The Original Predator has left the building, ladies & gentlemen.
Legwand waived NTC to DET. Done.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 5, 2014
According to @GMillerTSN, Preds get Patrick Eaves, a prospect and a 3rd-round pick for Legwand
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) March 5, 2014
Today the Nashville Predators traded David Legwand, the team’s first-ever draft pick and record holder in all the main statistical categories (games played, goals, assists, points, etc.) to his hometown team, the Detroit Red Wings. Personally, I think he’ll be a superb fit there, his skating ability and patience to play within a system should adapt well to the Red Wings lineup.
Must Reads
Since he was heading to unrestricted free agency and the Predators were so openly hesitant to negotiating a new contract, it’s no surprise to see Legwand traded, but this does represent a milestone in the franchise’s short history.
Ever since the Predators signed Matt Cullen to a two-year(!) contract last summer, it appeared that Legwand’s days were numbered here in Smashville. In recent days we’ve seen conflicting reports on the status of talks between the team and it’s longest-serving player, with Legwand claiming that nothing much was being discussed either in terms of trade or a contract extension, while David Poile indicated that he had been in touch with Leggy and his agent on multiple occasions.
His career numbers in Nashville are as follows (team records in bold):
Bon voyage, Leggy – I for one will be cheering on your run to the playoffs, and it’s a shame you couldn’t get the send-off that you deserved.