Our afternoon hockey notes kick off with fresh news regarding Alexander Radulov & Andrei Kostitsyn's night out on the town during the Predators/Coyotes series. In light of this new information, do you still agree with the action taken by David Poile?
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Nashville Predators News
For better and worse, players from the former Soviet bloc - Sports Illustrated According to Michael Farber's account, Radulov & Kostitsyn violated the team curfew by 1 hour before Game 2. One hour? Does that really justify their suspension for Game 3?
Why Ryan Suter will remain with the Predators - The Globe and Mail Eric Duhatschek speculates that when all is said & done, Suter stays.
Smashville 24/7 - Smashville On The Glass – Season recap Commiserate over the year gone by with guest David Boclair.
The Hippodrome: It's Gonna Be A Long Summer | Pith in the Wind Will David Poile launch a rebuild in the wake of his "all in" effort this spring?
Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey
2012 NHL Playoffs: Rangers Vs. Capitals - The Fear Of Game 7 - Blueshirt Banter For fans in New York and Washington, it's nail-biting time.
The Los Angeles Kings official Twitter feed will someday be looked at as a pioneer, of sorts | Backhand Shelf I sure hope so. Personality should be rewarded.
30 Embarrassing NHL Team Name Google Image Search Results - Battle of California If you don't mind the language, this is hilarious.
Compete | Backhand Shelf Sports fans worship the competitiveness of pro athletes, but how applicable is it to everyday life?
Don’t insult Bikini Hockey League with comparisons to Lingerie Football League | Puck Daddy This sounds like a really dumb idea.
Question of the week: Which is more important, defense or goaltending? - Raw Charge I'll take a strong defense corps, that can make an average goalie look stellar.
The NHL's Most Interesting Name Final Showdown: Zarley Zalapski vs. Peanuts O'Flaherty - Arctic Ice Hockey Peanuts holds the early lead...
Now that we've had a little time for the sting of playoff disappointment to wear off, it's time to consider some of the accomplishments of this Nashville Predators team, starting with the question of who was the team's Most Valuable Player this season. When you put the whole thing together, regular season and playoffs, who gets your vote as team MVP?
Follow after the jump for a quartet of candidates - vote in the poll, and state your case in the comments...
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Martin Erat
#10 / Left Wing / Nashville Predators
6-0
201
Aug 29, 1981
GP
G
A
P
+/-
PIM
PPG
SHG
GWG
SOG
PCT
Regular Season
71
19
39
58
+12
30
5
1
3
107
17.8
Playoffs
10
1
3
4
-1
6
1
0
0
12
8.3
Marty just barely put up career-best point totals this season, and provided a steady presence on the top line. Hopefully he's not catching SK74 disease, however, as took the fewest shots in a full season since his rookie year of 2001-2002.
Pekka Rinne
#35 / Goalie / Nashville Predators
6-5
209
Nov 03, 1982
GP
MIN
W
L
OTL
GA
GAA
SA
SV
SV%
SO
Regular Season
73
4169
43
18
8
166
2.39
2153
1987
.923
5
Playoffs
10
690
5
5
21
2.07
296
275
.929
1
Another year, another Vezina Trophy nomination for Peks. Particularly early in the season when the Predators could barely break out of their own zone, Rinne kept the team competitive.
Ryan Suter
#20 / Defenseman / Nashville Predators
6-1
198
Jan 21, 1985
GP
G
A
P
+/-
PIM
PPG
SHG
GWG
SOG
PCT
Regular Season
79
7
39
46
+15
30
3
1
1
134
5.2
Playoffs
10
1
3
4
-3
4
1
0
0
30
3.3
Carried a heavy load (team-high 26:30 in average ice time) all season long did while taking a career-low 15 minor penalties.
Shea Weber
#6 / Defenseman / Nashville Predators
6-4
232
Aug 14, 1985
GP
G
A
P
+/-
PIM
PPG
SHG
GWG
SOG
PCT
Regular Season
78
19
30
49
+21
46
10
2
1
230
8.3
Playoffs
10
2
1
3
-1
9
1
0
0
33
6.1
He's headed back to Las Vegas as a contender for the Norris Trophy, and not only serves as the all-around blueline anchor, but is the Preds' main threat on the power play, too.
