Nashville Predators sign O'Reilly, Spaling, Halischuk & Mueller

by Dirk Hoag on Jul 7, 2011 4:30 PM EDT in Nashville Predators News

David Poile has defused at least some of the RFA Offer Sheet issue by signing four of his restricted free agents to new contracts today, including Nick Spaling, Cal O`Reilly, Matt Halischuk, and Chris Mueller. With Linus Klasen back in Sweden and Andreas Thuresson traded to New York, that leaves Sergei Kostitsyn as the major open question right now.

At $1 million for Spaling, $1.05 million for O`Reilly, and $600K for Halischuk (all one-way) these are certainly affordable deals to flesh out the forward ranks and leave money available for other free agents or trade targets.

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

From the Nashville Predators:

Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has signed forwards Matt Halischuk and Nick Spaling to two-year contracts, and forwards Chris Mueller and Cal O'Reilly to one-year deals. Halischuk's contract is worth $1.425 million, paying him $600,000 in 2011-12 and $825,000 in 2012-13 while Spaling's contract is worth $2.1 million, paying him $1 million in 2011-12 and $1.1 million in 2012-13. O'Reilly's contract will see him earn $1.05 million in 2011-12 and Mueller's two-way contract will see him paid $550,000 at the NHL level and $65,000 at the AHL level.

Halischuk, 23 (6/1/88), led Nashville rookies in points (4g-8a-12pts) making his team debut on Jan. 16, 2011 at Chicago and playing 27 of the team's final 38 regular-season games. The Toronto, Ont., native also suited up for all 12 of Nashville's 2011 Stanley Cup Playoff contests, recording a pair of goals, one of which ended the longest game in Predators franchise history at 14:51 of double-overtime of Nashville's 2011 Western Conference Semifinal Game Two at Vancouver. The 6-0, 185-pound right wing also ranked fifth on the 2010-11 Milwaukee Admirals in points per game (.62; 11g-12a-23pts in 37gp) and tied for third in game-winning goals (3). Halischuk was acquired from New Jersey along with a second-round selection in the 2011 Entry Draft (Magnus Hellberg) for forward Jason Arnott on June 19, 2010.

Spaling, 22 (9/19/88), spent his first full season at the NHL level in 2010-11, posting 14 points (8g-6a) in 74 games; the Predators were a perfect 11-0-0 when he registered a point. The Drayton, Ont., native also posted six points (2g-4a) during the Predators 2011 playoff run, scoring two goals, including the series-clinching goal in Nashville's Western Conference Quarterfinal series vs. Anaheim, and setting up both Jerred Smithson's overtime goal - the first in the franchise's playoff history - in a Game Five victory at Anaheim, and Halischuk's goal in the double-OT victory in Game Two of the Western Conference Semifinals at Vancouver. Nashville's third choice, 58th overall (second round), in the 2007 Entry Draft, ranked second among Nashville forwards in average shorthanded ice time (2:40), helping the penalty kill finish with the League's fifth-best mark (84.9 percent). The 6-1, 198-pound forward spent three seasons as a teammate of Halischuk with the Kitchener Rangers (2006-09), winning the 2008 OHL Championship and reaching the 2008 Memorial Cup Final.

O'Reilly, 24 (9/30/86), ranked second on the Predators in points (6g-12a-18pts) in 38 games upon sustaining an injury on Jan. 2, 2011 that cost him the remainder of the 2010-11 season. The 6-0, 188-pound center posted a pair of five-game point streaks in his first 27 games of last season (Oct. 30-Nov. 11 and Nov. 30-Dec. 8), helping surpass his previous career total of 16 points (5g-11a) in 42 NHL contests in 2008-09 and 2009-10. The Varna, Ont., native also averaged 16:54 of ice time in 2010-11, more than 3:30 above his career average entering the season (13:21). Nashville's fourth choice, 150th overall (fifth round) in the 2005 Entry Draft played in back-to-back AHL All-Star Games in 2009 and 2010, and finished in the top three in the AHL in assists in both the 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons.

Mueller, 25 (3/6/86), played 15 games in two stints with the Predators (0g-3a-3pts) in 2010-11, while also leading Milwaukee Admirals (AHL) in points (24g-26a-50pts) and goals. The West Seneca, N.Y., also ranked third in the AHL in shorthanded goals (4), and tied for the Admirals team lead in game-winning goals (5) in his third professional season. Mueller was signed as a free agent by the Predators on December 27, 2010, and made his NHL debut the following night vs. Dallas. The 5-11, 180-pound right wing posted 104 points (42g-62a) and 141 penalty minutes in 166 games (missing just four contests total) with Michigan State University from 2004-08, serving as an alternate captain during his junior and senior seasons and helping the Spartans win the 2007 NCAA National Championship.

