Nashville Predators free agents: Should they stay or should they go?
by Dirk Hoag on Apr 27, 2010 12:47 PM EDT
43 comments
It's never too early to start looking ahead to the 2010-11 version of the Nashville Predators, and the most likely roster changes involve players who are heading into free agency.
After the jump we'll point out whose contracts are up, and ask the vital question, per the Clash - Should they stay or should they go?
When it comes to restricted free agents, the basic story there is that the Preds need to make Qualifying Offers to those players to retain their RFA rights (basically, the QO is for what they made last year, with a small bump for lesser-paid players). After July 1, if the RFA hasn't yet signed a new contract, other teams can sign them to an offer sheet, which the Predators can match if they choose. If the Preds decide to let that player go, they would get compensation from the player's new team, based on the cap hit involved on the new contract. Here's a reference to what the compensation looked like last summer, and this year's should be very close to the same.
Status: Unrestricted Free Agent, made $650,000 this season (all salary numbers per NHLNumbers.com)
Prospects: The utility of enforcers in the NHL continues to diminish, particularly to a Predators team which focused so much on discipline and staying out of the penalty box. The poor special teams play we saw all season might prompt Nashville to invest Belak's roster spot in a role-player who can help the PP or PK.
Odds to return: Pretty low.
Status: Unrestricted Free Agent, made $750,000 this season.
Prospects: Endeared himself to coaches and fans by filling Greg Zanon's former role to perfection, often filling in on the Top Four and power play units when called upon due to injury.
Odds to return: Very good, David Poile mentioned a few weeks ago that he hopes to get Bouillon re-signed before July 1.
Status: Restricted Free Agent, made $650,000 this season.
Prospects: Seemed to fit in well upon coming over from Calgary at the Trade Deadline, and has potential as a depth forward who can fill multiple roles.
Odds to return: Pretty good - he should be signable for a reasonable, sub-$1 million salary.
Status: Unrestricted Free Agent, made $2 million this season.
Prospects: With the new two-year contract for Pekka Rinne, it's clear that the #1 job is taken in Nashville. Ellis, although a fan favorite (due in no small part to his banter on Twitter), is simply too good not to get a better opportunity elsewhere in the league. At age 30, he is in prime position to earn his NHL payday.
Odds to return: Slim and none, just wish him the best as he provides for his young family.
Status: Restricted Free Agent, made $525,000 at the NHL level this season (spent some time in AHL)
Prospects: What more could the Preds have asked him to do? While he needs to work on his mobility, Franson had a great season, particularly in 5-on-5 play where he piled up the points quicker than any other Nashville defenseman. Next year, we'll have to see if he can continue to do that against stiffer competition.
Odds to return: Excellent.
Status: Restricted Free Agent, made $3.15 million this season.
Prospects: Predators fans only got to see him for 6 games, but his puck-moving ability stood out on a team loaded with blueline talent. On a team desperate for improvement on the power play, he would seem to be a viable option.
Odds to return: Medium - he'll likely cost close to what Hamhuis will make, but can fill a role that Hammer can't.
Status: Unrestricted Free Agent, made $2.5 million this season.
Prospects: There was some talk that if the Preds went deep into the playoffs they might earn enough money to be able to afford a new contract with Hammer, but we all know how that worked out. On the free agency market, he may well top the $4 million mark, based on signings from last summer. Considering the talent coming up through the pipeline, I can't see the Predators matching that.
Odds to return: Low.
Status: Restricted Free Agent, made $620,000 this season.
Prospects: Had a breakout season at just the right time. The good news is, there's still upside here waiting to be tapped into.
Odds to return: If he doesn't, the peasants will storm 501 Broadway with pitchforks and torches.
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Hammer
I don’t know…maybe it’s me…but I feel like Hammer goes where Chris Mason goes.
Section303.com
I hate thinking about losing Ellis. No way around it, though. My priority list:
Hornqvist
Franson
Boyd
Grebeshkov
Cube
Hamhuis (only because of the cost)
……….
