. "I think it's always best when you can address them with each other. You take a little bit of time to reflect on it and then you come back to further discussions.""
Predators' David Legwand held out Wednesday; likely out Saturday also
November 10
Tennessean
 
"David Legwand is the Predators' top situational forward. He plays power play, penalty kill, offensive and defensive even-strength situations. Essentially, Legwand is the forward version of defensemen Shea Weber and Ryan Suter. This is why the news that Legwand is out with an upper-body injury after a hit from Los Angeles Kings forward Dustin Brown on Tuesday could make life difficult for the Predators. The Predators, who played the Anaheim Ducks late Wednesday, said Legwand would also probably miss Saturday's home game against the Montreal Canadiens. It will take more than one player to fill Legwand's role."
Predators feel David Legwand's absence everywhere
November 9
Tennessean
 
"What happens when you lose your leading scorer who averages more than a point per game? Who also plays on your top penalty-kill and power-play units and who came into Tuesday night's game averaging 20:27? Nothing good. With 13:17 left in the first period of Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Los Angeles Kings, Dustin Brown made a blindside open-ice check on Predators forward David Legwand. The Predators' top scorer left the game with an upper-body injury. Predators Coach Barry Trotz said Legwand won't play today at Anaheim."
Nashville Predators won't have Mike Fisher available tonight
October 31
Tennessean
 
"Predators forward Mike Fisher did not make the trip to Chicago for tonight's game against the Blackhawks, a team spokesman said Sunday. Fisher suffered what the Predators called an upper-body injury after a high, hard blindside hit in the neutral zone from Ducks defenseman Francois Beauchemin in the first period of Nashville's 3-0 win over Anaheim on Saturday."
Coyotes get Cal O'Reilly from Predators for fourth-round pick
October 29
Arizona Republic
 
"The Coyotes obtained center Cal O'Reilly from the Nashville Predators Friday for a fourth-round draft pick in 2012. O'Reilly, 25, is currently day to day with a groin injury and likely will not play Saturday against the Kings at Jobing.com Arena. The move comes a day after the agent for Kyle Turris said the young holdout center wants to be traded, something Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney said he will not do. "(O'Reilly) is good young center ice man, very clever, creative," General Manager Don Maloney said. "I'm not overly optimistic that Kyle will sign with us this season. However, the door is always open for him to return. O'Reilly is a good player. We've targeted him for a while, a"
Playoff run stokes Nashville Predators
September 16
Tennessean
 
"For the first time in franchise history, the questions don't follow the "Can they get out of the first round of the playoffs" storyline. Now there are different expectations. Last season the Predators made the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time. As they head to training camp beginning this weekend at Centennial Sportsplex, there's a higher level of confidence, but also a greater sense of urgency. Defenseman Ryan Suter and goaltender Pekka Rinne are set to be unrestricted free agents after this season. Defenseman Shea Weber returns for his second year as captain, though his summer was anything but smooth."
Nashville Predators rookies emerge as viable replacements
September 14
Tennessean
 
"The exodus of players took only a few weeks this summer. J.P. Dumont was bought out. The Nashville Predators announced Steve Sullivan and Shane O'Brien would not be re-signed. Cody Franson was traded. Then Joel Ward and Marcel Goc signed elsewhere. Throughout the process, General Manager David Poile remained bullish that he could replace the departed veterans with rookies within the organization. And as rookie camp ends today, Poile has a better idea of which players he can slot in where. "We've created some opportunities for these younger players to win a position," Poile said. "It should be a very fun and competitive training camp.""
Chet Pickard works toward goal of spot with Nashville Predators
September 9
Tennessean
 
"Chet Pickard jumped in his car and left his hometown of Winnipeg, Manitoba. En route to Milwaukee, he didn't turn on the radio. He barely made any phone calls on the 11-hour drive. The Predators goaltending prospect was alone with his thoughts. "I was just thinking. That time you spend in your head is the most important time," Pickard said. "It's good time to spend with yourself and reflect." One year ago, the 2008 first-round draft pick came to Nashville hoping to compete for the backup goaltending position. But after a year of bouncing between the American Hockey League, East Coast Hockey League and — for a brief moment in the playoffs — the NHL, a humbled Pickard sounds ready for what"
Disease won't define Predators coach Brent Peterson
September 8
Tennessean
 
