Just when you thought things were done at 501 Broadway, news breaks that the first draft choice in franchise history has been traded... David Legwand is a Detroit Red Wing after a deadline trade that sent the 33 year old center back to his home in Michigan. The Predators get Patrick Eaves, Calle Jarnkrok and a conditional draft pick in either the 3rd or 2nd round of the 2014 draft, dependent on Detroit making the playoffs.
Try to wrap your head around this one... you could make a very solid argument that David Poile worked a deal that saw Legwand generating a better return than either Thomas Vanek or Matt Moulson... two of the larger names coming into today's trade deadline.
Apparently the puck David Poile took to the head prior to the Olympic break had no impact on his negotiating skills...
Let's look at who Nashville gets in this deal.
Patrick Eaves- Eaves is a 6', 192 lb forward, shoots right and normally plays on the right side. He was drafted 29th overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the Ottawa Senators. His highest scoring NHL season was his rookie year in 05-06, posting 20 goals in 58 games with the Senators. The closest he has come since was in his first two seasons with Detroit where he posted 12 and 13 goals respectively in the 09-10 and 10-11 seasons. There is a Preds connection as he suffered a broken jaw and concussion after taking a Roman Josi shot to the face during a game in November of 2011, Eaves missed the rest of the season with a concussion and did not return to the Detroit lineup until January of 2013. So far this season, Eaves has 2 goals and 3 assists in 25 games.
Callie Jarnkrok - A native of Gavle Sweden, Jarnkrok was selected in the second round (51st overall) of the 2010 NHL Draft by Detroit. The 22 year old center is 6' - 188 lbs and shoots right. He has had an up-and-down year for Detroit's top AHL affialiate, posting 13 goals and 23 assists in 57 games with Grand Rapids. He is known as a puck possession center, solid playmaker and has excellent skating skills, and judging by the reaction from Detroit fans, could be a very solid player.
Draft Pick - Third round in the 2013 draft that moves up to a second round pick if the Red Wings make the playoffs this season.
To let you know the immediate reaction... This is a quote from Bob Duff in The Windsor Star...
"This is what Detroit development coach Jiri Fischer had to say about Jarnkrok’s potential just last month:He’s certainly one of our most talented, if not the most talented prospect,… Fischer said. “Not to take anything away from others like Anthony Mantha, but Calle, the stuff he can do – he is as good as anybody in terms of hand-eye coordination and skill in tight places.
“He makes plays and it’s just a matter of time until he really starts putting up big numbers."
The headline on his piece... "Wings’ move for Legwand smacks of panic"
Hard to disagree with that assessment... and once again, David Poile makes a little magic as the deadline hits and gets a setup man for Filip Forsberg.