Nashville Predators trade captain Jason Arnott to New Jersey

by Dirk Hoag on Jun 19, 2010 3:22 PM EDT

Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has sent captain Jason Arnott to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for forward Matt Halischuk and New Jersey's second-round selection in the 2011 Entry Draft.

            Halischuk, 22 (6/1/88), split the 2009-10 season between New Jersey and Albany (AHL), posting a pair of points (1g-1a) in 20 NHL games and 22 points (11g-11a) in 32 AHL contests. In his rookie professional season of 2008-09 the Toronto, Ont., native amassed 29 points (14g-15a) in 47 games for Lowell, and also made his NHL debut with the Devils, notching one assist.

            A 5-11, 172-pound right wing, Halischuk scored the game-winning goal at 3:36 of overtime in the Gold Medal Game of the 2008 World Junior Championships, lifting Canada past Sweden, 3-2. He is also a former OHL Champion and Memorial Cup participant - he paced the OHL in goals during the 2008 postseason, and ranked fourth in points (20gp, 16g-16a), playing on a line with now-Predator forward Nick Spaling.

            The additional second-round pick gives Nashville multiple second rounders for the second time in three drafts. The Predators selected Zach Budish and Charles-Olivier Roussel with back-to-back picks (41^st and 42^nd overall) in last summer's Entry Draft.

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Moving Jason Arnott frees up $4.5 million in salary this season, which could conceivably open the door to either retaining RFA-to-be Denis Grebeshkov, or making another acquisition later on.

A prospect & a pick

The major value in this deal for Nashville is the second-round pick, which somewhat replaces the one sent to Edmonton in the Grebeshkov trade. Matt Halischuk has been injury prone for the last few seasons and was regarded recently over at In Lou We Trust as a falling, not a rising player.

Matt Halischuk

#16 / Right Wing / New Jersey Devils Nashville Predators

Height: 5-11

Weight: 185

Born: Jun 01, 1988

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	GTG	SOG	PCT
2009 - Matt Halischuk	20	1	1	2	-4	2	0	0	0	0	22	4.5

Per his scouting report...

Assets	Displays a mature two-way game with physicality and agitating qualities. Is also a natural leader and has a little offensive upside.
Flaws	His physical style may take its toll on his 5-11, 180-pound frame over time, so more strength is required. May be limited to a bottom-six winger role in the NHL.
Career Potential	Two-way winger.

I think we can all agree that the last thing the Nashville Predators need is another 3rd- or 4th-line winger. According to CapGeek, he's scheduled to make a base salary of $612,500 this season, but does have a two-way contract, so Milwaukee could be in his future.

A Captain Departs

This move certainly re-opens the debate about who should serve as the next captain of the Nashville Predators. Should it be Shea Weber? Ryan Suter? Expect more on that during training camp this fall.

Best of luck to Jason Arnott, though, who stepped into a leadership void in 2007 and led the Preds to an unexpected playoff berth in 2008. He was often criticized by local fans for a perceived lack of effort or leadership, but the one thing we've always heard about the Predators is that they have a solid locker room and a deep commitment to team play, which has to, in part, be credited to the team leadership.

Once again, Steve Sullivan reacts to the deal on Twitter: "Wow! Pesky Preds sure are busy today! Wishing the big man all the best in NJ. That sure caught me off guard."

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Comments

He will be missed...

Even though he was inconsistent at times, he was always a good locker room presence and a good all-around person. Best of luck to both Hammer and Arny at they continue on to greener pastures.

by Predfan14 on Jun 19, 2010 3:26 PM EDT reply actions

I like the trade

I don’t know much about Halischuk but I like this move. Frees up some cap space and Weber can step up as the captain now. I liked Arnott but he was hurt for a handful of games and MIA for a lot of them. I think it benefits the Preds in the long-run since they can probably give Hornqvist a raise now, re-sign Franson and sign a back-up goalie. Not sure how much cap space they’ll have to work with after those but hopefully it’s enough to pick up another forward.

by MyFriendCorey on Jun 19, 2010 3:26 PM EDT reply actions

What’s next?

On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
Twitter/Cycle Like the Sedins

by Chris Burton on Jun 19, 2010 3:30 PM EDT reply actions

so, guys having a fire sale?

honestly didn’t see that one coming. though this trade isn’t cringeworthy….as opposed to that Hamhuis-Parent thing….I am so sorry.

by puppetmasterp on Jun 19, 2010 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions

NOOOOOOO!

Not another FIRE SALE!! This better not be another one. Idk if I can survive as a fan if they do that again.

by flyalder on Jun 19, 2010 5:14 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

They need to move Dumont next.

by Jones36 on Jun 19, 2010 3:31 PM EDT reply actions

Two of my favorite players gone from the team

And we get a sack of crap in return.

This just makes my Saturday wonderful.

"Chicks who dig home runs aren't the ones who appeal to me. I think there's sexiness in infield hits because they require technique. I'd rather impress the chicks with my technique than with my brute strength. Then, every now and then, just to show I can do that, too, I might flirt a little by hitting one out." - Ichiro

by WhiteWinterHymnal on Jun 19, 2010 5:04 PM EDT reply actions

They were nice guys, no doubt. But if the Preds are going to make a legitimate run for it, they’re going to need scoring. To do that, we also need cap room. What we got in return as far as players go doesn’t really matter to me. It’s all about the $ at this point.

Arnott was probably going to lose his captaincy this year anyway.
Hamhuis wanted too much money and the Preds certainly aren’t weak defensively.

Now, Mr. Poile…you’ve completed half the mission. Go sign some damned offensive help…

by rusherman on Jun 19, 2010 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Clearing out the cap?

Arnott is a good player but at the the end of his career and took up the most cap space, that and you could tell he was half-assing it. He’s probably going to get his last year in with his Cup team before retiring.

That being said, now we can look forward to re-signing Horny and Weber (with a shiny new C on his jersey, hmm?) and the others we’d want to keep.

by DonBorvio on Jun 19, 2010 5:04 PM EDT reply actions