Sturminator 2, now playing in Nashville!

[Slava]

The Nashville Predators made the first deal of what could translate into a busy few days for them. They acquired the services of Marco Sturm in exchange for Mikko Koivu.

The deal was reached to nullify some previous cash commitments with the San Jose sharks and in full breaks down as follows:

To Nashville:

Marco Sturm
SJ 3rd Rounder

To San Jose:

Mikko Koivu
Que 2nd Rounder
$1 Million

Special: If Scott Niedermayer retires by October 1, 2008 then San Jose sends $2 million to Nashville and receives a 4th round pick.

The special is the lone portion of the otherwise onerous provisions that remained for Nashville from a series of deals last year. In effect, instead of the Predators sending $4 million they made this deal.

Honestly we didn't want to move Koivu, and it was painful to do so. He is the real deal and I have no doubt that he'll produce in San Jose. We are pleased to get Sturm back though and he will be helpful here as well. the main reason for the deal was the cash savings for us, and the impact that will have for us going forward this offseason.

[Sylvanfan]

Apparently Niedermayer is supposed to inform the Ducks today about what he wants to do. I bet he calls up Burke, and asks for more time.

I want to make my 6.75 million next year!

As I type this....looks like he's back!

[Slava]

^ Figured that was going to happen to me....oh well. I had to make a deal to get rid of the $4 million that I was otherwise on the hook for!

[I wanna be like Miikka]

I like this one for Ryan, especially considering the Que 2nd 09 will likely be the last pick in the round, midround at best.

Koivu is younger and has more potential. While cap is worth a ton right now, I would still rather have koivu. Sturm does have a nice fair contract for a couple years though and the trend is that vets do better in the sim then youth so to have a veteran signed on at a fair price for a couple years should help the preds win in the sim, which is the most important thing.

[Goffie]

I like this deal for the Sharks as IMO opinion Koiuv is already better then Sturm and much younger. But that is also a Habs fan giving an opinion on a Briuin...LOL

[RT14]

Well this deal basically boils down to cash. The Sharks were owed $4 million in unpaid debts by the Preds and they brought up the idea of reducing that debt via a trade so I decided a slight player upgrade, albeit a downgrade in OV and an upgrade in age and potential, was worth a couple mil of that 4.

After talks of Savard coming here came to an end, I set my sights on Koivu and we eventually got a deal that works for both teams done. I like Sturm and his contract, but think Koivu could be a legitimate 1st line center in a year or two and welcome him back to the Sharks club.

The Niedermayer news is an amazing bit of information to me though! There are three special conditions that this trade will now clear, two of which involve me sending additional money to the Preds in the future. We agreed that one of the two could be waived upon this deal and he chose to go with keeping the "If Nieds retires, $2 Mil will be sent to the Preds" condition. Not 1 hour later, Nieds announces he will be coming back and saves the Sharks another $2 mil....nice!!!

[Sylvanfan]

Sharks are looking like they'll be a real powerhouse next year. 35 millioin in spare cap and they have some pretty good pieces in place already. Release Mezei and his useless 2.4 million and that will free up a bit more. So even with bringing back Osgood and Niedermayer they'll still have 18-19 million to spend on other upgrades. No doubt Ryan you've done a great job with that team, not only putting together a SIM winner, but just as impressive is running that team so you can come back stronger the next year. Well done.