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Comments

Interested to see your takes on these

Seems that Halischuk’s number is right on and that Spaling and O’Reilly are either right on or just slightly overpaid, but not to the point where Chicago’s RFA mess-ups got overpaid. They may not be overpaid at all, since I admittedly don’t know enough about these guys to accurately judge whether they’re worth $1M each.

Thoughts?

by J.J. from Kansas on Jul 7, 2011 4:34 PM EDT reply actions

It’s hard to call anyone who’s not completely useless an overpay at $1 million these days.

Spaling’s a decent PK/checker who’s still young, so might develop into more of a 2-way player.
O’Reilly has the potential to play an offensive specialist role. I know of the current Preds centers, he’s probably the guy I’d like most to see work the PP.
Halischuk’s a 4th-line plugger, at $600K you can’t go wrong.

Managing Editor of On the Forecheck, SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators, and HockeyGearHQ, a site devoted to news, reviews, and deals on hockey equipment and accessories. Catch me on Twitter, or join OTF on Facebook!

by Dirk Hoag on Jul 7, 2011 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions

You're right

Just seems weird that they’d sign for very decently-sized contracts the day before it would be decided whether they would become UFAs. Seems that it would take larger chunks to get them to commit beforehand.

Of course, lots of roster holes have been filled to this point and it may have been worth it just to hammer down a job before they had to find themselves looking for work in Russia.

It could also be that there’s no real case to make them UFAs, they know this, and the last thing they want to do is make the team that would still own their rights angry with them.

by J.J. from Kansas on Jul 7, 2011 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Joshua Cooper suggested that it could indicate the team wasn’t confident, rather than the players. But if these deals really are as reasonable as they seem to me (this is not my strong suit), I read it as either they really wanted to play here or they didn’t think their case was very strong.

Goaleez R weerd.
Part Predator, part Lightning.

by CAustin on Jul 7, 2011 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Decent analysis, Dirk

But I see a whole lot more upside to Spaling—definitely moreso than O’Rielly….

by turd-ferguson on Jul 7, 2011 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions

O'Reilly was looking pretty good before the injury

I think he was even tied for the team lead in points when he went down.

"I don't want to get into a he said, she said with the refs...I'm the he."

—Chris Pronger

by Marcus Newman on Jul 7, 2011 5:37 PM EDT up reply actions

I do think Spaling has a lot of potential though. He is a big body and can skate.

"I don't want to get into a he said, she said with the refs...I'm the he."

—Chris Pronger

by Marcus Newman on Jul 7, 2011 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions

lets not get carried away

he had 6 points in the 24 games leading into the injury and was pointless in the last 11 of those. but yea, he had a hot start to the year

by sefskillz on Jul 7, 2011 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions

and a lot of his points was becasuse of Sully scoring early and when Sully cooled off so did O’Reilly

by roseyc on Jul 8, 2011 12:01 AM EDT up reply actions

Upside? Maybe

Spaling’s young, so there’s hope. But last year he was a pure checker, with almost zero offensive contribution.

by Dirk Hoag on Jul 7, 2011 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Although towards the end of the year he started to play better offensively.

And I don’t think defuse is a word. I think its diffuse.

The truth is always the right answer....

by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Jul 7, 2011 6:09 PM EDT up reply actions

dirk wins this round

diffuse is to spread out. defuse is to make less dangerous

by sefskillz on Jul 7, 2011 6:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Indeed, I stand corrected.

The truth is always the right answer....

by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Jul 7, 2011 6:21 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree, Spals got better as the season went on while Cal did almost zilch in his 15 games or so prior to his injury.

by Grizzledbear on Jul 7, 2011 8:01 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Good news, everyone!

Well, better than what it could have been. At least now we know GMDP’s been busy negotiating with these players the last few days. Nice contract terms and cost considering the circumstances. SK74 is the remaining question mark now, along with the purported acquisition of a Top 6 Forward™.

by OddManRush on Jul 7, 2011 4:40 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Great picture

Perhaps GMDP is using the what if machine to predict possible Free Agency scenarios?

by Predneck on Jul 7, 2011 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

That’s something I hadn’t thought of.

“So that’s what would have happened if I drafted Pavel Datsyuk.”

by OddManRush on Jul 7, 2011 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions

maybe they will reveal the signing of Weber at the Skate of the Union

60% of the time it works every time

by Creeping Death on Jul 7, 2011 4:52 PM EDT reply actions

…and follow that up with long term contracts for Suter and Rinne? It’s a plan.

"I don't want to get into a he said, she said with the refs...I'm the he."

—Chris Pronger

by Marcus Newman on Jul 7, 2011 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions

we could manage this team Marcus!

60% of the time it works every time

by Creeping Death on Jul 7, 2011 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Sign me up!

