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Steve Simmons, Weekend Review and Random Notes - UPDATE Signs

July 5, 2011, 1:54 PM ET [ Comments]
Paul McCann
Nashville Predators Blogger •Predators Radio Network • RSSArchiveCONTACT
UPDATE 2:55pm CDT - Preds Twitter feed announcing that Preds have signed Kyle Wilson and Zack Stortini... looks like Mr. Carcillo will have a dance partner. :)

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OK, I’ve had my issues with the Canadian media, I’ll call out their misinformation every time, but Toronto Sun columnist Steve Simmons has gone from misinformation to flat out insulting. And it is not referring to hockey outside of Toronto. In his column posted July 1st he criticizes the General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs for going to visit the troops on Canada Day? And even worse, he says that Brian Burke was “putting his own self interests ahead of those of his team and their fan base.”

Seriously, Mr. Simmons wrote that. Apparently visiting brave men and women who are serving their country on July 1 is a bad thing (and self-serving according to Simmons) and Brian Burke is a bad GM because he wasn’t in his office when free agency began. Ummm… last time I checked, there are these amazing things called telephones and these newfangled gadgets called cell phones, and guess what Steve??? They even work in Afghanistan… there is also this thing called the internet, perhaps you heard of it… y’know Steve, the thing that’s killing newspapers all over the world.

Hey Steve… those troops are fighting for your freedom to say incredibly stupid stuff like this… Brian Burke did a good thing (with no evidence that he was not doing his job) and you rag him for it… and then when criticized about it you double down and say that you “don’t regret anything.”

Brian Burke has come out a said he was “deeply offended” by those callous comments. I join him in being offended. It wouldn’t surprise me if the Canadian (and for that matter, any other countries) troops that Burke visited may share in that sentiment.

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The first weekend of free agency is in the books and it does appear that the silly money is done… at least for now. It’s time for more reasonable moves to be made, and David Poile did just that on Saturday. Two moves got Pred Nation’s attention… the first one was the trade between the Preds and Leafs. Toronto acquiring Cody Franson and Matthew Lombardi while sending Brett Lebda and Robert Slaney to Music City.

It’s a clear salary move for Nashville and one that makes sense given the current situation. Lombardi has still not recovered from his concussion and is not cleared for workouts, carrying his $3.5 million salary without a player on the ice would hamper Nashville from signing someone that could contribute. If Lombardi is able to recover, this will be a great trade for Toronto.

Cody Franson is one of plenty of good blueline prospects in the Predator’s organization; he will be a solid pickup for Toronto, who needs the help on defense. Not sure if I agree with the characterization of Franson as a top four defenseman as it stands right now. That can only be proven over time. This move not only frees up money for Nashville, it also indicates that the team is more comfortable with up and coming prospects like Ryan Ellis, Roman Josi and Teemu Laakso filling out the 7th d-man slot, or possibly even the 6 spot, depending on Francis Bouillon’s progress.

The second move was the signing of Niclas Bergfors to a one year, $575,000 contract. Plenty of headroom for this 25 year old, but he has not stuck with three different teams. He looks to be a DP special… in the mode of last year’s surprise Sergei Kostitsyn… nice of the GM to bring in a familiar face for new Pred fans from Georgia. :-)

The weekend moves leave the Predators a little under $11 million under the salary floor and about $21 million below what the team spent last season. It has already been stated that the team will spend more on players this year… so there is work to be done. Getting Shea Weber, Ryan Suter and Pekka Rinne locked in long term will be a big piece of that.

The next bit of drama for Nashville is the resolution of the RFA issue, the hearing is scheduled for July 8. The results of this hearing will determine the strategy going forward. If the Preds lose this process, they have a lot more work to do than originally planned. This organization has been very successful letting the market shake out and then swoop in for a few bargains… now that the silly money is gone, expect to see a lot more of this.

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Random Notes

- The Nashville Predators prospect camp finished with some real excitement over several prospects. Ryan Ellis, Taylor Beck, Michael Latta and Zach Budish all impressed. Austin Watson showed well as did surpise Team USA standout Craig Smith.

- The horse trading between San Jose and Minnesota has been interesting to watch. The Wild now have a marquee name in Dany Heatley which should help their ticket sales. Can Heatley carry the goal scoring load for Minny?

- Tomas Vokoun’s signing in Washington gives one of my favorite players a realistic chance to compete for a Cup.

- Did anyone else think the Brad Richards thing was waaaaay too close to the LeBron James thing last year? The only thing missing was Jim Grey on ESPN.

- Still trying to figure out what the heck is going on in Philly. This off season is trying for even the most diehard fan of the orange and black.

- I really like LA adding Simon Gagne… for the second year in a row, they lose out on the big fish on UFA day… for the second year in a row, it may be the best thing for them.

- Kinda scratchin’ my head over Detroit’s 3 for $9.75 deal given to Jonathan Ericsson, seems a tad overpaid, unusual for the Wings.

- Watch out Pred fans, Dan Carcillo is back in the West and now in the Central Division. Chicago signed the pugnacious player for a reasonable $775k.

- Montreal hasn’t done much so far, beyond the signing of Eric Cole. I’m wondering if Cole can be successful outside of Carolina…

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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, but we are having a bit of fun by getting your input on Gnash introductions, weigh in on Twitter and who knows, we may use your introduction for the best mascot in the NHL at the next Preds game!

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Coming up on July 13th, I will be hosting the Skate of the Union festivities at Bridgestone Arena. There will be all kinds of activities on the arena plaza including the official revealing of the new Predators home jersey. I’ll be hosting from 10am – 6pm, then I turn things over to Pete Weber and Terry Crisp to handle the big reveal… Make plans to join us!
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