Yeah there was a little more to it than that. So many times I've watched other players blast right past him cuz he doesn't move his feet in the defensive zone. I think he's just a 3rd pair guy, at best maybe a #5 paired with a better #4.
- benjichronic

Franson got exposed and it cost him some serious dough. Cody will not get the contract he has been wishing for!

Franson got exposed and it cost him some serious dough. Cody will not get the contract he has been wishing for!
- slash&smash

And rightly so. He doesn't deserve it one bit. lumbered around and got burned left and right. Good for him that he was putting up decent numbers in Toronto, but A) he didn't put up those numbers in Nashville in a system that's great for offensive defensemen and b) he was just ineffective in just about every area of the game. PP, PK, even strength, offense, defense, checking, pinching, he was just lost out there.

I'm rooting for Trotz & Washington now that the Preds are eliminated, but I think the Rangers are a superior team. It's going to be a tough challenge for Washington to win in that series. I will admit, watching Ward play last night made me wish the Preds had him for the Hawks series to create traffic in front of Darling & Crawford. Ugh.

As for the Preds' offseason moves, I'd like to see:

Fisher: Re-sign (2-3 years @ $2.5M per year)
Ribeiro: Re-sign (2 years @ $3-4M per year, but don't go crazy)
Wilson: Re-sign (4 years @ $4M per year)
Smith: Re-sign (4 years @ $4M per year)
Jarnkrok: Re-sign (2 years @ $2M per year)
Beck: Re-sign (2 years @ $2M per year)

If Cullen & Volchenkov are cheap, there is room to sign them.
Let Santorelli, Franson & Borque walk.

I don't necessarily want to see it happen, but if Smith or Wilson got some kind of crazy offer (like $5M plus), it might be better for the Preds to let them walk & get the good draft picks coming back. Fiala should be ready next year & it would free up some cap space to try and find a big top-6 center in free agency.
- holycow_75

I truly don't think Fisher signs at 2.5 ? While we all know he wants to stay in Nashville for obvious reasons he deserves more than 2.5. To me Ribeiro is the most important piece right now. I say 2.5 as he still gets big $ from Arizona. Jarnkrok should be around 1 to 1.5. Smith and Wilson I see at 3.5 each but I see Wilson being difficult and wanting a lot more and potentially walking. Cullen I would welcome back but at 2.0

I truly don't think Fisher signs at 2.5 ? While we all know he wants to stay in Nashville for obvious reasons he deserves more than 2.5. To me Ribeiro is the most important piece right now. I say 2.5 as he still gets big $ from Arizona. Jarnkrok should be around 1 to 1.5. Smith and Wilson I see at 3.5 each but I see Wilson being difficult and wanting a lot more and potentially walking. Cullen I would welcome back but at 2.0
- wrister

I'm more worried about ribs wanting more and running. Ribs kinda has a reputation as being a Richard, so it wouldn't surprise me one bit if "reclamation mike" showed his true colors (if they're still there) and started asking for a ridiculous amount. If he starts that nonsense, let him walk. Sign riberio a little lower, and give more money to Wilson. Much more valuable at this point seeing he's 10 years younger and is looking poised for a breakout season.

I truly don't think Fisher signs at 2.5 ? While we all know he wants to stay in Nashville for obvious reasons he deserves more than 2.5. To me Ribeiro is the most important piece right now. I say 2.5 as he still gets big $ from Arizona. Jarnkrok should be around 1 to 1.5. Smith and Wilson I see at 3.5 each but I see Wilson being difficult and wanting a lot more and potentially walking. Cullen I would welcome back but at 2.0
- wrister

Also he's got nothing to be difficult about. He had a really solid season, his first 20 goal, 40 pt season... but again... he's 25 and that's his first 40 pt season after 5 years. Give him a one year, 3 mil contract, and if he proves himself again this year, then they start to pay him out. Just how I'd handle it.

Ribs will get more than $2.5mm and should get more. His cash from AZ doesn't factor in to his contract at all and it shouldn't. You may get a slight discount because he likes it here and wants to stay. Fish will get more than $2.5mm as well. Term will be the issue with him. He hinted last year at retiring when his contract was done. Seems he had a change of heart.
I think they'll both get contracts that have an AAV of around $4mm, give or take, with some of it possibly frontloaded. I don't think Jarny or Beck will get $2mm either, unless it is the 3rd year of a three year deal.

I'm more worried about ribs wanting more and running. Ribs kinda has a reputation as being a Richard, so it wouldn't surprise me one bit if "reclamation mike" showed his true colors (if they're still there) and started asking for a ridiculous amount. If he starts that nonsense, let him walk. Sign riberio a little lower, and give more money to Wilson. Much more valuable at this point seeing he's 10 years younger and is looking poised for a breakout season.
- benjichronic

I think Smith brings more skill to the table than Wilson. I realize Wilson had a big playoff thus him wanting huge money. The question is was this a breakout year because of a contract year or has he gotten over the hump ? i think 5 years is a long time to prove yourself no matter whose system your playing in. I think Smith has proven that. Also, I would trade Watson. He was a early draft pick that still can't crack the NHL roster. i wanted Emerson Etem at that pick.

