The Predators got bigger and more experienced on the blueline today with the acquisition of Hal Gill from Montreal. Gill is a 6'7" defenseman joining his fifth NHL team after stints with Boston, Pittsburgh, Toronto and Montreal. The Concord, Massachusetts native was drafted in the 8th round of the 1993 entry draft. His assets include size, defensive responsibility and playoff experience. He has been to the Stanley Cup Finals multiple times and won a cup with Pittsburgh.

Gill is a great pickup for Nashville, showing that this team is committed to beefing up for a playoff run with the kind of player that has been there, done that.

Exiting the Predators organization in this deal is prospect Robert Slaney, who has split his time between Cincinnati and Milwaukee this season and Blake Geoffrion, the first player who grew up in Tennessean to play in the NHL. Personally, I will miss Blake, I watched him grow up playing hockey in Nashville and quite frankly... you won't meet a finer young man. Treat him well Montreal... as the son/grandson/great-grandson of Habs of the past, try not to put to much on those young shoulders.

Gill is expected to join the team tonight in Detroit but is not expected to be in the lineup.

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