Nashville Predators sign free agent center Matthew Lombardi

by Chris Burton on Jul 2, 2010 5:38 PM EDT

Against all stereotypes and the expectations of many a fan, David Poile has signed a free agent forward today. Former Phoenix Coyote Matthew Lombardi inked with Nashville for 3 years, and $3.5 million. At first glance, it's a great signing - Lombardi is fast, can score, and play defense. He'll be a great plug-in until Colin Wilson is ready for top-line work. More analysis later, but for now, I'm pretty pleased. Poile has a) spent money and b) addressed a need.

Darren Pang broke the deal on Twitter, and if you have any doubt about what a solid signing this is for Nashville, just check out the reaction in Phoenix.

Matthew Lombardi

#15 / Center / Phoenix Coyotes

Height: 5-11

Weight: 195

Born: Mar 18, 1982

Here's the basic scouting report:

Assets	Owns excellent penalty-killing skills. Makes his linemates better around him because of deft setup ability and great speed. Is an accomplished face-off man.
Flaws	Not very big, he needs to gain more strength. Will also need to continue upgrading his level of consistency in order to elevate his game even more in the NHL.
Career Potential	Speedy two-way center.

Lombardi was a developing young player in the Calgary organization before getting shipped to Phoenix in the Olli Jokinen deal from March, 2009. He went on to have his best career season with the Coyotes, with 19 goals and 34 assists. While not a flashy offensive performer, he's a classic two-way player that Barry Trotz should be able to plug right into this lineup.

With a center depth chart that reads Lombardi, Legwand, Wilson & Goc (in whatever order you like), the Predators will field a deep, competitive lineup once again. As USA Today's Kevin Allen just noted on Twitter:

Combine two Poile moves: he traded Jason Arnott for a prospect, 2nd rounder and Matthew Lombardi. Plus, he saved $1 million off his budget.

Finally, taking a look back at our free agency cheat sheet, it appears David Poile took my advice...or something.

This comes from the Nashville Predators:

Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has signed free-agent forward Matthew Lombardi to a three-year, $10.5 million contract. The Montreal, Quebec native will make $3.5 million in 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13.

Lombardi, 28 (3/18/82), ranked second on the Phoenix Coyotes in both points and assists with career-highs in each category (19g-34a-53pts) in 2009-10, then paced the team in points during the 2010 playoffs (1g-5a-6pts, 7gp). The 5-11, 195-pound center has posted between 14 and 20 goals for the Coyotes and Calgary Flames in each of the past four seasons, averaging 45 points per campaign in the process. In 441 NHL contests since 2003, he has amassed 236 points (89g-147a). Lombardi has appeared in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in five of his six NHL seasons, most notably posting six points (1g-5a) in 13 games in helping Calgary to Game Seven of the 2004 Cup Finals.

Drafted 215^th overall (seventh round) by Edmonton in the 2000 Entry Draft, then 90^th overall (third round) by Calgary when he re-entered the draft in 2002, Lombardi has represented Canada at the World Championships on two occasions, ranking fourth the tournament in scoring (6g-6a-12pts, 9gp) en route to a gold medal at the 2007 tournament, and earning silver in 2009. The four-year Victoriaville Tigres from 1998-2002 posting 257 points (109g-148a) in 250 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League games, helping the team reach the finals of the 2002 Memorial Cup. Named to the Memorial Cup All-Star Team, Lombardi put up a tournament-high nine points (2g-7a) in six games.

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Comments

Wow

Just when I was losing faith.

Great signing!

Christie kicks it high and short...Gonna be fielded by Lorenzo Neal at the 25...He dishes it back to Wycheck...He throws it across the field to Dyson...

www.manningface.com

by Michaeltastic on Jul 2, 2010 5:42 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Hell Yeah!

Didn’t think we’d go for a center, but I’m happy. Lombardi can definitely play our system, and seems to have great potential to grow. Not too much $$$ either. This is great news.

I wonder if O’Reilly is on the move now? Isn’t his contract is one-way this year?

"Get to the Choppa!"

by PredHead on Jul 2, 2010 5:48 PM EDT reply actions

i hope not.