The Nashville Predators put a wrap on the 2011-2012 season as the team's leadership (CEO Jeff Cogen, General Manager David Poile and Head Coach Barry Trotz) held a press conference to sum up the highs and lows of the year gone by and address some of the issues facing the team this summer. Number One on that list is obviously the Ryan Suter situation, but it sounds like we won't hear anything there for a couple weeks, as Suter decides exactly what he wants to do.
Meanwhile, around the league we have a franchise sale finally going through...
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Nashville Predators News
As other teams thrive with new coaches, Predators stand pat | Nashville City Paper David Boclair writes one of the oddest articles I've seen in a long time. Is he calling for a head coaching change here? If so, he should just come out and make that argument. Otherwise, he wasted a lot of time on something which he called "one of the least newsworthy moments" of the season-ending press conference.
For more from the press conference, head over to the Preds' multimedia page and use the "Channel" selector to pick "Press Conference", as there are several videos. Here, I'll share Coach Trotz and his opening statement:
Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey
NHL says Blues status brighter with new ownership - The Globe and Mail The deal is finally done...
How Will History Remember The Dave Checketts Era? - St. Louis Game Time They're turning the page in St. Louis.
Alex Ovechkin matches Sakic with 30 goals in 50 games - The Globe and Mail Ovi's getting it done for the Caps.
What Should We Expect from NHL Goaltenders? - Habs Eyes On The Prize That .910 save percentage which looked so spiffy a few years ago sucks now.
The cold war between the NHL and NHLPA - Raw Charge Enjoy the playoffs now, because the real battle looms this summer.
The great Dead Puck Era panic of 2012 | Puck Daddy Are we headed back to the 90's?
Once upon a time, LA Gear, Wayne Gretzky, and street hockey kicked ass | Backhand Shelf Well, at least this part of the 90's wasn't so bad.
Dear Patrick Kane, Please Stop Drinking Because You Suck At It - Second City Hockey Patrick Kane's misadventures are getting tiresome.
The Philadelphia Flyers and the Eventual Melancholy of Consistency - The 700 Level A Flyers blogger calls it quits, as the burnout from intensely following a team for years on end takes its toll. I've certainly been at that point myself a few times.
The Nashville Predators have wrapped up their activities for the 2011-2012 season, but now is the time when the front office really gets down to work. With a host of free agents potentially on the way out, and young prospects on their way up through the system, the work done over the next few weeks will go a long way towards setting the direction of the 2012-2013 team.
Follow after the jump as various articles touch on yesterday's press conference, including notes on some of the pending UFA's who have said they'd like to be back...
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Nashville Predators News
Elite Edge Hockey Showcase one month away - coaching roster growing This annual event hosted at A-Game in Franklin provides young hockey players from around the Southeast an opportunity to receive instruction from, and display their talents for, coaches from a wide variety of junior and college programs.
Inside Smashville " Gill, Gaustad both interested in re-signing with Nashville Two of the playoff rentals express a desire to come back, but are they affordable?
Poile and Trotz look to retain Bouillon and Gill’s veteran presence - Nashville Predators Examiner Here's the long & short of the Preds' situation regarding the depth D pairings.
The 2-Week Waiting Game | The Predatorial I think Kris gave himself a headache here.
Smashville 24/7 - To gain Preds’ trust, Radulov has to change I would be very, very surprised to see him make the kinds of changes talked about here in the short-term.
Nashville Predators address team's future plans | The Tennessean Josh Cooper hits the main points from yesterday's press conference.
Nashville Predators' Barry Trotz isn't reason team was ousted from playoffs | The Tennessean David Climer trusts Trotz.
Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey
Ducks Coach Boudreau Signs Two-Year Extension - Anaheim Calling It'll be interesting to see what direction this team takes over the summer under his leadership.
Coyotes and Kings use same formula for success - NHL.com These familiar foes likely won't have any tricks up their sleeve.
Why the Devils Destroyed the Flyers | Bobby Holik - Holik on Hockey The former Devil theorizes that it was a Rodney Dangerfield kind of thing.
Paul Holmgren's season-ending press conference: Highlights and a full transcript - Broad Street Hockey It sounds like Philadelphia is looking strongly at re-signing defenseman Matt Carle.
Brodeur is a Fraud: Understanding When to Make A Save Breaking down what is perhaps the dumbest saying in all of hockey, the "timely save".
How do those multiple OT games affect a playoff series? - View From My Seats Interesting stuff here about how teams bounce back from long playoff games.
Unrestricted Free Agents: The Atlantic Division - Canes Country Out of this selection of UFA's, does anyone catch your eye?
