Nashville Predators trade for Edmonton's Denis Grebeshkov
by Dirk Hoag on Mar 1, 2010 5:08 PM EST
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PrintThe Nashville Predators have made a splashy move heading into the NHL Trade Deadline, acquiring defenseman Denis Grebeshkov from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a 2nd-round draft pick, per TSN. This is a significant addition to the Nashville defense corps, and likely clears the way for a Dan Hamhuis trade heading into Wednesday's deadline. Preds GM David Poile has often said that moving Hamhuis (who will be a free agent this summer) would be predicated on acquiring a veteran defenseman to fill his role.
Grebeshkov, who makes just over $3 million this season and will be a restricted free agent this summer, is a dynamic defender who might be able to add punch to what has been a lifeless Nashville power play. He represented Russia at the Winter Olympics, tallying one assist in four games.
Check out Lowetide's posts on Grebeshkov over the course of the season and you'll see a talented, but somewhat inconsistent performer this season. On a bad team, defensemen can often get sucked into leaving position and trying to do too much (a feature noted on his scouting report), and it's likely that the Predators think that within a more structured environment he can be successful.
For a bit of reaction, here's what Benjamin Massey of Copper & Blue had to say upon hearing of this trade:
I just went down to the lunchroom, got a highball glass, and poured myself a stiff drink so I could whip it at my computer monitor in disgust.
Steve Tambellini is amazing. Every time you think he can't possibly $@%! up worse, that he's reached the nadir of human intellect, he somehow does it! It's like the Oilers have become a reality show!
Interestingly, Grebeshkov was presumably already here in Nashville, since the Oilers play the Predators here at the newly-christened Bridgestone Arena tomorrow evening.
The Nashville Predators resume their home schedule after the Olympic break Tuesday, March 2nd vs. Edmonton, and have 10 home games in the month of March. For discounted tickets to any Nashville Predators home game, follow this link and use the special offer code "PREDS".
The following press release was sent out by the Preds:
Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has acquired defenseman Denis Grebeshkov (DEH-nihs greh-behsh-KAHV) from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.
Grebeshkov, 26 (10/11/83), has 19 points (6g-13a) in 47 games with the Oilers in 2009-10, his third full NHL campaign. The Yaroslavl, Russia native registered career highs in both goals (7) and points (39) a season ago in Edmonton, and has 82 points (16g-66a) in 223 career games with Los Angeles, N.Y. Islanders and Edmonton since 2003-04.
Selected 18th overall by the Kings in the 2002 Entry Draft, the 6-0, 209-pound blueliner is fresh off representing Russia in the 2010 Olympics where he registered an assist while playing in all four of the nation's games. Grebeshkov has also helped Russia win gold medals at the past two World Championships, posting six assists in nine games in 2008 and a goal and two assists in nine games last May.
Regular Season
Playoffs
Season
Club
League
GP
G
A
PTS
PIM
GP
G
A
PTS
PIM
2001-02
Yaroslavl
Russia
26
1
2
3
10
--
--
--
--
--
2002-03
Yaroslavl
Russia
48
0
7
7
26
10
0
1
1
2
2003-04
Manchester
AHL
43
2
7
9
34
6
0
1
1
6
Los Angeles
NHL
4
0
1
1
0
--
--
--
--
--
2004-05
Manchester
AHL
75
5
44
49
87
6
0
4
4
2
2005-06
Manchester
AHL
48
2
25
27
59
--
--
--
--
--
Los Angeles
NHL
8
0
2
2
12
--
--
--
--
--
2005-06
New York Islanders
NHL
21
0
3
--
8
--
--
--
--
--
Bridgeport
AHL
--
--
--
--
--
7
1
1
2
8
2006-07
Yaroslavl
Russia
47
8
8
16
79
7
0
2
2
6
2007-08
Edmonton
NHL
71
3
15
18
22
--
--
--
--
--
2008-09
Edmonton
NHL
72
7
32
39
38
--
--
--
--
--
2009-10
Edmonton
NHL
47
6
13
19
26
--
--
--
--
--
NHL TOTALS
223
16
66
82
106
0
0
0
0
0
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I gotta say, he’s a better Hamhuis replacement than I was anticipating. Looks like a winner!
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Now fork over DH!
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
Hey, you know I’d like to for Fleischmann. I’m guessing it goes down before our game tomorrow, we’ve got 24 players and eight defensemen on the roster right now, all healthy.
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I expected a lot more movement today, but there’s still time. I can’t imagine the Caps staying with what they have. I’ll be very disappointed if they do. Flash for Hamhuis would really help both teams.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
Now the question here is, where is Hamhuis going to get traded?
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by Kevin Sellathamby on Mar 1, 2010 5:14 PM EST reply actions
Hallelujah!
He must be an rockstar for Poile to part with a draft pick! Welcome aboard, Grebeshkov! I always thought we needed a tough Russian on our team.
"Get to the Choppa!"
Trotz was on XM talking about the team wanting to add veteran blueline depth just as the Zone was announcing this trade. This makes a Hamhuis trade more likely, but not a sure thing.
At $3.1mil, Grebs is likely a rental. Let someone make an offer sheet or trade for his rights, get the pick back this year or next.
