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Now What?

July 2, 2009, 3:11 PM ET [ Comments]
Paul McCann
Nashville Predators Blogger •Predators Radio Network • RSSArchiveCONTACT
After getting Ward and Sullivan signed and back in the fold, the dust is settling… What will the Predators do now? As of this writing, the roster stands like this:

Arnott / Dumont/ Sullivan
Legwand / Erat / ??? (O’Reilly?)
Jones / Pihlstrom / Ward
Smithson / Tootoo / Belak

Weber / Suter
Hamhuis / Klein
Sulzer / ??? (Franson? Blum? Laakso?)

Rinne
Ellis

The second line spot has been a challenge. I get the feeling it’s a spot reserved for Colin Wilson, but that may still be a season away as the Predators are known for wanting their prospects to spend time in Milwaukee before making the big club. The team went away from that philosophy last season with results that were not good.

Is there a free agent forward out there that may be able to fit in, both on ice and on budget? There may be a few that are available at this writing that may fit the bill.

Taylor Pyatt – The 6’3” Thunder Bay native could bring some secondary scoring to a team that desperately needs it. His scoring fell off last year in Vancouver after scoring 16 and 23 goals each of the previous two seasons. The 28 year old former first round pick could be a nice addition.

Robert Lang – The 39 year old center may have one more season in the tank, and may be a help to fellow Czech Martin Erat. Putting him on the second line would bring a little size and could move Legwand to wing, where he did show some success last season. He has not scored less than 18 goals in any of his ten full NHL seasons since 98/99.

Tyler Arnason – Has had an up and down tenure with Colorado, doesn’t bring size, but has shown a scoring touch while with the Chicago Blackhawks… may be worth a shot at a reasonable price.

Ruslan Fedotenko – A solid, if unspectacular player in the regular season, since coming up to regular duty in the NHL he has scored 123 goals over the past 7 full seasons, including 26 with the Lightning in 05/06. A proven playoff performer, the 30 year old Ukrainian could be a nice add at the right price.

I don't expect an answer in the next few days... the Predators normally look for bargains after the big money is spent... usually at the end of July or August.

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The Nashville – Tampa Bay trade rumors refuse to go away, I’m just hearing a LOT of conflicting information. Nothing matches up…

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