Belak.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
Belak- NO
Hornqvist- Without a doubt
Franson- Yes
Boyd- Yes
Grebeshkov- Without a doubt
Cube- Yes
Hamhuis- NO, but trade his rights to someone and get something out of him
Ellis- NO
Klein- TRADE
Horachek- FIRE
Section 326 is in the house!!!
Trade Hamhuis’ rights to the Caps.
I recall that Chris B. from here and some fans on Japers’ had worked out a trade to send Hammer to the Caps for some offensive help.
(Although given the Caps’ offense this playoff series, it’s not like there’s much help on that front.)
The proposals and the ensuing discussions were interesting reading.
Rocking the Red since 1975
how great was the signing of Cube
and i really like Grebs. Boyd is just what everyone says about him. insanely inconsistent.
gotta pay Horny now
Hornqvist is gonna cost more than what we’ve been paying, but I imagine the FO can get it done.
Buillion and Franson are the only other guys that the Preds have got to have. i’ld like to see Grebs, Ellis, and Boyd stick around, but I’m not getting my hopes up. Besides, I don’t think Boyd did too much to impress Trotz by looking at how he was scratched to make room for Horny. I’ld have liked to Spaling on the pine instead, but what do I know.
There’s more young guys coming next year, so I wouldn’t worry too much about this group of guys that’ll be moving elsewhere.
Can't stand the thought of Hammer not being on this team...
I’ve gotten used to the idea of Ellis going, but can’t get used to the idea of Hammer being gone.
Gotta keep…
- Horn-dog (obviously, note I do have a ptch fork in the shed)
- Boyd (dude’s been great)
- Franson (hell yeah)
- Grebs (we need this guy)
- Cube (yup, him too)
Horacheck – you know how on celebrity apprentice Donald Trump usually fires the project manager that loses? Maybe we could talk The Don into a “Celebrity Hockey Apprentice”….. “Pete, you’re fired”
by hockeydekefreak on Apr 27, 2010 1:39 PM EDT reply actions
As much as it makes me nauseous to let Hammer go...
how are we going to develop all the talent waiting in Milwaukee? Can’t we just get rid of Klein? Sell him to the highest bidder (or the lowest bidder, I’m not picky).
If we don’t lock up Hornqvist this summer and make serious in-roads in locking up Weber for next year, a pitchfork and some measley fire will be the least of Poile’s worries.
by TitanPredBearFan on Apr 27, 2010 1:48 PM EDT reply actions
I have a dream....
that they keep Ellis and Belak around as the new commentators for either the TV or Radio broadcast. That would be the most hilarious, most listened to/watched show around. They would syndicate that show all around North America. I can see/hear it now….
by TitanPredBearFan on Apr 27, 2010 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Ellis will definitely be a broadcaster some day!
by hockeydekefreak on Apr 27, 2010 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions
hopefully he finds his way back here
ya know, if he’s leaving
by Great Paperclip on Apr 27, 2010 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions
My priority list
Since I didn’t share it in the piece, I might as well here:
Hornqvist
Franson
Grebeshkov
Cube
Boyd
Hamhuis
Belak
More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.
What’s your rationale behind keeping Grebs over DH (I agree, btw)? Money? power play?
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
by Chris Burton on Apr 27, 2010 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Overall offensive ability
Power play and overall offensive ability. He can play Top 4 minutes against good opponents and create scoring opportunities. That’s a rare combination.
More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.
Add on, he knows how to pass...
and pass well. Hopefully he can teach the team a few tricks on that. Hammer is good, but we can stand to lose him. The Cube is playing just about his level at times.
Couldn't agree more
It’s better that we have room for next year and the year after. Some guy wearing #6 will be a RFA. Then #20.
Next year will likely be Arnott’s and Sully’s last year with the team. (I’d like to keep Sully) There needs to be a “Mission 16W” attitude in the locker room.
Screw the Kevin Klein extension.
by ExcellenceThroughGuesswork on Apr 28, 2010 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions
Do NOT want to see Ellis go.....