Wait…my season tickets will be comped, correct? …and I’m going to need all-I-can-eat hot dogs on game days. Also, I want to take out Mike Fisher and his wife as a gesture of goodwill. Obviously I would be available to ferry her around if he is on the road. …and home jerseys WILL NEVER have gold as the primary color…

I need to write this stuff down somewhere.

"I don't want to get into a he said, she said with the refs...I'm the he."

—Chris Pronger

by Marcus Newman on Jul 7, 2011 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions

suggestion

make the Thirds the new home? and then use those white ones fromt he casino gala thing as the aways

by Shadow23 on Jul 7, 2011 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions

I would be happy with simply swapping the blue and gold on the proposed primaries. …but I do love the 3rd’s and a white away version would be sweet.

"I don't want to get into a he said, she said with the refs...I'm the he."

—Chris Pronger

by Marcus Newman on Jul 7, 2011 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions

If you are going to take over

might as well go all out with it you know. but I really wish i could find some place that had the white ones to buy without paying out the butt for it.

by Shadow23 on Jul 7, 2011 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions

+1

"I don't want to get into a he said, she said with the refs...I'm the he."

—Chris Pronger

by Marcus Newman on Jul 7, 2011 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions

I was thinking the same thing last night and all day today. Would make a huge impact and what better way to kick off GMDP’s speech.

by Shadow23 on Jul 7, 2011 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions

All Along

I’ve been saying this all along … they made him “C” at the Skate of the Union, why wouldn’t they make his new contract monumental as well? Plan on going, either way …

by SKSmith on Jul 7, 2011 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Hadn’t thought of that, but I could really see it happening. It could very well be that they have the terms and everything completed. To keep it out of the media until that time, it’s just not officially been signed and submitted. Once a deal does get done, it would be hard to keep it under wraps.

by OddManRush on Jul 7, 2011 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Congratulations Poile!

You just signed the 3rd line.

by BrianAdsFan on Jul 7, 2011 4:52 PM EDT reply actions

Good numbers

I smell money to burn baby!

"I don't want to get into a he said, she said with the refs...I'm the he."

—Chris Pronger

by Marcus Newman on Jul 7, 2011 4:53 PM EDT reply actions

Very pleased to hear this news.

Not sure if people remember when Halischuk was good enough to be playing with our top line at one point with Leggy and Wardo.

I personally feel that Spals is going to be a superstar two-way forward. Don’t ask me why, I just sense it. So, I’m very excited to see him come back.

by MekootLobo on Jul 7, 2011 5:16 PM EDT reply actions

All in all, reasonable signings.

A bit to high for Spals and Cal, IMO, but not by that much. Keeps plenty of cash left to get scoring help.

by Grizzledbear on Jul 7, 2011 5:52 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

These are all great signings.

You can’t bitch about paying a guy $1M and call him over paid. You just can’t do it like you can with somebody who makes like $4.5M.

Kostitsyn will be interesting.

And I believe that makes our room under the cap $26M. We’ll spend $16 of that. $7M for Weber and $2M for Kostitsyn. Where’s the other $7M gonna go?

Bobby Ryan? Parise? Eriksson? Radulov? Semin?

The truth is always the right answer....

by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Jul 7, 2011 6:16 PM EDT reply actions

somebody who makes like $4.5M.

Oh you. Trolololol! =P

Gonna miss you Joel Ward...

Go Predmirals!

by Poiju on Jul 7, 2011 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Awesome news, this covers most of the question marks and just leaves SK and Weber to deal with now. In this market, none were “overpaid” IMO, especially with the salary cap increase.

Regarding going 0-4 in the NHL Awards, I quote the great Hornqvist: "S**t's gonna happen."

by DonBorvio on Jul 7, 2011 6:56 PM EDT reply actions

Yup yup

Made my day a lot better, for sure!

Gonna miss you Joel Ward...

Go Predmirals!

by Poiju on Jul 7, 2011 6:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Do we know how these salaries compare to the deals that may or may not have been offered in time? In other words, does anyone know whether we paid them more than we hoped to in order to avoid the hearing and having them possibly because UFAs?

by LuvthePreds on Jul 7, 2011 7:53 PM EDT reply actions

Possibly led to them getting a bit more than they would have if not for the QO snafu, but fortunately not much more. Makes them tradeable at least if a good trade presents itself to us.

by Grizzledbear on Jul 7, 2011 8:05 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

4 contracts that total 5% of cap space. Cal O was the only one that was really given much of a bump at all and at .47 per game in an injury shortened season a 1.05M/1 year is a no risk deal. That makes for exactly zero evidence that they were even slightly overcompensated. Good indication that they weren’t feeling too snappy about the offer sheet arbitration though.

by DirkDiggler on Jul 7, 2011 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions