The Nashville Predators have made a splashy move heading into the NHL Trade Deadline, acquiring defenseman Denis Grebeshkov from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a 2nd-round draft pick, per TSN. This is a significant addition to the Nashville defense corps, and likely clears the way for a Dan Hamhuis trade heading into Wednesday's deadline. Preds GM David Poile has often said that moving Hamhuis (who will be a free agent this summer) would be predicated on acquiring a veteran defenseman to fill his role.
Grebeshkov, who makes just over $3 million this season and will be a restricted free agent this summer, is a dynamic defender who might be able to add punch to what has been a lifeless Nashville power play. He represented Russia at the Winter Olympics, tallying one assist in four games.
Check out Lowetide's posts on Grebeshkov over the course of the season and you'll see a talented, but somewhat inconsistent performer this season. On a bad team, defensemen can often get sucked into leaving position and trying to do too much (a feature noted on his scouting report), and it's likely that the Predators think that within a more structured environment he can be successful.
For a bit of reaction, here's what Benjamin Massey of Copper & Blue had to say upon hearing of this trade:
I just went down to the lunchroom, got a highball glass, and poured myself a stiff drink so I could whip it at my computer monitor in disgust.
Steve Tambellini is amazing. Every time you think he can't possibly $@%! up worse, that he's reached the nadir of human intellect, he somehow does it! It's like the Oilers have become a reality show!
Interestingly, Grebeshkov was presumably already here in Nashville, since the Oilers play the Predators here at the newly-christened Bridgestone Arena tomorrow evening.
The Nashville Predators resume their home schedule after the Olympic break Tuesday, March 2nd vs. Edmonton, and have 10 home games in the month of March. For discounted tickets to any Nashville Predators home game, follow this link and use the special offer code "PREDS".
The following press release was sent out by the Preds:
Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has acquired defenseman Denis Grebeshkov (DEH-nihs greh-behsh-KAHV) from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.
Grebeshkov, 26 (10/11/83), has 19 points (6g-13a) in 47 games with the Oilers in 2009-10, his third full NHL campaign. The Yaroslavl, Russia native registered career highs in both goals (7) and points (39) a season ago in Edmonton, and has 82 points (16g-66a) in 223 career games with Los Angeles, N.Y. Islanders and Edmonton since 2003-04.
Selected 18th overall by the Kings in the 2002 Entry Draft, the 6-0, 209-pound blueliner is fresh off representing Russia in the 2010 Olympics where he registered an assist while playing in all four of the nation's games. Grebeshkov has also helped Russia win gold medals at the past two World Championships, posting six assists in nine games in 2008 and a goal and two assists in nine games last May.
Regular Season
Playoffs
Season
Club
League
GP
G
A
PTS
PIM
GP
G
A
PTS
PIM
2001-02
Yaroslavl
Russia
26
1
2
3
10
--
--
--
--
--
2002-03
Yaroslavl
Russia
48
0
7
7
26
10
0
1
1
2
2003-04
Manchester
AHL
43
2
7
9
34
6
0
1
1
6
Los Angeles
NHL
4
0
1
1
0
--
--
--
--
--
2004-05
Manchester
AHL
75
5
44
49
87
6
0
4
4
2
2005-06
Manchester
AHL
48
2
25
27
59
--
--
--
--
--
Los Angeles
NHL
8
0
2
2
12
--
--
--
--
--
2005-06
New York Islanders
NHL
21
0
3
--
8
--
--
--
--
--
Bridgeport
AHL
--
--
--
--
--
7
1
1
2
8
2006-07
Yaroslavl
Russia
47
8
8
16
79
7
0
2
2
6
2007-08
Edmonton
NHL
71
3
15
18
22
--
--
--
--
--
2008-09
Edmonton
NHL
72
7
32
39
38
--
--
--
--
--
2009-10
Edmonton
NHL
47
6
13
19
26
--
--
--
--
--
NHL TOTALS
223
16
66
82
106
0
0
0
0
0
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