Ribs will get more than $2.5mm and should get more. His cash from AZ doesn't factor in to his contract at all and it shouldn't. You may get a slight discount because he likes it here and wants to stay. Fish will get more than $2.5mm as well. Term will be the issue with him. He hinted last year at retiring when his contract was done. Seems he had a change of heart.
I think they'll both get contracts that have an AAV of around $4mm, give or take, with some of it possibly frontloaded. I don't think Jarny or Beck will get $2mm either, unless it is the 3rd year of a three year deal.
- snaveekram

I agree. I think Fish/Ribs both get a two year/8M between them. Jarny could see 2M, but Beck won't.

Also he's got nothing to be difficult about. He had a really solid season, his first 20 goal, 40 pt season... but again... he's 25 and that's his first 40 pt season after 5 years. Give him a one year, 3 mil contract, and if he proves himself again this year, then they start to pay him out. Just how I'd handle it.
- benjichronic

I think Wilson is coming into his own. If we could get him for 5 years averaging 4, I think it will be a steal by the end of his contract. He has the tools to be an elite power forward for the rest of his twenties. I think he knows it though and only signs a shorter term so he can cash in at the end of it. Smith I can see signing a 4-6 year/4.5 mil avg. I don't think it's too much of a gamble longing both of these guys long term. I hope we do. What everyone needs to consider is that we only really started the season with one dependable line due to Fish's injury. Give them both an offseason in Lavy's system with Fish centering them, and I fully expect to see great strides. If nothing else, we should be looking at 25-30 goals from al 3 of them at the very least. Of course, Fiala could come in and blow the doors off and take a second line spot which would be great too.

I've been saying for awhile that the Preds would be an ideal match with Edmonton to make a trade. I would consider trading Weber and his $14 million dollar salary if he'd return two of their premier forwards. They would replace one with McDavid and they can plug someone in for the defense which is Weber. Any combo of Hall, Eberle, and Nugent Hopkins bring $12 million dollars in salary back. The Preds than sign an anchor defensive Defenseman to play with Josi so he can do his thing while Ellis, Jones, and Ekholm get better and better. Everybody wins.

I've been saying for awhile that the Preds would be an ideal match with Edmonton to make a trade. I would consider trading Weber and his $14 million dollar salary if he'd return two of their premier forwards. They would replace one with McDavid and they can plug someone in for the defense which is Weber. Any combo of Hall, Eberle, and Nugent Hopkins bring $12 million dollars in salary back. The Preds than sign an anchor defensive Defenseman to play with Josi so he can do his thing while Ellis, Jones, and Ekholm get better and better. Everybody wins.
- MusicCityVic

Yeah.... but you lose shea weber....

Yeah.... but you lose shea weber....
- benjichronic

Not going to get something for nothing. His salary is going to cost some players this coming year and the next two years. Life of a small market team. With Josi's emergence, the improvement of both Ellis and Ekholm, and with Seth Jones coming on something will need to happen to improve the front end. Josi, Ellis, and Jones have good deals and i'm sure Ekholm's will be manageable as well.

Not going to get something for nothing. His salary is going to cost some players this coming year and the next two years. Life of a small market team. With Josi's emergence, the improvement of both Ellis and Ekholm, and with Seth Jones coming on something will need to happen to improve the front end. Josi, Ellis, and Jones have good deals and i'm sure Ekholm's will be manageable as well.
- MusicCityVic

We've got plenty of salary cap room and money, and there is no way you can replace Shea Weber. Even if you try on the free agent market to get a quality defenseman, you have to overpay a silly amount. The only way I would even slightly for a moment consider trading Shea to Edmonton is if McDavid is on the table Otherwise, walk away.

We've got plenty of salary cap room and money, and there is no way you can replace Shea Weber. Even if you try on the free agent market to get a quality defenseman, you have to overpay a silly amount. The only way I would even slightly for a moment consider trading Shea to Edmonton is if McDavid is on the table Otherwise, walk away.
- Vegas Trotzkies

We'll see how much money they actually have to spend and who they lose. We can not finish in the playoffs and get knocked out in the first round without Shea Weber. The cap is never an issue because they'll never approach it. The last thing I want to see is 'trades' in the form of salary dumps like Klein last year. Could have really used him this year. He is a great player but he wasn't even the best defenseman on the team this year. Maybe his knee was bothering him the second half of the season or he just doesn't fit this system as good as he fit in Trotz's but he fell way off, especially on the offensive end. If they offered two out of those three Oiler forwards id do it in a minute. Need more firepower on the front end.

