Nashville Predators trade Mike Santorelli to Florida

by Dirk Hoag on Aug 5, 2010 1:10 PM EDT

Mike Santorelli has had an up-and-down history as a Nashville Predators prospect, but that time has come to an end with a trade to the Florida Panthers for a conditional 5th-round draft pick today.

The depth chart at center in Nashville simply doesn't afford an opportunity any more for Santorelli, who can get a fresh start with the Panthers (if the Preds had wanted to send him back to Milwaukee, he would have had to clear waivers this fall). One can bet that Mike Santos, who left the Preds to become Florida's assistant general manager, is a believer in Santorelli's potential. An experiment last fall which saw him play on the wing didn't pan out, as he notched two goals and one assist in 25 NHL games. At the AHL level, however, he's been a point-per-game player for the last two years.

Follow after the jump for the team's press release...

Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has acquired a conditional fifth-round pick in the 2011 Entry Draft in exchange for restricted free agent forward Michael Santorelli.

The Predators now have nine selections in next summer's Entry Draft at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn. In addition to Florida's pick, and seven picks of its own, Nashville acquired a second-round pick from New Jersey in June.

Santorelli was a sixth-round choice of the Predators (178^th overall) in the 2004 Draft.

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Well the picture is slightly clearer…waiting for Horny or Weber news. :P Or what about that Kariya rumor? I guess that was bunk.

by DonBorvio on Aug 5, 2010 1:48 PM EDT reply actions

I’ve been hearing since before the draft that Kariya was going back to Anaheim. I’m still hearing that. I hate losing Santorelli, but there really wasn’t any room for him. I hope we don’t end up regretting this move. I always thought he was going to be a great player when used properly.

by Predaceous on Aug 5, 2010 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions

What can you do? They are pretty stacked up right now. Anyone else you have rather moved? Well, besides moving someone like Belak to a staff role. ;)

As for the Kariya thing, AJ posted a whole thing about someone he knew in the organization, etc. that said the Preds were close to a deal with Kariya. Just wondering if that went anywhere, or just got pushed aside by an Anaheim deal?

by DonBorvio on Aug 5, 2010 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions

KARIYA

seems interested in playing w/ selanne in either ANA or the other rumor in pittsburg. both makes waaaaay more sense than here

by predswilrule on Aug 5, 2010 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions

I feel a lot better about this than the Peverley situation. Santo got to play alongside good linemates in Nashville, but just couldn’t make an impact. If he succeeds with Florida, good for him.

On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators. Catch me on Twitter at @Forechecker.

by Dirk Hoag on Aug 5, 2010 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions

I disagree kindof...

It’s always hard to tell, but Peverley had tons of ice time with quality guys and he couldn’t do anything. Just like Santorelli. I think Santorelli is gonna go to Florida and light it up, and expose the crappy system Trotz employs.

by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Aug 5, 2010 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions

or expose the generally weak defense throughout the eastern conference.

"It's gonna be fun on the bun."

by flyalder on Aug 5, 2010 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Not a bad point...

but to the tune of 30-50 pts a year? I don’t think so as opposed to 3 in 25 for us…

by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Aug 6, 2010 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Some guys do prosper in different environments. I’m confident that Santorelli got a fair shot here, he just didn’t show any reason to keep him ahead of Cal O’Reilly or others.

On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators. Catch me on Twitter at @Forechecker.

by Dirk Hoag on Aug 5, 2010 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions

o'reilly

may not be far behind as well

by predswilrule on Aug 5, 2010 8:04 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd like...

to see O’reilly be given a shot this year…I think he could pull a HornQ…

by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Aug 6, 2010 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions

You're right...

when we waived Peverley I said the same thing…we have 10 Peverleys so why keep this one? Same thing with Santorelli this year.

by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Aug 6, 2010 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Crappy System?

You mean the same crappy system that made the Preds one of only 4 teams to make the playoffs 4 years in a row, a 40 win team and gain 100 points in the toughest division in hockey? You mean that crappy system? But then again, no sense in rehashing old news since everyone else on this board knows about it….well except for you of course. :\

by TitanPredBearFan on Aug 6, 2010 9:19 AM EDT up reply actions

Yes...

that’s the same crappy system that’s gotten us a first round boot 4 out of 4 times (and 5 outta 6)…the same crappy system that’s gotten us the boot despite winning 40 games and gaining 100 points in the toughest division in hockey…the same crappy system that sent “Peverly the Useless” packing for Atlanta then within that same week he’s practically and all star…the same crappy system that couldn’t score a PP goal in the final 9 games of the season and then scored one in game 6 of the playoffs after we’d already blown our opportunity to win the series. And then he’s gonna keep the same assistant coaches around to flub up the PP and PK next year? Yes, that is the crappy system I’m talking about. But then again, no sense in rehashing old news since everyone else on this board has seen us flop like fish-outta-water in the playoffs…well except for you of course.:\

How long are you gonna tolerate mediocrity in the playoffs? If we’re gonna win, we need to open things up offensively for the offensive players. We’ve got good young talent but the system is stifling and that’s why we don’t score.

by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Aug 6, 2010 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions

With that said...

I would like for Trotz to be the one to initiate such changes in the system…but I just don’t see it happening. He isn’t fluid enough to adapt to the skill on the team…that’s just what I’m thinking. He’s a terrific coach when it comes to getting us to the playoffs, but I don’t think he has the “je ne sais quoi” to get us deep in the playoffs. Remember what people were saying this year…we’ve got the makeup to go deep in the playoffs this year, unlike years in the past…

And all that got us was another 1st round exit. And I don’t want to hear about excuses…bad luck goal in game 6 off Kane’s foot…a captain that “Isnott”, HornQ was injured, Hossa should’ve been ejected and then he wouldn’t have scored the GWG, etc.

I’m just saying it may be time to mix things up a little in the coaching ranks…

by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Aug 6, 2010 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions

good move for all

We seem to have plenty of depth and this will make room for others to show what they have.

Plus it gives him another chance to make it in the big leagues. It’s good form on the part of the Preds.

Glad we at least got something in return rather than waiving midseason and getting nothing.

by BradHerman on Aug 5, 2010 2:56 PM EDT reply actions

weird...

if this move had been made before july 2, preds’ boards would be exploding with “there goes another peverly!!” or “fire trotz/poile NOW!!! they’re incompetent!!!”

it’s amazing how the perception and outlook has changed for many preds’ fans since poile has made a few moves this summer! it has allowed us to look much more objectively than in the past. i mean, when ryan jones (a great example of near futility) was given away for grebeshkov, so many were up in arms. santorelli, imo, is a lot better player than jones, and nobody seems to care one bit. i love the new optimism. go preds!

by dnorm4 on Aug 5, 2010 4:24 PM EDT reply actions

I think it has more to do with the fact that it was a trade rather than a waiver. We got nothing for Peverly and Jones, we got something for Santo. I doubt the reaction would have been that harsh earlier in the summer.

by Predaceous on Aug 5, 2010 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Good luck Santo

I hope he does well in FLA. I didn’t really see much to get excited about except for a few straight ahead highspeed shootout goals. I don’t think he would have made the squad coming out of training camp. Good to get something in return even if it is just a 5th round pick.

by jerseypredsfan on Aug 5, 2010 8:01 PM EDT reply actions

5th rounder

so the Preds traded a depth guy who may or may not have made the roster. they took a 6th round pick and turned it into a 5th round pick. sounds like a good deal to me.

TN Sports fan in Hoosier Country....

by Evanbio on Aug 6, 2010 7:18 AM EDT reply actions