Most of Poile's moves have been solid. Rinne is finally earning those $$ after the injury. Stalberg was a mistake but Josi, Ellis and Jones along with Weber make them a scary team. Also, Forsberg for Erat may have been one of the top fleecings of the last decade. The Preds defensemen and some of the forward speed and grit have made them solid so far and I guess Rinne makes them a playoff worry but I really can't see a team with Mikey "JEJO" Ribeiro at 1C getting anywhere that matters. Poile's best move may have been finding a way for Ribeiro to pass his drug tests.
- tredbrta

FWIW, Ribeiro cleaned up his act, and moved his family to Nashville this season. Granted, he's not an ideal #1C, but a good value signing for this season.

Most of Poile's moves have been solid. Rinne is finally earning those $$ after the injury. Stalberg was a mistake but Josi, Ellis and Jones along with Weber make them a scary team. Also, Forsberg for Erat may have been one of the top fleecings of the last decade. The Preds defensemen and some of the forward speed and grit have made them solid so far and I guess Rinne makes them a playoff worry but I really can't see a team with Mikey "JEJO" Ribeiro at 1C getting anywhere that matters. Poile's best move may have been finding a way for Ribeiro to pass his drug tests.
- tredbrta

Don't forget when he traded a 1st round pick to the Sabres for Gaustad two years ago.

FWIW, Ribeiro cleaned up his act, and moved his family to Nashville this season. Granted, he's not an ideal #1C, but a good value signing for this season.
- EKolb13

So far so good and, at $1m, he has been a steal.

We have heard before though that he has cleaned up his act (with the Caps and Phoenix) and know where that ended. If I were Poile I wouldn't want him around kids like Seth Jones.

Had a similar feeling about Vanek to the Wild. With all of the gambling and character reports on him why would Fletcher insert him into a young locker room. I guess both GMs have confidence in the leaders they already have to keep characters like this from hurting chemistry.

Smart move letting Stalberg walk. Unless someone claims him Poile is paying him until 2017-18.

I wonder if this is going to be another contract termination.
- tredbrta

Not in a million years. Both parties have to mutually agree to terminate a contract, Stalberg would be the dumbest human on the planet to walk away from the millions he's still owed by Nashville. He'll never get anything but a fraction of that on another NHL contract.

Don't forget when he traded a 1st round pick to the Sabres for Gaustad two years ago.


- TommyHawk

Guastad is still there so there was some value. Didn't help their playoff run though and I think Subban and Maata were drafted after that pick. I think the Flames drafted a big center that is in college still. On balance, I'd still take Poile over most GMs.

Not in a million years. Both parties have to mutually agree to terminate a contract, Stalberg would be the dumbest human on the planet to walk away from the millions he's still owed by Nashville. He'll never get anything but a fraction of that on another NHL contract.
- MartiniMan

Brunner's contract was only $500k less than Stalberg's.

It would be a stupid move but Swedes have been taking discounted contracts. Obviously, living in a socialist utopia makes them value money less than the rest of us.

I know Brunner is Swiss.

Brunner's contract was only $500k less than Stalberg's.

It would be a stupid move but Swedes have been taking discounted contracts. Obviously, living in a socialist utopia makes them value money less than the rest of us.

I know Brunner is Swiss.
- tredbrta

This was the last year of Brunner's contract. Stalberg has 2 years left at $3.5M salary both years. Huge difference. Seven million differences.

This was the last year of Brunner's contract. Stalberg has 2 years left at $3.5M salary both years. Huge difference. Seven million differences.
- MartiniMan

I believe you're correct there. It would be hard for anyone to walk away from a multi-year, multi-million dollar contract.

This was the last year of Brunner's contract. Stalberg has 2 years left at $3.5M salary both years. Huge difference. Seven million differences.
- MartiniMan

Gotcha. Sorry. Thought Brunner had next year as well.

