Predators Off-Season Plan and Trade Block
The Nashville Predators held off a couple of challenges down the stretch to qualify for the post-season for the first time in at least a couple of years. We pushed the defending champions to a 7th game in the first round, which was both a disappointment and an achievement at the same time! Overall, our goal was to make the playoffs so I am fairly satisfied with that.
Unfortunately in the process we sold away some youth, and while the cupboards are not bare here we have our work cut-out for us this offseason. Both Marc Savard and Martin St. Louis are up for new deals and on the grid that equates to roughly $10 million per player. We also have Ray Whitney and Jaromir Jagr signed for $8 and $10 million each. On defence Brad Stuart is looking for a new deal and we have Matthias Ohlund for $8.5 million and Tallinder for another $6 million. Oh and then there is Chris Osgood signed for $8 Million. (If you've been adding with me that is approximately $68 million on these 8 players!).
In other words you likely don't need a degree in finance to see the issue confronting the Predators. We can't keep them all, and really can't keep most of them! All in all, if you're doing some window shopping and like something here you ought to make an offer. I plan on making large changes this off-season. Predators fans might be wise to expect a non-playoff team next season, although we will see how the trading leaves us heading in.
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