"Brent Peterson doesn't want sympathy or a pity party. Yes, it sometimes takes him an hour to shave in the morning. And it took him 30 minutes to put on his belt after going through airport security this summer. "I don't tell these stories to make them feel sorry," said Peterson, 53, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease eight years ago. "People don't realize what (people with Parkinson's) go through." The Peterson Foundation for Parkinson's annual silent auction and fundraiser is tonight, and the charity's golf tournament will be played Friday. This year, however, the sold-out event has a different feel to it. The upcoming NHL season will be the first since 1998 that Peterson won't be"
Nashville Predators prospects ready for camp
August 25
Tennessean
 
"Predators rookies will open their training camp on Sept. 10 and play two games in Florida, the team announced today. The camp begins with practices at Centennial Sportsplex on Sept. 10-11. The prospects then travel to Sunrise, Fla., for games against prospects from the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers on Sept. 12 and 13. Prospects expected to participate in camp include: Goaltender Chet Pickard (first-round pick, 2008) Defenseman Ryan Ellis (first-round pick, 2009) Forward Austin Watson (first-round pick, 2010) Defenseman Roman Josi (second-round pick, 2008) Defenseman Charles-Olivier Roussel (second-round pick, 2009). Forward Craig Smith, one of the best U.S. players at the 2011"
NHL policy change on substance abuse?
August 18
Toronto Sun
 
"The recent off-ice deaths of two NHL players could spark a change in how the league conducts its substance abuse and behavioural program. Commenting on the passing of New York Ranger Derek Boogaard and Winnipeg Jet Rick Rypien at the league's research and developmnt camp in Toronto, commissioner Gary Bettman told a wire service that he will soon approach the Players Association to study the current policy. Boogaard passed away in May after a mishap with alcohol and a painkiller drug. Rypien, who reportedly suffered from depression, died Monday and police will only say the circumstances were not suspicious. Both men had been in the program, which has helped many players with varied"
Preds say goodbye to Brett Lebda
August 11
Tennessean
 
"The Brett Lebda era on Nashville's blueline officially ended before it began. The Predators bought out the defenseman this morning. Lebda was set to make $1.4 million next season. He had one year left on his contract."
Preds sign Jack Hillen
August 9
Tennessean
 
"Below is the release. Hillen's point total would make him the third highest-scoring returning defenseman for the Predators. He would have been the fourth highest scoring Predators defenseman last season. Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has signed defenseman Jack Hillen to a one-year, two-way contract worth $650,000 at the NHL level and $105,000 at the AHL level."
Report: Predators waive Brett Lebda, plan buyout
August 8
SportingNews.com
 
"The Nashville Predators placed defenseman Brett Lebda on waivers and intend on buying him out should he clear, Rogers Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos reported on Saturday. If Nashville indeed buys out Lebda and his $1.45 million salary, the team would carry cap hits of $516,667 and $466,667 in each of the next two seasons. As Predators blog On The Forecheck notes, an NHL rule prohibits teams with only one salary arbitration hearing from buying out players outside of a June 15-30 window; the Predators, given recent events, appear to fall in that category. If that's the case, a Lebda buyout may not be possible. Earlier in the week, Predators defenseman Shea Weber, a Norris Trophy finalist, was"
Predators' Shea Weber receives $7.5 million in arbitration case
August 4
Tennessean
 
"The Predators and defenseman Shea Weber promised there were no hurt feelings. On Tuesday the team and its captain failed to come to terms on a contract and went to salary arbitration in Toronto. A one-year award worth $7.5 million for Weber was announced Wednesday, and both sides looked at it as a potential precursor and framework to a long-term contract. "Obviously nobody wants to come to that, but it is what it is. We have something in place for now, and hopefully that can allow us some more time to get something longer term done," Weber said. "This is a temporary solution. I love it in Nashville. I love my teammates. I love the fans and the city. This is what we have for right now, and"
Predators' Weber awarded record $7.5M by arbitrator
August 3
CBC Sports
 
"An abitrator has awarded Nashville defenceman Shea Weber $7.5 million US for next season, according to CBC Sports senior hockey writer Tim Wharnsby. Weber and the Predators made presentations to an arbitrator Tuesday in Toronto. Weber, through his Tian Sports represenation, reportedly asked for $8.5 million, while the team put forth a case for $4.75 million, a minimal increase from last season.' The Predators filed for arbitration in mid-June with Weber in order to prevent other clubs from making an offer sheet, and to also buy themselves several weeks before the scheduled hearing to hammer out a long-term deal. Weber, who turns 26 later this month, was a Norris Trophy finalist the past"
Predators, Shea Weber separated by $4 million
August 3
Tennessean
 
