Teemu Laakso clears waivers, assigned to Milwaukee

by Dirk Hoag on Dec 2, 2011 12:12 PM EST in Nashville Predators News

Nashville Predators defenseman Teemu Laakso cleared waivers today, per TSN's Bob McKenzie, and it is likely that he will be assigned to the Milwaukee Admirals soon. UPDATE: Yup, he's gone.

With 162 games played for the Ads over the last 3 seasons, he should fit in seamlessly there and continue to be an asset to the organization. At the NHL level, Laakso struggled at times, and spent more time scrambling in the defensive zone compared to the rest of the team's defensemen.

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

If anything, this move speaks to the confidence that the Predators have in Roman Josi, who has seemed comfortable competing at the NHL level, after missing the opening weeks of the season due to a concussion suffered during training camp.

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Comments

This seems like a good move.

Give him more time to develop, and let Josi keep on keepin’ on.

Hands go uuppp..... AND THEY STAY THERE!
-nashvillepredators-

by davisca on Dec 2, 2011 1:53 PM EST reply actions

Josi seems to be playing well. I wont make a big guess on him until i see him play in person but so far seems to be handling himself well. My question is now what do we do with hillen?

by Shadow23 on Dec 2, 2011 6:01 PM EST reply actions

The hype for our young D guys dosnt seem t be everything we thought they would. but they are young and i think we gave ourselves this false impression that they would jump in and be just as good if not better then what we had which is setting them up for failure. In a year or two they will fine I am sure but for right now we just have to realize that they are young and will continue to get better and learn from guys like Suter and Weber and yes even Klein

by Shadow23 on Dec 2, 2011 6:06 PM EST reply actions

Yeah, I agree. Josi and Blum will be fine. Look at Suter and Weber’s first couple years. It’ll take them a couple years to settle in and become great.

by DonBorvio on Dec 2, 2011 6:16 PM EST up reply actions

We have to keep Suter and Weber though. I don’t even want to think about next season if we don’t.

by 29thWard on Dec 2, 2011 8:21 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, I think this is about Barry Trotz's dream

Think about Josi-Blum with a few years under their belts along with Weber-Suter

Then Ryan Ellis on the 3rd pair/PP specialist with someone like Ekholm after few years as well.

That would be a pretty ridiculous defense all playing in front of Rinne/Lindback.

by DonBorvio on Dec 2, 2011 9:00 PM EST up reply actions

Assuming that that is the plan in keeping Blum and Josi together and then Ellis up with someone else in a year or so maybe paired with Ek but i can see Laasko developing into a solid D guy. Also assuming that Weber Suter do get resigned and to longer term deals then I feel comfortable with the way they are shaping up right now. Yeah its going to be a bit bumpy but was anyone honestly expecting them to come in and just instantly be able to produce at the high level we all have hyped them up to be? It was a nice thought and wishful thinking but we all knew this would be a bit rough to transition into. But if Peks can get some rest and the D core realize that they have to keep trying to block stuff then let Peks do the rest and not have him try to do it all then we will be that solid hockey team we have been in the past on D

by Shadow23 on Dec 2, 2011 9:45 PM EST up reply actions

If we can score like we did last night, that’ll take some pressure off the D kids too. ;)

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

by Grizzledbear on Dec 2, 2011 10:32 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

exactly. just need to play some solid d and not let pekka do ALL the work then I think we will be just fine

by Shadow23 on Dec 2, 2011 10:36 PM EST up reply actions

Uhhhhh…. If we play like that, we’ll join Columbus and Anaheim. Let’s get it balanced and NOT let in 5 goals, instead.

R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
"Breathe deep. Think of smiley puppies"--@FakeLindback

by CAustin on Dec 3, 2011 9:40 AM EST up reply actions

Scoring goals in bunches has done wonders for the Panthers and Leafs this season…the Ducks and Jackets, on the other hand, are both bottom dwellers in goal scoring this season. (So much education I give CA, all for no monthly bill!). ;)

The point being, every miscue by our D or goalie wouldn’t be so magnified if we had more offensive output.

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

by Grizzledbear on Dec 3, 2011 1:39 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

OR...

They could win a game without having to score 6 goals if they could prevent goals. And then every miscue by the forwards wouldn’t be magnified because they wouldn’t be down 3 goals by the middle of the 2nd period.

If defense is this roster’s strength, then it behooves them to actually play defense. There is a balance to be struck in between the two extremes.

R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
"Breathe deep. Think of smiley puppies"--@FakeLindback

by CAustin on Dec 3, 2011 2:49 PM EST up reply actions