O’Reilly has great potential. i think they’ll stick wilson back on the wing for now, or put lombardi there to help wilson’s transition back to center, and give O’Reilly the 2nd line duty in the preseason to see how he does.

by flyalder on Jul 2, 2010 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Wowee zowee

Way to go Dave!

by Lil cutie on Jul 2, 2010 5:49 PM EDT reply actions

so, to recap

David Poile has acquired Ryan Parent and Sergei Kostitysn for free, and traded an old, broken Jason Arnott for a 2nd round pick, prospect, and Matt Lombardi. I like it.

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

by Chris Burton on Jul 2, 2010 5:55 PM EDT reply actions

"Plus, he saved $1 million off his budget."

classic Poile.

by flyalder on Jul 2, 2010 6:01 PM EDT reply actions

Great signing …I think this ends O’Reilly’s tenure here. Someone has to go. There is a logjam at center. Goc plays his role better with more options for the team. Anyone think Dumont will go?

by roseyc on Jul 2, 2010 6:02 PM EDT reply actions

I bet O’Reilly leaves. Dumont plays a position we’re not as deep at, and is by far the team’s best passer. Losing that would make our power play even worse. (Yeah, hard to imagine)

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

by Chris Burton on Jul 2, 2010 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Best Passer?

If JP was our best passer then he wouldn’t be getting limited TOI.

Trade JP, Santo, Sulzer and picks for minimal contracted players in return. Use the money on Kostitsyn or Stempniak as well as Horny and Franson.

Opening night lineup in my little dream world.
Erat/Bardo/Horny
Sully/Wilson/Legs
Kostitsyn or Stempniak/Goc/Ward
Smithson/Spaling/Toots
scratched: Belak and O’Reilly

Weber/Klein
Suter/Franson
Cube/Laasko or Josi or Blum

by wrandsw on Jul 2, 2010 10:26 PM EDT up reply actions

http://twitter.com/%40JSportsnet

Dumont and O’Reilly for Gagne (wishful thinking)

by blarg on Jul 2, 2010 6:05 PM EDT reply actions

good signing

fits our profile, 2 way player, plays hard, bigger than many of our forwards though still not big. probably much like wardo( w/ a little more reputation) who flourished in our system. probably will play all 4 lines and both special teams.

by predswilrule on Jul 2, 2010 6:11 PM EDT reply actions

The Bard

I figure, why wait to come up with nick names?

NHL 10 for XBox 360 is like paying $60 for bipolar disorder...
Go Predators!!!

by Poiju on Jul 2, 2010 6:14 PM EDT reply actions

Little Lomby

by Lil cutie on Jul 2, 2010 6:23 PM EDT up reply actions

The Trophy

If I hit a hole-in-one on this grand slam the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate.

by jasonkylebates on Jul 4, 2010 3:25 AM EDT up reply actions

Oh man...

…I’m liking the way our roster is shaping up.

by rusherman on Jul 2, 2010 6:41 PM EDT reply actions

YES!!!

Poile, i take back some of the bad thoughts i had about you yesterday! hope that ’ BARDY’ works out. now find a replacment for JP and we may have a really good year.

by bluegrassbaby on Jul 2, 2010 7:02 PM EDT reply actions

A CENTER!!!

Thaaaaank you, Poile!

by emzee on Jul 2, 2010 8:15 PM EDT reply actions

Skeptical, but...

I think he’s an upgrade over Arnott with all he does. If he has similar numbers as he had in PHX, that’ll be great. If one of Klasen, Kostytsin, Geoffrion, Jonas, etc., work out on the wing, the offense should be better. Hopefully the PP will be completely retooled in this process, too. Now get 27 signed!

Glad they made an aggressive move, and one that seems to make some sense.

by atty123 on Jul 2, 2010 9:35 PM EDT reply actions

Like it

Whew!
Yay!

by cisar on Jul 2, 2010 11:48 PM EDT reply actions

Glad to see some optimism on this board for a change!

Poile is the master…there is no doubt.

Legwand’s role is still misunderstood by most Pred fans..he’s a shut down specialist and one of the best in the league. Do we need a few more goals from him? Yeah it’d be nice, but now that we are developing/obtaining more offensively-gifted centers he can play to his strengths.

For the third time in 2 weeks…JP has a no trade clause, he likes it in Nashville (wants to retire here) and he’s not going anywhere this season. Let it go people…just let it go

Matthew Lombardi!!! Boom!!! Talent signed in Nashville?? Noooo, you don’t say….