Considering the money Hammer and the Sedins left on the table though.... you never know. Agree, Stals would be a moron to terminate. Caveat emptor I guess for Poile.

On Shaw, the night to night grind can take a toll come December. With two, three day spans with out a game following the Wild game Hossa and Shaw will get the natural rest. Q has always been good about getting the guys the rest they need. Especially Hossa.

Most of Poile's moves have been solid. Rinne is finally earning those $$ after the injury. Stalberg was a mistake but Josi, Ellis and Jones along with Weber make them a scary team. Also, Forsberg for Erat may have been one of the top fleecings of the last decade. The Preds defensemen and some of the forward speed and grit have made them solid so far and I guess Rinne makes them a playoff worry but I really can't see a team with Mikey "JEJO" Ribeiro at 1C getting anywhere that matters. Poile's best move may have been finding a way for Ribeiro to pass his drug tests.
- tredbrta

Correct, Ribeiro is a mouthy first class jerk who wears out his welcome real quick. The Preds are much improved under Laviolette but eventually Derek Roy and Ribeiro will revert to what they have always been - not good enough.

Winning the Central is very important - let St. Louis and Nashville pound one another and get rid of one of them in the 1st round.

Former #Blackhawks winger Ben Eager, who had been in KHL, signs with AHL Chicago Wolves. Will practice tomorrow and can play this weekend.
— Chris Kuc (@ChrisKuc) December 18, 2014...

Former #Blackhawks winger Ben Eager, who had been in KHL, signs with AHL Chicago Wolves. Will practice tomorrow and can play this weekend.
— Chris Kuc (@ChrisKuc) December 18, 2014...
- wolverine19

I read this article a couple of days ago. I wonder if that is related to Eager coming back to play in the A?

http://www.washingtonpost...ng-ruble-kill-khl-hockey/

My worry is Stan throws this guy(Rundblad) a one way contract next year
- MNHawk

There is a big difference between a contract that is actually a one way and the fcat that after being a four year pro your team needs you to pass through waviers to get to the AHL.


So Rundblad can't leave or be assigned to Rockford withot passing waviers already.

Don't forget when he traded a 1st round pick to the Sabres for Gaustad two years ago.

- TommyHawk

Also don't forget (besides the fact they have EIGHT rostered centres) the inked Paul Gaustad to a four year 3.25 mil deal and a modified trade clause!

Most of Poile's moves have been solid. Rinne is finally earning those $$ after the injury. Stalberg was a mistake but Josi, Ellis and Jones along with Weber make them a scary team. Also, Forsberg for Erat may have been one of the top fleecings of the last decade. The Preds defensemen and some of the forward speed and grit have made them solid so far and I guess Rinne makes them a playoff worry but I really can't see a team with Mikey "JEJO" Ribeiro at 1C getting anywhere that matters. Poile's best move may have been finding a way for Ribeiro to pass his drug tests.
- tredbrta

Poile had excuses with ownership but to give him full credit for Forsberg is somewhat of a reach...Erat asked to be traded otherwise that doesn't come about...
And Erat leaving is what made Stalberg a rich man as he looked to replace the offense.

Poile completely misread the Suter situation and I couldn't let one of the top 5 dmen in the NHL leave and get nothing in return.

As far as Rinne....IMO he is the best in the world when healthy. Issue is whether or not his hip issues will be a chronic concern. If so that will be an awful cap hit to swallow.

The Preds were fortunate in being able to get Seth Jones but some of the others Poile deserves credit.

Poile had excuses with ownership but to give him full credit for Forsberg is somewhat of a reach...Erat asked to be traded otherwise that doesn't come about...
And Erat leaving is what made Stalberg a rich man as he looked to replace the offense.

Poile completely misread the Suter situation and I couldn't let one of the top 5 dmen in the NHL leave and get nothing in return.

As far as Rinne....IMO he is the best in the world when healthy. Issue is whether or not his hip issues will be a chronic concern. If so that will be an awful cap hit to swallow.