But I know it’s most likely a reality! Can’t blame him for wanting to get his
chance on the ice! I will be watching him any chance I get, regardless.
Horny is a must (I don’t have a pitchfork, but I sure as heck will get
one if they don’t sign him!); so are Cube & Greby. Like Boyd, Franson
okay, but wouldn’t be too upset if they left. Belak…is hilarious, but I just
don’t see us keeping him. Hammer…well, if they’d get rid of Klein, maybe
he wouldn’t seem so bad. And if Horacheck is our problem…then he
definitely needs to go, too! And TitanPredBearFan, I like your idea. I
hope when it’s his time to work the mike, that Dan does it in Nashville!
Admit it...
Even though most of us agree Hammer is headed out of here, you’re going to miss that hip check when it’s gone!!!
I know I am.
nothing was more exciting to me than watching him lay out some goons with his lethal hip check!
It was almost like he wanted to show us one last good one yesterday. I will never forget that hip check on Buff. Nobody does that better than the Hammer.
"Looks like Ellis used a pork chop to comb his hair after his haircut" (Tweet from Jordin Tootoo to Dan Ellis)
by hockeydekefreak on Apr 27, 2010 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions
You must be referring to the one a year he does. LOL!!!!
Section 326 is in the house!!!
I understand that Ellis and Hammer need to go, because they can/should earn more than we can/should pay them. Best of luck to them. Belak is simply not needed, so best of luck to him as well. Everybody else I say resign. Trotz made it pretty clear that this is the best Predator team he has ever coached. That’s a pretty ringing endorsment, so why not keep as many as possible?
"Get to the Choppa!"
Just once I’d like to hear a coach say “man, I can’t believe we actually made it to the playoffs with this pack of bums.”
Barry’s a very loyal and classy guy, I wouldn’t expect him to say throw anyone under the bus in this situation.
More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.
Thoughts
Keep Hornquist. Star potential.
Keep Bouillon. Bargain Dman. Played outstanding this season and has a few more left in him, I feel. Good hockey smarts and rarely out of position.
Keep Boyd. Fast, makes good passes, has a good sense of position. Will only get better I think with regular play and linemates he can grow with.
Keep Franson. The young guy had some problems, but got better as the season went along. Showed some speed occasionally. Has a great wrist shot. Not afraid to hit. Handles the puck reasonably well. Get him a skating coach.
Only keep Grebeshkov if he will sign for a reasonable paycheck, otherwise get our pick back. Not much of a chance to see what he could do, but when he did play, he looked good. Solid puck controller, makes good decisions.
Let the Hammer go. I was very disappointed with him this season, hipcheck notwithstanding. He has panicstick disorder. He did not show up for the playoffs. See Ya!
Farewell Ellis, it was nice to know ye. You are a funny guy. You had a great year as the number one guy, but no room or money for you now. Good Luck, just not against us.
Belak, Wade’s World was hilarious and so are you. Hope you enjoyed your career.
Even though he has a contract, I would like to say that I thought Klein improved greatly over the season and showed some real toughness. I was a Klein hater, but I now think that he should stay. He showed up in the playoffs with gritty play and wasn’t afraid to hit. I think his potential now eclipses Hamhuis’.
The real questions, though, are
Who are you willing to trade for a sharp shooter?
Will you welcome back Radulov?
Do we need to trade?
I’d like to see how Blake and the other kids we got in the AHL can do. Radulov? Maybe if Arnie retires, and the rest of the team wants him back. I would like his talent back. I’m sure that he wouldn’t be back until the 2011-12 season though, if so. He’d have to break the KHL contract and then avoid the Russian mafia! lol
I would shed no tears...
to see Arnott retire. He seemed retired for most of the season, and most of the playoffs.
Blake will be up for tryouts, for sure, can’t wait to see him. I think he is going to be an Admiral for most of next year.
On Radulov....