2012 NHL Playoffs: Rangers Vs. Capitals - One More To Go For The New York Rangers - Blueshirt Banter We don't really want to see a Rangers/Devils Eastern Conference Finals, do we?
Yesterday afternoon, the Nashville Predators had their final media availability session with the players, as they packed up their things and headed off for a summer of rest, recuperation, and for some, a trip to the World Championships. As you'd expect, there were expressions of disappointment, and that contract situations will take a while to sort out - the last thing anyone wants to do is make a decision while emotions are still running high.
Follow after the jump for your morning hockey notes, which conclude with the latest Coach's Corner, in which Don Cherry appears to take a serious swipe at Preds' GM David Poile...
Nashville Predators News
Nashville Predators hope playoff loss won't run off new fans | The Tennessean You guys aren't going anywhere, are you?
Suter wants to take time before starting negotiations with Predators - Nashville Predators Examiner Don't expect an immediate solution here.
Nashville Predators' Alexander Radulov reveals injury to knee | The Tennessean Rads is unsurprisingly cautious when talking about his future plans.
Medvedev: "Nashville," Radulov revenge "- 2011-2012 NHL - Hockey - Eurosport KHL President Alexander Medvedev makes some truly idiotic statements about the Preds taking "revenge" on Rads for not signing a long-term contract, and that's what was really behind his Game 3 suspension.
Nashville Predators' Shea Weber has contract options | The Tennessean Both Bouillon and Gill say they'd like to be back, too.
Centerstone Receives Grant from Nashville Predators Foundation | The Leaf Chronicle See where some of those charitable dollars are going to work.
Nashville/Phoenix Finishes Up, But Still Low " Puck The Media Overall, the Preds/Coyotes series drew slightly higher US ratings than Preds/Canucks last year.
Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey
Recap: Caps 2, Rangers 1 - Japers' Rink They're headed to a Game 7 for the right to face New Jersey in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Kings and Flyers are both winners thanks to Richards, Carter trades | Backhand Shelf This does seem to be one of those things that worked well for both teams.
How the Phoenix Coyotes could beat the Los Angeles Kings in the West Final | Backhand Shelf Hey, it's not like anybody picked them to beat the Preds. Seriously, though, the main thing they'll need is for Mike Smith to continue his superhuman ways. Good luck with that.
Western Conference Final shows Bettman’s dream of a super-offensive league is dead | Backhand Shelf Does this all mean the "New NHL" is long-gone?
Shea Weber tops Canucks’ fantasy trade list - The Province This kind of talk is going to continue until The Captain signs an extension.
Quenneville uses leverage, plus 30 Thoughts | Hockey | CBC Sports Point 9 here is a verrrrrrrrrrry interesting perspective.
Ron MacLean of CBC compares NHL players to 9/11 first responders in preposterous tribute (VIDEO) | Puck Daddy Yeah, probably not Ron's proudest moment.
Habs Coaching Candidates: The Unusual Suspects | All Habs I'm still surprised that Bob Hartley's been out of the NHL for so long.
A three-in-the-key rule to solve NHL’s shot-blocking bore - The Globe and Mail I'm all for considering ideas to reduce shot blocking, but yuck, this one's a stinker.
The Dark Blue Jacket: F.A.N.S. offers up 1,002 signatures to CBJ The natives are restless in Columbus.
Welcome to NHLNumbers | NHLNumbers.com My favorite resource for salary information is taking a fresh dive into the realm of advanced hockey stats.
Offense doesn’t win in the playoffs… | Hockey Analysis This year, the high-scoring teams have been getting bounced.
Stars to hire former GM Bob Gainey as consultant - The Dallas Morning News A savvy hire here for the Stars, as it gives GM Joe Nieuwendyk an experienced executive and former player to lean on.
Why Philadelphia fans are suing Flyers over Winter Classic ticket policy | Puck Daddy This looks like a major PR stumble by the Flyers.
The NHL and Canada: Southern discomfort | The Economist A picture of the Preds in my favorite magazine in the world? Awesome, but this article is mostly about Phoenix.
And lastly, check out the latest Coach's Corner. Stick through the nauseating bit about Boyd Gordon winning one faceoff after another for a history lesson on a Stanley Cup winner which dealt with a player who got drunk along the way and even missed a morning skate. Is Grapes calling David Poile a "loser" at the very end?
