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Should the Nashville Predators claim some scoring help?

Two items on the NHL news wire this morning show that there are some talented, yet flawed wingers available on waivers if the Nashville Predators desired to pursue them. As we've seen before, however, the Preds can be very picky about the players they acquire, even if they don't cost anything in terms of players or draft picks in exchange. Miro Satan slipped through the waiver wire at the 2009 Trade Deadline, for example, so just because a guy is available doesn't mean the Preds are interested. But should they be?

Each of these situations comes with its own pros and cons, so follow after the jump as we look at the options...

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Marek Svatos signs with St. Louis

Another team wracked by injuries up front, the Blues have reached out to the former Colorado Avalanche forward who has played in the KHL this season. That means that he'll have to clear waivers before joining St. Louis, so the Predators could grab him. The contract is a two-way deal worth $800,000 at the NHL level (per ESPN's Pierre LeBrun), so money shouldn't be an issue here.


Marek Svatos

#40 / Right Wing / St. Louis Blues

5-10

185

Jun 17, 1982


YEARTEAMGPGAP+/-PIMPPGSHGGWGGTGSOG
2003 Avalanche 4 2 0 2 1 0 1 0 1 0 6
2005 Avalanche 61 32 18 50 0 60 12 0 9 0 165
2006 Avalanche 66 15 15 30 1 46 8 0 2 0 179
2007 Avalanche 62 26 11 37 13 32 3 0 6 0 140
2008 Avalanche 69 14 20 34 -6 34 6 0 1 0 140
2009 Avalanche 54 7 4 11 -13 35 3 0 1 0 84

Svatos isn't exactly the sort of two-way battler that the Predators are known for, and his durability is a concern. At age 28, however, there should be some gas left in the tank here.

New Jersey assigns Brian Rolston to AHL

Brian Rolston had some very productive seasons before he returned to New Jersey in the summer of 2008, hitting the 30-goal mark each of his three campaigns in Minnesota (not exactly a high-scoring outfit). The issue here is that he's 37 years old and has another year left on his contract. When the Devils put him through re-entry waivers (which is expected soon), teams can claim him and split the remaining salary with New Jersey, meaning he would cost the Preds about $1.35 million for the rest of this season, and $2.5 million next year.

Perhaps the opportunity here might be a "claim & trade" swap, in which the Preds agree with New Jersey to claim Rolston, along with a separate trade which sends a bit of salary to the Devils in exchange for some future  hockey value, like prospects and/or picks.

Just thinking out loud here, but consider Joel Ward as a trade possibility. Sending him to New Jersey in such a deal would cover about 60% of Rolston's cost this season, making the deal more affordable for the Predators. The Devils get a defensive forward in return who might fit in well for Jacques Lemaire, but doesn't impact their payroll for the 2011-12 season, leaving their options open as they struggle to deal with a salary cap mess.


Brian Rolston

#12 / Left Wing / New Jersey Devils

6-2

215

Feb 21, 1973


YEARTEAMGPGAP+/-PIMPPGSHGGWGGTGSOG
1994 Devils 40 7 11 18 5 17 2 0 3 0 92
1995 Devils 58 13 11 24 9 8 3 1 4 1 139
1996 Devils 81 18 27 45 6 20 2 2 3 0 237
1997 Devils 76 16 14 30 7 16 0 2 1 0 185
1998 Devils 82 24 33 57 11 14 5 5 3 0 210
1999 Bruins 16 5 4 9 -4 6 3 0 1 0 66
1999 Avalanche 50 8 10 18 -6 12 1 0 3 0 107
1999 Devils 11 3 1 4 -2 0 1 0 2 0 33
2000 Bruins 77 19 39 58 6 28 5 0 4 0 286
2001 Bruins 82 31 31 62 11 30 6 9 7 0 331
2002 Bruins 81 27 32 59 1 32 6 5 5 1 281
2003 Bruins 82 19 29 48 9 40 3 2 3 2 257
2005 Wild 82 34 45 79 14 50 15 5 7 0 293
2006 Wild 78 31 33 64 6 46 13 1 6 0 305
2007 Wild 81 31 28 59 -1 53 11 1 8 0 289
2008 Devils 64 15 17 32 2 30 8 0 3 0 174
2009 Devils 80 20 17 37 2 22 7 0 3 0 232
2010 Devils 21 2 3 5 -12 0 1 0 0 0 41

So what do you say, Predators fans? Should David Poile shop around on this Island of Misfit Toys?

Poll
What should the Predators do here?
Claim Marek Svatos
63 votes
Claim Brian Rolston
50 votes
Pass on both and stick to their guns
66 votes

179 votes | Poll has closed

Comment 13 comments  |  0 recs  | 

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Svatos

So he’s not a 2-way battler, he’s the kind of guy who can produce when he’s on a line with quality play-makers, and god do we have plenty of those. At 800k, what exactly are we losing/risking with this type of pickup? I mean, worst case scenario you put him through waivers yourself, right?

