FoxSports Detroit is running a story this evening claiming that the Nashville Predators and Detroit Red Wings are talking trade, with Jordin Tootoo’s return to Smashville potentially on the table:
An NHL source has confirmed to FoxSportsDetroit.com that the Detroit Red Wings and Nashville Predators have discussed sending Jordin Tootoo back to Music City.
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Red Wings coach Mike Babcock praised Tootoo’s play at the end of last season, saying he provided a gritty physical presence that the Wings have lacked in previous years.
However, the Wings desperately need salary-cap relief, and with Tootoo’s hit of $1.9 million for each of the next two years, he’s one of the players the Wings are shopping around. Mikael Samuelsson, Todd Bertuzzi and Cory Emmerton are the others.
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WTF?
This doesn’t make the least bit of sense. The Predators are already overloaded with 3rd & 4th line forwards making $1.5 million or more (Tootoo’s due $2 million for each of the next two seasons). While you could certainly say that last season’s team missed the hard hitting that Tootoo brings to the game, that issue was supposedly addressed with the Matt Hendricks and Eric Nystrom signings.
So… no thanks. There’s just no room for Tootoo in the Nashville lineup these days, and it’s hard to see where he’d provide an upgrade over what they’ve already got in place. I enjoyed Tootoo’s style of play as much as anyone, but this Predators team needs more talent at the top of the depth chart, not the bottom.