Maybe this playoff elimination for the Preds feels different in part because it happened far away in Phoenix, in the dead of night. Not only are local hockey fans feeling down because of the loss, but we're dragging due to lack of sleep, too.
Follow after the jump as the analysis of "what went wrong" begins...
Nashville Predators News
Bitter end to Nashville Predators Stanley Cup quest: Who takes the blame? | Puck Daddy This loss certainly doesn't do much for the playoff résumés of Poile & Trotz.
Big questions on Nashville’s blue line heading into the offseason - Nashville Predators Examiner The money bit in here is Jim's dissection of Ryan Suter's post-game comments.
Smashville 24/7 - Giving credit where credit is due You've got to tip your hat to the Coyotes, writes Ryan.
Paul McCann - This One Hurts... Paul ruminates over the late-season additions to see whether they were worth it.
Post Mortem: Part I "The Obvious Query" - Predlines Dan looks at the bright side of potential free agent departure.
Postgame ponderings - Predators Insider Josh nails the mood here: "Past playoff exits for Nashville have been filled with some level of hope. Against the Chicago Blackhawks, we knew the Predators would come back stronger the following season. When they lost to the Canucks, making the second round of the playoffs was considered a major step for the franchise. This feels empty on so many levels. "
Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey
It’s time for Ilya Bryzgalov to steal a game for the Flyers | Backhand Shelf Good luck with that.
Shoulder surgery will keep Kesler on the shelf for six months - The Globe and Mail He must be getting his chicken wing worked on.
Why regular season success still matters in the NHL - The Globe and Mail It's no guarantee, but it's certainly important.
KuklasKorner : The Malik Report : Red Wings Alum Shawn Burr has finally found a bone marrow match Good news for one of my favorite ex-players.
No, Gary Bettman Will Not Award Stanley Cup To Himself - SBNation.com There are a lot of sports commentators out there who have apparently never watched a Stanley Cup presentation.
Hockey and Hashtags: How Social Media Makes the IceMen/Komets Rivalry Unique - IceMenManiacs.com An interesting story here on how a rivalry between two teams evolved through interaction via Facebook.
The buzz for Craig Smith's rookie season was fed in no small part by his performance for Team USA at the 2011 World Championships, and on the heels of Nashville's playoff elimination, the Honey Badger is heading back overseas to wear the red, white and blue once again.
Craig Smith
#15 / Center / Nashville Predators
6-1
197
Sep 05, 1989
USA Hockey's press release follows after the jump...
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Center Craig Smith (Madison, Wis./Nashville Predators/Univ. of Wisconsin) has been added to the U.S. Men's National Team for the 2012 International Ice Hockey Federation Men's World Championship it was announced today by USA Hockey. The tournament is taking place through May 20 in Helsinki, Finland, and Stockholm, Sweden.
Smith debuted for the U.S. Men's National Team last year at the IIHF Men's World Championship in Kosice and Bratislava, Slovakia. He finished second on the team in points (3-3--6) and was named one of Team USA's best three players of the tournament.
Team USA now has 14 forwards, seven defensemen and three goaltenders on its roster. The maximum roster size is 25, which includes three goaltenders and 22 forwards and defensemen.
The Nashville Predators are sending more representatives over to the 2012 IIHF World Championships. We've already heard about Craig Smith and Roman Josi this morning playing for the USA and Switzerland, respectively, but now the Brostitsyns are heading over, while Anders Lindback and Alexander Radulov will take a pass, and Patric Hornqvist is still uncertain.
Look for more information and background on this front this evening, as the players will hold their season-ending media availability at Bridgestone Arena late this afternoon.
Kostitsyns arrive Friday - IIHF.com This will be Andrei's seventh World Championship appearance, and Sergei's second.
NHL situation during the World Cup - Swedish Ice Hockey Association Sweden is apparently talking to Patric Hornqvist about possibly playing at the World Championships, but Anders Lindback is a no-go.
Radulov confirmed that he will not play at the World Championships - Sport Express Run this through Google Translate, for word that Alexander Radulov will head to Germany for a knee operation, rather than the World Championships (thanks to @NHLGossip on Twitter for the link).
The games are getting fewer and farther between these days...
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2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs 2nd Round, Game 5 Preview: New Jersey Devils at Philadelphia Flyers - In Lou We Trust The Devils are hoping to phinish off Philly.
