Teemu Laakso put on waivers by Nashville Predators according to report

by Dirk Hoag on Dec 1, 2011 1:38 PM EST in Nashville Predators News

Renauld Lavoie of RDS advises today via Twitter that the Nashville Predators have placed defenseman Teemu Laakso on waivers. While he has been on injured reserve lately recovering from having a cyst removed from his back, the rise of Roman Josi from the Milwaukee Admirals has apparently given the Preds confidence that Laakso's services won't be needed here.

If he clears waivers (we'll know shortly after 11:00 a.m. Central tomorrow) he can be assigned to Milwaukee, otherwise he'll go to the team which claims him. He's currently on a one-year, two-way contract which pays $675,000/$105,000.

Teemu Laakso

#2 / Defenseman / Nashville Predators

Height: 6-1

Weight: 215

Born: Aug 27, 1987

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG		SOG	PCT
2011 - Teemu Laakso	9	0	0	0	-1	8	0	0	0		4	0

Laakso has been in the Preds system since the 2008-9 season, spending almost all of that time with the Milwaukee Admirals but making occasional appearances with the Predators (17 games over the last three seasons). Given the state of the development pipeline, this is merely a case of him getting squeezed out by competition.

In many ways, this situation mirrors that of last spring, when after just two games as a Predator, Jonathon Blum had earned the confidence of the coaching staff and front office to the point that they traded Alexander Sulzer to Florida, even though that left the Preds with just 20 guys on the Active Roster.

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Can he not be traded because he's on IR?

If so, why would you put him on waivers now? Why not just wait until he’s healed and see if you can get something for him a la Sulzer?

by Seth Dean on Dec 1, 2011 1:49 PM EST reply actions

Because they don’t want to get rid of him.

by Patten on Dec 1, 2011 1:59 PM EST up reply actions

In the end, the Preds didn’t get anything for Sulzer anyway. It would have been a 7th-round pick if Sulzer signed a new deal with Florida, which didn’t happen.

Bottom line, Laakso has almost no value on the trade market. Might as well try to keep him with the Admirals and backfill for Josi.

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by Dirk Hoag on Dec 1, 2011 2:52 PM EST up reply actions

I like(d) Sulzer more than Laasko, tbqh.

by DonBorvio on Dec 1, 2011 3:47 PM EST up reply actions

Here is my beef with drafting all these defensemen. You hear Poile talk about “building assets within the organization.” Making it sound like these assets can be used in trades for really fabulous players. But in the end, these assets are worth nothing. Both Sulzer and Laakso were 3rd round picks. We take years developing them and when it’s time to cash in on these assets, what do we get in return? Absolutely nothing. So why not take some risks and draft some forwards in the earlier rounds?

The harsh reality is…unless a player has a proven ability to effectively play at the NHL level, they’re not worth much. Ryan Ellis included.

by Griz-ATL on Dec 1, 2011 3:58 PM EST up reply actions

I would disagree to the extent that having good minor-league players is important to an organization, to help support the prospects who are on the prime-time NHL track, but you’re right, we haven’t seen much of the “we’ll develop an asset and trade it to fill a need” as is so often talked about.

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by Dirk Hoag on Dec 1, 2011 5:05 PM EST up reply actions

Well said, Griz-ATL.

Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!

by Grizzledbear on Dec 1, 2011 5:34 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Hopefully he will clear waivers and be able to continue his development in Milwaukee for the rest of the year. And compete for a roster spot next year. Looks like he is a RFA after this year so we still retain his rights.

by Griz-ATL on Dec 1, 2011 2:01 PM EST reply actions

Gotcha

I think I just figured he would get claimed. Our logjam at D is well-known. Matt Walker is on re-entry so I guess teams would look at him for 1/2 price first.

by Seth Dean on Dec 1, 2011 2:05 PM EST reply actions

He ain't worth much.

Much ado about nothing.

The Outlaw is here el permanento.

Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is where the Stanley Cup can be found.

by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Dec 1, 2011 2:41 PM EST reply actions

Looks like the Preds found their 7 defensemen.

I wonder if Bouillon sits when he gets healthy. The 6 out there look pretty good and are playing much better than when Bouillon was paired with Klein.

by GoPreds00 on Dec 1, 2011 3:37 PM EST reply actions