UPDATE - 3:07 CDT

Per my buddy Dirk Hoag over at On the Forecheck...

http://www.ontheforecheck.com/

I did not hear the interview with Thom Abraham today, but Sullivan's situation was discussed in Poile's press availability on Sunday. He gave the distinct impression that the the problem was both contract length and money.

Even more interesting to see where Sullivan lands in a few lists of "Top UFA's"

Sullivan is listed at #21 in Sporting News Today's list...

The "twitter" angle is really fascinating!


UPDATE - 9:51am CDT -

The Nashville Predators have extended qualifying offers to seven players, Matt Ellison, Ryan Jones, Ryan Maki, Cal O'Reilly, Antti Pihlstrom, Denis Platonov, and Kelsey Wilson. The seven players have until July 1 to accept their qualifying offers. Any players who do not sign the qualifying offers by July 1 become restricted free agents, giving the Predators the right to match any contract offered.

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Eklund’s been all over rumors about Mike Cammalleri and Nashville… Ek has the Predators as the favorite on this morning’s rumor chart… my inside sources are not nearly as strong on this…discussions may be happening and no one is denying interest, but it is far from a done deal.

Cammalleri is an example of the relative shortage of top end talent in this year's UFA crop.

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What UFA’s to target? Where to add the scoring? Plan A involves signing Steve Sullivan… failing that, Plan B has to involve someone off this list (including Cammalleri) … or a trade. Here’s a few UFA’s I think might fit in Nashville, at least on the ice… the market will decide the affordability factor…


Ruslan Fedotenko – Proven playoff performer that is a fairly consistent 40 point guy, plus adding a desperately needed true left wing to the lineup… problem is, he’s looking for a raise from the 2.25 million he made last year… given his stock is rising, he just might get it.

Nik Antropov – Picking him up as a UFA would drive my HBR partner Brandon through the roof. Not because he doesn’t like him, but because the Preds didn’t pick him up at the last trade deadline. One thing about picking up Antropov… he could center the second line with Legwand and Erat at wings… May be an affordable option.

Mike Knuble – Consistent performer that may find himself on the short end in Philly due to signing the really big names. 27 goals last year on a reasonable 2.8 million. His age may impact his market value and may be affordable for a team like Nashville.

Michael Peca – This one interests me… a heart and soul player with a few questions… Can he stay healthy and does he have another year or two left in him? Could be a reasonable pickup in the $1 million range.

Alex Tanguay – Big money guy that is not coming off of a big money year… is there anything left in the tank? Made $5+ million last season, I can't see him getting that this year.

Martin Havlat – If the Preds are unable to sign Sullivan, Havlat could be a very viable alternative… however, health is again an issue. Lots of injuries over his contract in Chicago... but it cannot be denied that he made the Blackhawks a better team when he was in the lineup. I just wonder if anyone is going to offer him the $6 million that he made last season.

Eric Cole – I am a big Eric Cole fan and would love to see him in Pred colors… A left wing coming off a season that could only be described as mediocre... $4 million is a lot 42 points.

Brian Gionta – Here’s a player that could add 60 points+ to the lineup… made $4 million last season… only 30 with quite a few good seasons ahead of him that may be a tad too expensive for the Predators.


The fun begins tomorrow… the first couple of signings will be very revealing. The cap remained stable for this upcoming season, but it is universally accepted that it will drop for the 2010-2011 season... some are predicting a dramatic drop.

This anticipated change in the cap is the great unknown in this off-season. It has driven teams to be much more conservative in their offers both in term and money, pre- July 1. It has also driven players and their agents to wait it out and see if the crazy offers are going to come like they have every other year. As always it will come down to the discipline of the GM's ... something that has not been abundant in previous seasons...

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The Predators announced their annual Development Camp schedule yesterday… Pred Nation’s chance to get some live hockey in the summer and get a look at the future of the team.

On ice sessions are scheduled for July 8 and 9 for 10a – 11a… and Saturday July 11 for 9:45a – 10:45a.

The camp roster is posted on the team’s website.

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You are invited to follow me on Twitter. Search for PredPAPaul… Not only will I be updating when I get news or updates… I’ll also be updating during Pred home games in season with information and explanations from the PA box.

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Join Brandon Felder and me for the fastest hour in radio… HockeyBuzz Radio... Start time is 6pm on SportsRadio 560 WNSR, you can listen online at www.wnsr.com or you can download the podcast of the show at www.hockeybuzzradio.com

Tomorrow’s show is our season finale. We will feature Eklund, bringing us the hottest rumors from UFA day and a roundtable of HBR’s contributors including Pete Weber and Mark McGee looking back at the season that was and forward to 2009-2010… so tune in! We’re efforting an appearance by one of the senior leaders of the Predators Hockey Ops department as well to comment on the UFA Day activity.

Don't forget to check out www.hockeybuzzradio.com for schedules, updates, links to more hockey and Predators information along with our new weekly feature called “On the Mark” featuring opinions on all things hockey from hockey writer Mark McGee.

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