Flyers vs. Devils, ECSF Game 5 preview: Last game of the season? Return of the Mesz? - Broad Street Hockey The Flyers are hoping that the return of Andrej Meszaros to action helps to shore up the blueline.
Part of the "all in" mentality that surrounded the 2011-2012 Nashville Predators was driven by the fact that so many players on this team are headed towards free agency. A combination of long-time homegrown players and trade deadline rentals were supposed to give this team their best hope yet to make a deep run, but now general manager David Poile faces the complicated task of determining which free agents he should try to keep, and where he needs to begin retooling for the 2012-2013 season.
Follow after the jump as we look at the guys who have a chance to hit the market this summer...
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All salary figures below are courtesy of the lovey & talented NHLNumbers.com.
Restricted Free Agents
Sergei Kostitsyn
#74 / Left Wing / Nashville Predators
6-0
207
Mar 20, 1987
Regular Season: 75 GP, 17 G 26 A = 43 Pts, +8 16 PIM 97 Shots
Playoffs: 10 GP, 1 G 1 A = 2 Pts, -3 4 PIM 7 Shots
2011-2012 Salary: $2.5 million
He still refuses to shoot the puck enough, and utterly disappeared in the playoffs for the second straight season. A qualifying offer would at least have to match last season's $2.5 million, but does he warrant much more than that?
Colin Wilson
#33 / Center / Nashville Predators
6-1
214
Oct 20, 1989
Regular Season: 68 GP, 15 G 20 A = 35 Pts, +5 21 PIM 114 Shots
Playoffs: 4 GP, 1 G 0 A = 1 Pt, +1 0 PIM 7 Shots
2011-2012 Salary: $875,000
Until he got benched in the playoffs, Wilson could have eyed James Van Riemsdyk and his 6-year, $25.5 million contract as a comparable, but the lack of opportunity to prove himself in the playoffs will likely undermine that argument.
Alexander Radulov
#47 / Right Wing / Nashville Predators
6-1
200
Jul 05, 1986
Regular Season: 9 GP, 3 G 4 A = 7 Pts, +3 4 PIM 21 Shots
Playoffs: 8 GP, 1 G 5 A = 6 Pts, +2 4 PIM 13 Shots
2011-2012 Salary: $984,000
The big question here is, does Alex want to stay in the NHL? If so, then the Preds have to decide how much to weigh Rads' ill-considered Saturday night out in Phoenix during the playoffs, and whether or not he can be relied upon to play a leading role on a team with championship aspirations.
Shea Weber
#6 / Defenseman / Nashville Predators
6-4
232
Aug 14, 1985
Regular Season: 78 GP, 19 G 30 A = 49 Pts, +21 46 PIM 230 Shots
Playoffs: 10 GP, 2 G 1 A = 3 Pts, -1 9 PIM 33 Shots
2011-2012 Salary: $7.5 million
Another Norris Trophy nomination (and possible win?) give him all the leverage as Shea faces another summer of restricted free agency. How much more than $7.5 million could the Preds pay him and still address other areas of the team?
Jack Hillen
#38 / Defenseman / Nashville Predators
5-10
190
Jan 24, 1986 Regular Season: 55 GP, 2 G 4 A = 6 Pts, +6 20 PIM 51 Shots
Playoffs: 2 GP, 0 G 0 A = 0 Pts, +1 2 PIM 1 Shot
2011-2012 Salary: $650,000
Barry Trotz seemed to have confidence in Hillen as the 7th/8th D on the roster, and it's possible that he could continue in that role next season. Given his 2011-2012 salary, any qualifying offer would have to include at least a 10% bump from the Preds.
Anders Lindback
#39 / Goalie / Nashville Predators
6-6
203
May 03, 1988
Regular Season: 16 GP, 5-8-0 .912 Sv% 2.42 GAA
Playoffs: No action
2011-2012 Salary: $738,000
Is Lindback ready to compete for a starter's job elsewhere? I'm not sure how much trade value is here, but that's an option if the Preds wanted to bring up Jeremy Smith to serve as the backup.
Jonathon Blum - Dispatched to Milwaukee after 33 games, there's still time for him to get another chance at the NHL.
Chris Mueller - Served as a useful emergency center when called upon (just 4 games this year), and led the Admirals in scoring.
Zach Stortini - Played just one game with the Preds as they picked up Brian McGrattan to chuck knuckles instead.
Jeremy Smith - At 23 years of age, is he ready to back up Pekka Rinne, or does he need more seasoning in Milwaukee?