SecondChanceVille isn’t as catchy as Smashville, but I think we fit the bill.

EASports' NHL 11 doesn't suck; in fact, it's really damn good! Wait, what!?
Go Predators!!!

by Poiju on Dec 28, 2010 1:24 PM EST reply actions  

Hypothetically

Where would Svatos fit into the line up? I guess right now he could play w/ SK74 and Goc in Erat’s place. Once Erat and Sully are healthy where do some of you guys think he could fit in our lineup if by some slim chance he were to come here?

by Joel Ward is my Homeboy on Dec 28, 2010 1:36 PM EST reply actions  

Rolston

More of a question than anything, but can Lombardi be put on LTIR retroactively? This could bring down our average cap hit on the year and should put us a good distance away from having to worry about going over any cap midpoints that would make us ineligible for the complete revenue sharing package. With that said, I’m not sold that Rolston solves any of our problems and probably isn’t worth pursuing with another year left on his deal. I think the Preds would rather try Klasen and let him grow than bring in Svatos as well.

by myopinionstinks on Dec 28, 2010 2:13 PM EST reply actions  

LTIR doesn't work like that

Long Term Injured Reserve doesn’t remove a player’s salary from your cap numbers, it provides an allowance over the cap maximum which teams are able to use temporarily.

On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Preds (be sure to check out my discount offer on Nashville Predators tickets). Catch me on Twitter at @Forechecker, or join our legions on Facebook at Facebook.com/OnTheForecheck.

by Dirk Hoag on Dec 28, 2010 2:24 PM EST up reply actions  

Svatos and waivers

i don’t understand what yall is involved with waivers but why would he have to pass through them to join the Blues if they just went over seas and signed him. i thought waivers were just from going to Nhl to Ahl.

"Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers"

by flyalder on Dec 28, 2010 2:53 PM EST reply actions  

There is a specific rule that says when you sign a guy from Europe after a certain deadline (start of the season, or somewhere around there), that he has to clear waivers. It’s a rare occasion, but it does happen. It might, for example, come up with Evgeni Nabokov.

On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Preds (be sure to check out my discount offer on Nashville Predators tickets). Catch me on Twitter at @Forechecker, or join our legions on Facebook at Facebook.com/OnTheForecheck.

by Dirk Hoag on Dec 28, 2010 3:04 PM EST up reply actions  

thanks.

that seems weird though. what’s the point to something like that?

"Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers"

by flyalder on Dec 28, 2010 3:55 PM EST up reply actions  

It's purpose is...

To disuade teams from circumventing the cap by stashing players overseas until they are needed…

Predators Hockey: Live it, Love it...
Follow me on Twitter: @SLakePreds

by Seth Lake on Dec 28, 2010 5:38 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

ah gotcha

that does make since

"Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers"

by flyalder on Dec 28, 2010 11:44 PM EST up reply actions  

Help!

Yes, the Preds should make a move on at least one of the forwards mentioned.
Would be nice once in awhile besides reading about another mediocre Milwaukee forward signed to a two way (cheap) contract. Considering the fans are filling the arena this year management might take notice and do something instead of making the fan base nuts by scoring one goal per game. They’ve worked hard to get the fan support, now is not the time to go mucho cheapo.

by virgiltruck on Dec 28, 2010 5:02 PM EST reply actions  

Rolston woudn’t be a bad fit . That’s not going to solve the real issue. With Lomb. being out for the year supposedly. Poile and the owners with all the injuries are going to have to bite the bullet and take on salary. They need a prominent scorer and they are going to have to give one of our players up and prominent player in the system and maybe a pick. Lots of decisions will effect this including Sully’s contract is up and what do with Dumont. Ward’s contract is up. If nothing is done beside the waiver wire then I can’t see us in the playoffs. I don’t think the new CEO wants that

by roseyc on Dec 28, 2010 5:15 PM EST reply actions  

Waivers/Trades

I like the idea of picking up a scorer, but I’m not so sure about trading Wardo for a rent a player.

by Darren Yelton on Dec 28, 2010 8:59 PM EST reply actions  

Niclas Bergfors

Rumor has it that Bergfors is available from Atlanta for a pick or pick/prospect.

Bergfors is a little firebug on the ice that oozes offensive talent. Has scored both in New Jersey and Atlanta and was really one of the big pieces in Kovalchuk trade, but he is not fitting in with Craig Ramsey and is in the doghouse.

We thrive on guys that need a change of scenery…

Poile,

MAKE THE CALL!!!

Predators Hockey: Live it, Love it...
Follow me on Twitter: @SLakePreds

by Seth Lake on Dec 28, 2010 11:25 PM EST reply actions  

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