"The Predators' decision to go to salary arbitration with Shea Weber on Tuesday cemented one fact: Within 48 hours there would be finality to the star defenseman's contract situation. The aftereffects could be damaging for the Nashville Predators, however. Despite meeting Monday and early Tuesday, the team and its captain were unable to settle on a contract before the 8 a.m. hearing in Toronto, where each side argued Weber's worth in front of an arbitrator. The Predators recommended an award of $4.75 million, a source close to the situation said. Weber's agents with Titan Sports Management asked for $8.5 million. The award is for one year, as determined by Weber's agents. The arbitrator,"
Predators in trouble with Weber?
August 3
CBC Sports
 columnist Elliotte Friedman
"I wasn't in Shea Weber's arbitration hearing on Tuesday, so I don't know what was said. But I can tell you what other teams/agents are saying: For the first time, they think the Predators are really in trouble with Weber. There was always a recognition that dealing with all three of Weber, Ryan Suter and Pekka Rinne was going to be impossible, but, assumed the captain was priority number one. None of the particulars (Weber, agents Kevin Epp/Jarrett Bousquet, Predators GM David Poile, AGM Paul Fenton or directory of hockey operations Brian Poile) were talking afterward. What we do know is that Weber submitted $8.5 million US as his objective and the Predators offered $4.75 million. The"
Puck firmly in Shea Weber's rink
August 3
The Globe and Mail
 
"One by one, 19 of the 20 players with arbitration dates settled their affairs this summer, with each avoiding the nasty process of sitting down with an arbitrator in the middle of the off-season. On Tuesday morning, however, the biggest name on the list in Nashville Predators captain Shea Weber went to his hearing, becoming the only player to do so this year and one of the few ever to do so in a team-elected arbitration case. It could be, in short, bad news for the budget-conscious Preds. Of the last 10 arbitration cases where the hearing actually took place, nine of the players involved ended up playing for another team after that following season. The 10th was Washington Capitals"
Predators can't close Shea Weber deal
August 2
Tennessean
 
"The Predators and restricted free agent defenseman Shea Weber's representatives went into Monday night without an announced new contract for Nashville's captain. With Weber's arbitration hearing set for 8 a.m. today, a deal still could be struck before both sides start their arguments in front of an arbitrator. But it was unclear as to how close they were to getting an agreement. Weber's agents, from Titan Sports Management, and the Predators were in Toronto in advance of today's hearing, and it is believed the two sides met. Neither side was allowed to speak with reporters about the hearing once briefs were filed, 48 hours in advance. If Weber and the Predators were to go through an"
Predators hope for face-to-face rather than face-off with Weber
August 1
Nashville City Paper
 
"The briefs were exchanged Sunday morning, which means time is running short. Then again, the space between Nashville Predators officials and captain Shea Weber also will be significantly reduced, which just might be the key to the sides making a deal and avoiding arbitration. "Any arbitration I've ever been to, the player's always been there to participate," general manager David Poile said. "So I think it will be the same thing here." In the past, the Poile and his staff have taken advantage of such situations and avoided the arbitration process with some of their more notable players. In 2002, they sat opposite goalie Mike Dunham and his representatives in a Toronto hotel room and worked"
Predators sign defenseman Tyler Sloan
July 29
Tennessean
 
"In a move to add depth to their defense, the Predators signed defenseman Tyler Sloan today. In 33 games with the Washington Capitals last season, Sloan,30, notched one goal and five assists. He has played 99 games in his NHL career."
Predators, Weber prepare cases for arbitration
July 28
Tennessean
 
"Ryan Callahan of the New York Rangers took the road mostly traveled this offseason for players with arbitration cases. On Wednesday he came to terms with his team only one day before his case was supposed to take place in Toronto. It's a possible outcome for Predators captain Shea Weber, whose arbitration date with Nashville is set for Aug. 2, but both sides appear ready to present their arguments just in case a deal is not reached in time. Only once this offseason — Chris Campoli and the Chicago 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"
Predators agree to terms with Craig Smith
July 26
Tennessean
 
"The Predators came to terms with one of their top prospects Tuesday. Craig Smith, who finished second in scoring for the United States at the 2011 world championships, will start the year as a professional. The Predators signed Smith to a two-year entry level contract."
Drew Doughty, Shea Weber deals remain works in progress
July 21
SportingNews.com
 
"Drew Doughty will pay close attention to the Toronto Maple Leafs' negotiations with Luke Schenn. Doughty, of the Los Angeles Kings, and Schenn are both defenseman, restricted free agents and top-five picks from the 2008 NHL Draft. And both are connected to agent Don Meehan. So it's only natural that Doughty to watch Schenn's contract discussions, which reports from Toronto say should open this week. For now, they are the two most experienced young defensemen among an elite four in their draft class and could have big NHL futures. Doughty's entry-level deal is up, and his camp and the Kings are slowly working toward a long-term pact. Steven Stamkos, 2008's No. 1 overall pick, signed a five"
Predators work on new contract for Shea Weber
July 20
Tennessean
 