Ryan Thang - Production was very similar to last season, hopefully his development hasn't peaked.
Brodie Dupont - At age 25, it looks like there's little upside left here.
Unrestricted Free Agents
Jordin Tootoo
#22 / Right Wing / Nashville Predators
5-9
199
Feb 02, 1983
Regular Season: 77 GP, 6 G 24 A = 30 Pts, -5 92 PIM 136 Shots
Playoffs: 3 GP, 0 G 0 A = 0 Pts, Even 4 PIM 2 Shots
2011-2012 Salary: $1.35 million
Put up career-best offensive numbers, but his game seemed to deteriorate over the last two months. Couldn't crack the playoff lineup consistently ahead of Brandon Yip, who filled a similar role.
Andrei Kostitsyn
#46 / Right Wing / Nashville Predators
6-0
214
Feb 03, 1985
Regular Season: 72 GP, 16 G 20 A = 36 Pts, -1 26 PIM 122 Shots
Playoffs: 8 GP, 3 G 1 A = 4 Pts, +3 2 PIM 12 Shots
2011-2012 Salary: $3.25 million
Acquired in exchange for a 2nd-round pick (along with a conditional pick from the Hal Gill deal) from Montreal, AK46 was probably viewed already as strictly a rental player, and I can't imagine that his late-night escapades did anything to change that.
Brian McGrattan
#23 / Right Wing / Nashville Predators
6-4
235
Sep 02, 1981
Regular Season: 30 GP, 0 G 2 A = 2 Pts, -1 61 PIM 10 Shots
Playoffs: No action
2011-2012 Salary: $600,000
The Predators seem to always reserve a roster spot for an enforcer, and McGrattan seemed very popular in the locker room and with the fans, so I'd bet on him coming back.
Paul Gaustad
#28 / Center / Nashville Predators
6-5
212
Feb 03, 1982
Regular Season: 70 GP, 7 G 14 A = 21 Pts, -1 76 PIM 75 Shots
Playoffs: 10 GP, 1 G 1 A = 2 Pts, -1 5 PIM 6 Shots
2011-2012 Salary: $2.5 million
While he's superb at the role he specializes in (faceoffs and penalty killing), his price tag is likely too high to justify sticking with Nashville. A fun player to watch, though.
Brandon Yip
#18 / Right Wing / Nashville Predators
6-1
195
Apr 25, 1985
Regular Season: 35 GP, 3 G 4 A = 7 Pts, +1 28 PIM 41 Shots
Playoffs: 10 GP, 1 G 1 A = 2 Pts, -1 6 PIM 11 Shots
2011-2012 Salary: $750,000
He went from being put on waivers by Colorado to playing in every postseason contest for the Predators, so it looks like Barry Trotz may have taken a shining to him as a 4th-line plugger.
Ryan Suter
#20 / Defenseman / Nashville Predators
6-1
198
Jan 21, 1985
Regular Season: 79 GP, 7 G 39 A = 46 Pts, +15 30 PIM 134 Shots
Playoffs: 10 GP, 1 G 3 A = 4 Pts, -3 4 PIM 30 Shots
2011-2012 Salary: $3.5 million
He's the top dog on the free agent market and should be able to pretty much choose his team and salary. I just don't see him staying here.
Francis Bouillon
#51 / Defenseman / Nashville Predators
5-8
198
Oct 17, 1975
Regular Season: 66 GP, 4 G 7 A = 11 Pts, -4 33 PIM 38 Shots
Playoffs: 10 GP, 0 G 3 A = 3 Pts, +7 2 PIM 8 Shots
2011-2012 Salary: $1.5 million
With the young talent coming up through the pipeline, it may be time for The Cube to move on.
Hal Gill
#75 / Defenseman / Nashville Predators
6-7
244
Apr 06, 1975
Regular Season: 76 GP, 1 G 12 A = 13 Pts, -3 37 PIM 49 Shots
Playoffs: 5 GP, 0 G 0 A = 0 Pts, +2 0 PIM 3 Shots
2011-2012 Salary: $2.25 million
An injury suffered in the penultimate regular season kept him out of the Detroit series, and overall I thought he played well against Phoenix. Do the Preds keep him around as the old hand to mentor all the kids on the blueline?
Tyler Sloan - Brought in as a veteran hand for Milwaukee, who knows whether they'll need him there next season.
So what are your thoughts on this list? Who are the keepers, and who should be let go?