Oh yeah, did I mention Poile is the master???

Go Preds!

by TitanPredBearFan on Jul 3, 2010 9:03 AM EDT reply actions

Legwand's Role Not Misunderstood

Shutdown specialists get paid Smithson money, not Legwand money. He’s vastly overpaid for what he does which is why the coaching staff and GM have called him out on several occasions for his production. If we’re misunderstanding what expectations should be then so is the Preds coaching staff. It’s great that he is a good, shutdown center, but he needs to produce the way he did in the playoffs. THAT’S the Legwand people expected to see when he signed that contract.

by Predaceous on Jul 3, 2010 9:40 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

DP even said...

If Leggy has less than 20 goals this season, he’s NOT going to be happy. I take that as he’d be traded next off-season.

But yes, I was hoping for a talented forward and we got one. Lombardi’s speed will be a nice upgrade for the breakaways that we can’t seem to complete sometimes. I saw that vs. Chicago in the playoffs. The defender would simply be too fast and get in front of the breakaway. Plus, he has Arnott ‘09 type numbers and has upside there, meaning he’s probably going to get better, for less.

Now the core of the team is youthful. And that’s great going forward.

by DonBorvio on Jul 3, 2010 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions

playoffs anyone

Who led the predators in scoring in the playoffs???? Oh yea, that’s right

by jjcarlso on Jul 3, 2010 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions

predaceous is right

legwand , while a good shut down center, is capable of what we saw in the playoffs and why he is paid 4+ mil. we NEED 20 goals out of him, especially if he plays any time at all w/ any top 6 guys( which he usually does). and as far as JP is concerned, if you recall at seasons end he voiced some displeasure w/ his diminished role and was basically told in the papers by trotz he didnt see that changing. hes enough of a pro to not make a stink, but we have added some offensive talent as well so he may be willing to waive his NTC to get a better chance elsewhere. may not happen, but you make it sound ridiculous when it actually makes some sense for the preds and JP.

by predswilrule on Jul 3, 2010 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Amen!

The only question is whether or not play-off Legwand shows up for the regular season. If he does, he’ll be worth what we pay him. If not, he’ll be a waste of money again.

Of course, the same can be said for Erat…

by MaASPredFan on Jul 3, 2010 12:45 PM EDT reply actions

Legwand. Why did this post become a legwand bashing thred?

if he gets a winger that can help him in the offensive zone and not one as useful and a flagpole, see Smithson, he can do a lot more, see playoffs when he played with Dumont.

Also, if you look at the teams points leaders, Legwand had more points than any other player in a defense first role. Keep in mind he accomplished that while shutting down the other teams top offensive line any time Trotz could match his lines the way he wants.

payroll breakdown: Leggy’s 4.5m= 2.5m for the teams best defensive forward, 2m for number 6 offensive forward.

by flyalder on Jul 3, 2010 3:18 PM EDT reply actions

I certainly wasn’t trying to bash Legs. The role he has been asked to play over the last few seasons he has excelled at. We have other guys that can play a shutdown defensive center role i.e. Smithson, Spaling, Goc. Speaking of Goc pretty confident that he was asked to play that type of role when he was in SJ and then when he was put in a more offensive role in 09-10 he flourished. Why can’t Legs do the same thing without having to leave Nashville? IMO that would come with a move to wing and with the Bard signed now is the time to try it.

As for JP, Predacous said it best. He was quite vocal (for a guy that usually says few words, commenting publicly is saying something) about being unhappy in May. If you were to cruise on over to broadstreethockey (Flyers version of ontheforecheck) you would find many comments about how much Gagne loves Philly; however, all these players have pride and want to feel needed. One would assume JP is the same way.

Saying that what about a three team deal between the Preds, Canucks, and Sabres?
Sabres get Bieksa, JP, and Sulzer (Sabres need another dman.)
Canucks get Santo or Kostitsyn, a forward from Buffalo, a 2nd from Nash, and a 4th from Buf (Canucks need to get rid of a dman, and gain some cap room.)
Preds get Raymond and a 4th from Van. (We get rid of a $4 mil bottom 6 forward and gain a true scoring LW.)
Imagine a future top line of Raymond/Wilson/Horny.

by wrandsw on Jul 3, 2010 5:18 PM EDT reply actions