Awkward
Yeah, umm Grebeshkov, you’re going to have to go to the other bench tonight and put on one of their jerseys. I wonder how that works.
I mean I would imagine that he’s booted out of the Oilers hotel room and the Preds put him up in one temporarily. But, he knows exactly what tomorrow’s game plan was.
did Edmonton HAVE a game plan for tomorrow?
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Probably not, have you seen them play?
The New Improved Avalanche. Now with Real Coaches!
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time
by Jibblescribbits on Mar 1, 2010 5:48 PM EST up reply actions
yeah
Thats why I was asking.
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Taylor Hall or Bust?
Cheers, Complaints, homerism and bashing of mediocre pop musicians in 140 Characters
"DO NOT get stuck behind Kyle Wellwood in the buffet line. This isn't really etiquette, but it will prevent you from starving to death"- Down Goes Brown on Etiquette for Jason Spezza's wedding
by Kevin Sellathamby on Mar 1, 2010 9:13 PM EST up reply actions
I like it.
Sorry, Ben…
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So apparently the Preds need more than just a 2nd for Hammer ;) Interesting that Grebeshkov’s arrival signals Hamhuis’s departure.
Because he started his career in LA and I had high hopes for him, I’ve kept my eye on him more than most players around the league. Here’s an incredibly amateur and uneducated scouting report of what you can expect. He’ll show some flashes on the power play that make you think that you have a GREAT player. Unfortunately, when you watch him for 82 games, he’s the kind of player that consistently makes those little mistakes throughout the game. He’s shown signs that he’s getting better… but then again, he always does. Hopefully the change of scenery in Nashville and a good defensive partner can help him take the next step. But “dependable” is NOT the word that comes to mind.
Interesting, because Hamhuis might be the polar opposite of Grebeshkov… It’ll be hard to judge this trade until you see what the return for Hammer ends up being. If they can get a high return and have Grebeshkov waiting to inherit Hammer’s minutes, then everything will work out just fine…
Also, remember that Grebeshkov is a RFA at the end of the season who is making $3.1 mil this season. He’s not going to be cheap in the offseason.
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draft pick?
Poile gave up a draft pick? He must have another one on the way
by flyalder on Mar 1, 2010 6:22 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Okay, I’ve vented my spleen at the C&B, so let me tell you guys a bit about Grebeshkov.
First off, his nickname in Edmonton was “the LSD Blotter”. Take from that what you will. He is, at his best, the quintessential chaos defender. He’ll make a play that’ll have you rise from your seat, and then one that will make you drop back down in despair.
But he brings a lot more to the table than he takes off. He’s got a nice head for offense, but unlike most chaos defenders he doesn’t make stupid pinches or elementary errors: if anything, when he gets burned it’s because he wasn’t quite aggressive enough and seemed to be overanalyzing rather than reacting.
He’s a bit overpaid for this season relative to his contribution at $3.1 million, but with restricted free agency looming and the Kings’ management not being completely imbecilic, you should be able to get a nice contract out of him unless he’s jetting back to Russia.
I’ll miss him.
Kings’Preds management not being completely imbecilic
Fixed.
Thanks for the input, Ben. Like I said above, I’m pretty happy about this deal if he’s a Hamhuis filler.
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I don't get this
Dreger, obviously reputable, tweets:
There is no question the Flyers have had discussions with Nashville regarding Dan Hamhuis. A young d-man is the asking price…likely Parent
First off, Parent is a former Pred that we already dumped. Second, he doesn’t score. Third, Philly doesn’t have scorers to give us. Surely this is wrong.
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Would you guys take Hartnell back?
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
I kinda doubt it
He’s pricey, and has a NTC. Sure, he’d be nice to have, but I don’t think Poile does that.
Weird stuff. I have no idea whats going on, unless McKenzie and Dreger are just wrong.
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Another thought that just came up on Twitter (@cellblock303) is it being a 3 way deal that has Hamhuis to Philly, Parent to Team X and a forward to us. That would make more sense.
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I still find talks with Philly bewildering. I’m looking at their roster and the only forward who makes any sense for us is James van Riemsdyk. And that would make no sense for Philly… so I just hope all this Philly hype is completely wrong.
"Get to the Choppa!"
Woah...
It’s the main headline on tsn.ca
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by Aditya T (smashville) on Mar 1, 2010 7:25 PM EST up reply actions
I’m not completely opposed but NSH would most definitely have to throw more into that deal to make it even close to even.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
yeah
It’d be Hamhuis/Santorelli/Budish, or some other such combo.
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The Caps would much rather just send Flash and keep it basically 1 to 1. No need to move Semin if we don’t have to and we have him signed through next year.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
yeah but if the caps don’t win the cup this year i doubt Semin would want to stay in Ovi’s shadow for another year. and the caps could sacrifice him and still not struggle offensively, but they need defensive improvement in order to hold off the high powered offense of the eastern conference playoff teams. and hamuis proved before the break that he could handle crosby/malkin, that has to be enticing to the caps ;)
Flyers NOT in on Ellis or Hamhuis (yet)
I’m told Flyers are not close to a deal with Nashville as of Monday night. Dan Ellis NOT involved in a trade scenario…sorry.
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