The Preds were fortunate in being able to get Seth Jones but some of the others Poile deserves credit.
- Al

I know you're not a fan of Poile, Al, but to be fair he had a very good team that year and both Rinne and Suter on expiring contracts. If I remember correctly even the Hawks were duped by Suter's agent about his intentions that summer. Tough spot for a GM to be in, especially when he had a chance to go deep in the playoffs and knew his ownership at the time wouldn't commit the dollars to keep their big three.

Pirri just did his best Kane impression in the SO. Why would we ever part ways with such a virtuoso talent?

Pirri just did his best Kane impression in the SO. Why would we ever part ways with such a virtuoso talent?
- SimpleJack

Florida is proving that even Hawks rejects are a good team.

wow...blues 9 on quick in 4 periods.....

nobody can beat the blues or ducks at the moment

wow...blues 9 on quick in 4 periods.....

nobody can beat the blues or ducks at the moment
- bogiedoc

Plz, we just beat both those teams. Nobody can beat the Blackhawks at the moment, how bout that.

And btw what on earth is wrong with LA? They're "hangover" is FAR worse than ours was last year, and im not even really going by record, rather trends in their play. They're not the same team. Giving up tons of shots and chances, its very odd. Again, i know the Hawks weren't exactly the same team after winning the Cup in 2013, and i know its early, but something just looks terribly wrong with the Kings. That blue line is very suspect, and im not sure they can fix it. But i also wouldnt be surprised if they shut me up come seasons end. We'll see what happens.

I know you're not a fan of Poile, Al, but to be fair he had a very good team that year and both Rinne and Suter on expiring contracts. If I remember correctly even the Hawks were duped by Suter's agent about his intentions that summer. Tough spot for a GM to be in, especially when he had a chance to go deep in the playoffs and knew his ownership at the time wouldn't commit the dollars to keep their big three.
- MartiniMan

Suter and Parise had their deal scripted for some time ...If u recall I had tweeted I thought they were going to Minny. Besides $$, wives have a big say where the player goes.

Regardless Suter could have been signed a year before....And when he wasn't a giant red flag had to go up. No doubt it would have been difficult or impossible to sign all 3...Rinne-Suter-Weber. But Poile got steamrolled with both Suter/Weber.

Weber's offer sheet happened and again he was caught in a bad position.

I think he fell in love with the players and the belief that Nashville was their end game....More times than not money is the end game, especially with a team that couldn't win in the playoffs.

So out of 3 he paid a king's ransom for Rinne....Who could be worth it.
Lost Suter for nothing and was held captive by Weber....
Not the guy I would want running my team as he was caught with his pants down more than once.

Losing Suter for nothing would be equivalent to Stan Bo not being able to resign both Kane/Toews. Before anyone debates that point how often are 2 young 30 minute a night defenders paired together on the same team and both are considered elite??

At one time arguably the Preds had the best defensive pairing in the NHL and the best goalie but u have to manage the contracts. In my view when Trotz lost to the Hawks in the playoffs he should have been on short leash.

They had the Hawks by the throat in the playoffs and...
Trotz and his players looked like a deer in headlights and lost in Chgo when a better coached team wouldn't have.....But Poile stuck with him too.

Nice....Blues collapse in LA

6-4 Kings win!

Brodeur had a really tough night.

James Mirtle ‏@mirtle · 2m2 minutes ago
Predators put Viktor Stalberg on waivers
- FourFeathers773

Good!!!! Finally - Vickie can now try out for Disney on Ice. I said that was a bad signing by Nashville - when all the "goober" Hawk fans on this site were pining for him!!!!!

I read this article a couple of days ago. I wonder if that is related to Eager coming back to play in the A?

http://www.washingtonpost...ng-ruble-kill-khl-hockey/
- EKolb13

There's going to be a lot of guys trying to get back to the NHL next year. Ovechkin speculation now over? Kovalchuk likely to try and return?