You are spot on on the biggest problem being the inability to keep a lead. Previous teams had trouble scoring these guys score then can't hold the lead. I'm going to list players and give my few word assessment
#3 TOO soft
#4 TOO small
#6 AWESOME
#7 Too old time to retire
#9 SUPER AWESOME
#10 Not a good pick up
#12 Solid heart and soul
#14 Solid young going to get better
#15 Same as above
#18 Expect more next year
#19 Young super fast
#20 Solid stay at home D
#24 Gritty heart and soul when he went down the team started to slide
#25 Really fast lots of potential
#28 GREAT at what he does heart and soul guy
#30 Solid what a back up should be
#33 WAY TOO SOFT
#35 At times amazing at times disappointing
#41 Good bottom 6 guy
#44 Slow soft BAD pick up
#56 Potential
#57 Good bottom 6 guy
#59 Will have Norris one day
#63 PLEASE come back
#64 Improving good 3rd pair guy
Just my observations over the season, Poile has decisions to make and work to do

.

You are spot on on the biggest problem being the inability to keep a lead. Previous teams had trouble scoring these guys score then can't hold the lead. I'm going to list players and give my few word assessment
#3 TOO soft
#4 TOO small
#6 AWESOME
#7 Too old time to retire
#9 SUPER AWESOME
#10 Not a good pick up
#12 Solid heart and soul
#14 Solid young going to get better
#15 Same as above
#18 Expect more next year
#19 Young super fast
#20 Solid stay at home D
#24 Gritty heart and soul when he went down the team started to slide
#25 Really fast lots of potential
#28 GREAT at what he does heart and soul guy
#30 Solid what a back up should be
#33 WAY TOO SOFT
#35 At times amazing at times disappointing
#41 Good bottom 6 guy
#44 Slow soft BAD pick up
#56 Potential
#57 Good bottom 6 guy
#59 Will have Norris one day
#63 PLEASE come back
#64 Improving good 3rd pair guy
Just my observations over the season, Poile has decisions to make and work to do

.
- sterlingacres

#3- doesn't have to be weber tough, to be effective. And it was only his 2nd season
#4- VERY small, but he does make up for it at times. I was impressed by his play in his own zone earlier this season before injury

#18- needs to produce a lot more, in his defense, he battled injuries, and scoring in general was down throughout the leage

#19- absolutely has to put on more weight if he wants a solid nhl career

#25- HAD potential.... guy's 29 now... he has/had every tool to become a solid nhl power forward, but was never able to connect the dots. I think it might be a little late for him.

#33- Not seeing what you're saying about him being soft... he was one of the few to consistently get to the dirty areas, do good board work, just because he doesn't hit all the time, I wouldn't consider him 'soft'. Looks like he poised to take on a real top 6 nhl role, so hopefully he can finish off his development.

#44- if they resign this clown, Nashville doesn't deserve to have a competing team... lol he gave them every reason why NOT to sign him. I've never seen a players skates so stagnant in his own zone... never seen a man of that size and stature get pushed around as much as he did. Class A Clown.

#59- he WILL have a Norris in the next 4 seasons. Mark my words. His breakout this season was most impressive. Fast as hell, I'd say he's one of the better puck movers in the league, plays a similar game to Duncan keith, but whereas keith is supremely OVERrated, josi is criminally UNDERrated.

#63- It'd be nice to have him back in the gold again, but something tells me he's gonna start to be a Richard and ask for huge money. He doesn't deserve it, last huge contract he signed he got bought out after the first season. He's 34, yeah he had a productive season, but how many more does he have left? we can all agree he's no datsyuk, jagr, or thornton. If they can sign him to a friendly but fair deal to him, great. If not, could pose some problems, not the end of the world.

#64- I was very impressed with throughout the season. He showed he's a capable stay at home kinda guy. He's a really good option for a 3rd pair dman.

We'll see how much money they actually have to spend and who they lose. We can not finish in the playoffs and get knocked out in the first round without Shea Weber. The cap is never an issue because they'll never approach it. The last thing I want to see is 'trades' in the form of salary dumps like Klein last year. Could have really used him this year. He is a great player but he wasn't even the best defenseman on the team this year. Maybe his knee was bothering him the second half of the season or he just doesn't fit this system as good as he fit in Trotz's but he fell way off, especially on the offensive end. If they offered two out of those three Oiler forwards id do it in a minute. Need more firepower on the front end.
- MusicCityVic

Klein was in no way, shape or form a salary dump. It was a desperation move, trying to find more offense (only the Preds would try to find more offense by bringing in a defender) and evening up the left hand shots vs the right hand shots on defense. Klein had a very favorable contract. It was one of Poile's more regrettable trades, but it wasn't a salary dump. The Preds are long past that phase.

I was really surprised that Poile traded for Franson this year because it put them in the exact same position, but I think his long standing desire to ice a full defense of players drafted by the Preds trumped that fact. It's unfortunate because Sekera was available, would have been a better fit, and wouldn't have cost as much.

As for trading Weber, NO WAY!!!! You saw how thin we were on defense when he was out of the playoffs. The Preds would just have to overpay someone to replace him. Besides, his contract starts getting better and better in just one season. He should retire as a Predator.