Didn’t Radulov have a 2 year contract with the KHL, which would end this season? And with the fact that most of the nation now knows how dis-functional the KHL has become with it’s fights, not to mention how bad they played in the Olympics, wouldn’t he think about leaving the KHL and return to the NHL where it was better for him than before?
Flame Alchemist VS Fullmetal Alchemist (anime TV show) has the same rivalry as the Predators VS Red Wings. They both wear the same colors: Blue VS Red.
Radulov's deal was for 3 years
One more to go…
More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.
by Dirk Hoag on Apr 27, 2010 11:41 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
On the free agents listed:
Francis Bouillon – Keep. The best part about him has been in the shoot-outs, due to the fact that we faced more shoot-outs than in the past.
Patric Hornqvist – Can I sub my pitchfork for a hockey stick if we don’t keep him?
Dan Ellis – He should test the waters first and see who gets him before we make a move, unless we are not ready to bring someone up from the farm to fill the role. He might have some trade value down the road in the future if we keep him.
Dustin Boyd – Keep. He can cover any part of the line, and might have more talents to be discover.
Dan Hamhuis – Not Sure. wouldn’t hurt to keep him if it was worth it.
Cody Franson – Keep. He can be one of the younger players to help out in the future.
Wade Belak – GONE!!! He might had filled in for Tootoo at times, but (and my dad can agree with me on this) not much use to the team if he has been scratched about every game.
Denis Grebeshkov – Keep. He can still be of some use to the team. the injury he took hurt things a bit, but if it doesn’t happen again next season, he might be of some help in the D-line.
Flame Alchemist VS Fullmetal Alchemist (anime TV show) has the same rivalry as the Predators VS Red Wings. They both wear the same colors: Blue VS Red.
Uhhh...Frances Boullion??...
and shoot-outs? He took one shot all year and missed badly and that was only because we had gotten down to our 11th man. Is this an alternate universe or did I miss something?
by TitanPredBearFan on Apr 27, 2010 8:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Next Year's Team
I would talk Sully and Arnott into retirement. Arnott’s Concussion and Sully lost his speed both are going to be 36. Trade Franson(he’s too slow) and O’Reilly. Sign Grebeshkov. Let Hamhuis walk. We need a two scorers and a big hitting defenseman.
As one of the oldest guys on the team...
Sully is still, by far, the fastest skater we have. He out-skates and out-hustles guys 15 years younger than him….no way does he need to retire. Arnie?? Now that’s a whole ’nuther story….
by TitanPredBearFan on Apr 28, 2010 9:19 AM EDT up reply actions
Trade Franson? You do realize he’s on track to be better than Weber or Suter on offense right?
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
by Chris Burton on Apr 28, 2010 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions
Agree about Arnott, but Sullivan just shouldn’t be a top line guy anymore. He still gives great effort and is fairly productive. Sullivan’s production level became much better once moved to the “second” line. Franson needs improvement on positioning, but he isn’t that far off plus he could be that “big hitting defenseman”. Colin Wilson’s continued improvement and “one scorer” is a more reasonable expectation from the Preds.
Hornqvist – No brainer. Pitch fork is at the ready.
Cube – Gotta sign him. The man is made of concrete, plus he seems to be able to play with any defensive partner without issue, unlike KleinHammer. He’ll be great with Blum and Ellis when they move up like he seemed to calm Franson down this year.
Franson – Sign him and send him with Hornqvist to train in the offseason. Hornqvist said last fall that working on his skating speed was what he did almost every day last offseason. Hell, send all the young guys with him. Can you imagine all of them making the same improvements that he did? Wow!!
Ellis – Say thanks and wish him the best as long as it is for an eastern conference team.
Grebeshkov – Sign him, but for less than the 3.5 he was making.
Boyd – Conflicted. He had some good moments and was solid with the puck. I see the potential, but don’t we have enough guys in Milwaukee who can fill his roll already?
Hamhuis – If we can’t sign him with a substantial home town discount (very unlikely), trade his rights for a pick if possible, otherwise , thanks, but see ya.
Belak – Sign him to the broadcast team and put him in the booth with Pete and Terry.
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