Predators press Panik button and find a top line forward

[Slava]

Nashville had been looking for forward help since the preseason. We have really been looking for a forward in exchange for a blue liner where we felt we could spare one. Needless to say, when Datsyuk came out as potentially available and we could make a deal for a fan we were all over it, for better or worse.

Going to the Rangers are Andrej Sekera and Richard Panik, and coming to us is Pavel Datsyuk. Clearly this is a "win now" deal for us as Dathas a great rating today, but will decline for next year and beyond. We really lost a key piece when we lost Patrik Elias though, so this should be a great fit.

Thanks to the Rangers for the really straight forward talks and deal.

[JonDuke]

If only I had known I could've got Panik and Sekera for Dats instead of Stuart fricken Percy and a 3rd. Nice flip, Mike.
I really like this trade for both teams.
Nashville really needed help up front and definitely gets that. The Rangers get a high rated D for their top line, and Panik could be a steal of a deal next year if he continues his current pace.
Nicely done, gents.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by JonDuke

If only I had known I could've got Panik and Sekera for Dats instead of Stuart fricken Percy and a 3rd. Nice flip, Mike.
I really like this trade for both teams.
Nashville really needed help up front and definitely gets that. The Rangers get a high rated D for their top line, and Panik could be a steal of a deal next year if he continues his current pace.
Nicely done, gents.

Yeah there was an overpayment on my part, for sure. I do regret that but I justify it to myself in a few ways. First, I haven't had a chance to make this kind of deal anywhere. A F for D swap is hard to find a home for, even with good defencemen. Second, I paid a lot when you look at ratings next year, but in the meantime I get about 70 games of a forward rated higher than any other forward I have! And lastly, FF is just a nice guy!