"With an arbitration date set for Aug. 2, there's still time for the Nashville Predators and Shea Weber to come to contract terms. It just doesn't seem like it will be this week. "We've had long talks; we seem to be coming to a bit of a stalemate. We still have time to work before the system kicks in," Weber's agent, Jarrett Bousquet said. "Shea would like to be a Predator. He enjoys playing there with a team that's on the cusp of doing something great." The Predators filed for arbitration with Weber in mid-June in order to give themselves more time to negotiate a deal with their captain. Should the Predators and Weber go to arbitration, he would decide whether an arbitrator would award him"
Arbitration scheduled for Shea Weber
July 19
ESPN.com
 
"An arbitration hearing for Nashville Predators defenseman and team captain Shea Weber has been scheduled for Aug. 2 in Toronto. But Weber and the Predators are hoping to agree on a long-term deal before the hearing takes place. Predators general manager David Poile said Monday that the team would continue to work towards a long-term deal for Weber in the coming days. Weber has said publicly he wants to remain in Nashville. If the two sides cannot come to an agreement before the hearing, Weber would have the choice of a one- or two-year contract ruling from the arbitrator. The team would then decide whether to accept the arbitrator's decision or walk away and leave Weber an unrestricted"
Predators plan to pursue more scoring punch ... at some point
July 12
Nashville City Paper
 
"David Poile says he will continue to look for ways to make the Nashville Predators better, particularly at forward. As it stands now, though, the general manager figures there are worse things than sticking with a familiar formula. Nearly two weeks into the free agency period Poile has signed only one player, Niclas Bergfors, to an NHL-only contract, Two others, Zack Stortini and Kyle Wilson were signed to two-way deals. All told, their additions could cost the team fewer than $800,000 in salary this season. With Bergfors, though, Poile sees a potential payoff similar to what the team experienced a year ago with Sergei Kostitsyn. "He was on his way to being a very good prospect with New"
Predators to re-sign top goal scorer
July 8
Tennessean
 
"The Nashville Predators agreed to terms with leading goal scorer Sergei Kostitsyn on a one-year deal worth $2.5 million today. The deal means the Predators avoided the possibility of Kostitsyn becoming an unrestricted free agent. That would have happened if an arbitrator had ruled in favor of the NHL Players' Association, which contended the Predators had been late in tendering a qualifying offer to Kostitsyn. That hearing was scheduled to begin today."
Predators sign contested players to deals on eve of grievance
July 8
111112222233
 
"David Poile says he has no idea how long Friday's hearing in regard to a grievance filed by the NHL Players Association will last. It became obvious Thursday, though, that it won't take as long as originally expected. Three of the prominent players involved in the matter — Matt Halischuk, Nick Spaling and Cal O'Reilly — were among four who signed contracts with the Nashville Predators and, therefore, were removed from the proceedings. Only the status of left wing Sergei Kostitsyn and minor league forward Linus Klasen remain in dispute, but Klasen already has a deal in place to play in Sweden in 2011-12, so the outcome in regard to him is irrelevant. The hearing is set to take place Friday"
Kostitsyn seeks bigger raise, files for arbitration in attempt to get one
July 6
Nashville City Paper
 
"Sergei Kostitsyn, the Nashville Predators' leading goal scorer last season, was one of 23 eligible NHL players who filed for arbitration rights, the NHL Players Association announced Tuesday. Hearings will take place between July 20 and Aug. 4 in Toronto, and an independent judge will set contract terms, which the team may then accept or not. If the team walks away from the ruling, the player becomes an unrestricted free agent. Kostitsyn, 24, scored a career-high 23 goals and added 27 assists last season, when he earned $550,000 on a one-year deal."
Poile remains patient, prudent in pursuit of free agents
July 5
Nashville City Paper
 
"David Poile was determined not to overpay. No one can say he did. The Nashville Predators general manager waited until the third day of the current NHL free agency period, Sunday, before he signed a player. When he did, he spent barely more than the league minimum when he agreed to a one-year, $575,000 deal with 24-year-old forward Niclas Bergfors. "With all due respect to what happened on July 1 [the start of free agency], I thought the contracts — in almost every case — the players got overpaid," Poile said. "I'm not sure I really missed too much on July 1, to be honest, in terms of what we're looking for. "I'm sure we're going to have some opportunities when presented with the right"
Leafs get Matthew Lombardi, Cody Franson in trade with Predators
July 4
Toronto Star
 
"General manager Brian Burke took two pieces that didn't fit the puzzle that is the 2011-12 Maple Leafs and turned them into a top-six forward and a top-four defenceman on Sunday. That's what cap space in an off-year for free agents will do for you. The Leafs are considerably stronger by adding speedy centre Matthew Lombardi and defenceman Cody Franson from Nashville than they were with little-used defenceman Brett Lebda and low-level prospect Robert Slaney, who went the other way in Sunday's trade."
It's official: Leafs acquire Franson, Lombardi from Predators
July 3
Toronto Star
 
"It's the kind of deal the Toronto Maple Leafs have been hoping to get by being smart on the salary cap. As first reported by the Star, sources confirm the Leafs have acquired 6-foot-5 defenceman Cody Franson and injured centre Matthew Lombardi today from the Nashville Predators for defenceman Brett Lebda and minor-leaguer Robert Slaney. Franson was a regular on the very strong Nashville blueline last season and will immediately move into the top six on the Leaf defence. Lombardi was concussed last season and the money-conscious Predators were so desperate to get rid of his $3.5 million-a-year contract they were willing to move Franson, who is in the final year of his entry level contract"
Penguins sign Sullivan from Nashville
July 1
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"Winger Steve Sullivan, late of Nashville, has accepted a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Penguins. He had 10 goals and 12 assists in 44 games with the Predators last season, and reportedly has overcome some health issues that troubled him in recent years."
Predators buy out Dumont's contract in preparation for start of free agency
July 1
Nashville City Paper
 
"The Nashville Predators never have been known as big spenders. Thursday, though, they paid somebody to go away. As part of their preparations for the 2011-12 contract year, which begins 11 a.m. (CDT) Friday, they bought out the contract of veteran forward J-P Dumont. Dumont had one year remaining on his deal and was scheduled to earn $4 million in the coming season. Under rules of the collective bargaining agreement, a player his age is owed two-thirds of his remaining deal in a buyout, payable over one or two seasons. The Predators elected to pay Dumont $1.33 million each of the next two seasons. That money counts against the salary cap. "It's disappointing, if you will, for both us and"
Nashville Predators, restricted free agents wait for ruling
July 1
Tennessean
 
"Even with the uncertainty of the status of their restricted free agents, there will be no difference in how the Nashville Predators operate in the next couple of days. Nashville intends to attack today's free agency deadline as it does every season. "We believe that we're going to sign them in due course," General Manager David Poile said. "That was always our intent so I don't think we're going to do anything to go in a different direction because of the situation." The situation is this: On Wednesday night, the National Hockey League Players' Association filed a grievance, saying the Predators had not qualified their restricted free agents — Sergei Kostitsyn, Nick Spaling, Matt"
Preds buy out Dumont, make him unrestricted FA
June 30
TSN.ca
 
"The Nasville Predators have bought out the contract of forward J-P Dumont, making the veteran an unrestricted free agent. Dumont had nine goals and 10 assists in 70 games for the Predators last season. He had spent the last five seasons of his 12-year career with the Predators."
Trotz sees no need for Predators to pursue more offense
June 30
Nashville City Paper
 
"Barry Trotz called it a "stigma" attached to the Nashville Predators. Yet the head coach made it clear that he is not in a hurry to change anyone's perception of his team as being offensively challenged. "All I know is that the two teams playing in the [Stanley Cup] final were the No. 1 and No. 2 defensive teams in the National Hockey League," Trotz said Wednesday at the team's prospects conditioning camp. "We were third. "So we don't want to get away from that idea." Thursday is the final day of the NHL contract year and the new free agency period begins 11 a.m. (CDT) Friday. Given Trotz's assessment of things, it seems unlikely that the Predators will make a big splash in free agency by"
Nashville Predators' restricted free agents in jeopardy
June 30
Tennessean
 
"The NHL Players' Association has filed a grievance against the Nashville Predators, claiming the team did not tender qualifying offers to restricted free agents as mandated by the collective bargaining agreement, an NHLPA spokesman said Wednesday night. If an arbitrator rules in favor of the NHLPA, all of the Predators' restricted free agents would become unrestricted free agents, meaning they could sign with another team without compensation for the Predators. A ruling is expected to be made quickly and could affect Sergei Kostitsyn, Cal O'Reilly, Nick Spaling, Matt Halischuk, Chris Mueller, Andreas Thuresson and Linus Klasen. Under terms of the labor agreement, qualifying offers were due"