Money To Burn...

Posted 12:10 PM ET | Comments 5

<a href='http://predjoe.wordpress.com/files/2007/06/jp.jpg' title='jp.jpg'><img src='http://predjoe.wordpress.com/files/2007/06/jp.jpg' alt='jp.jpg' /></a>

Sure we don't have an owner (that's a minor detail right?) but the Preds have money to burn in the free agent market. With the NHL announcing the new salary cap numbers yesterday the Preds, like it or not, will find themselves being buyers just to reach the 34.3 million dollar minimum.

At this point the Preds sit with 14 players under contract for a total cap hit right at 24 million. This means that the Preds have to spend a minimum of 10 million.

With all this money to spend one has to wonder what happened with Paul Kayria? Rumor has it that Paul turned down a two year deal at 4.5 million per. That would have been the exact same deal that brought Paul to Nashville. While I think the price is in line I think that Paul has seen some of the deals (Kimmo Timonen getting EIGHT million the next two years in his front loaded deal and Scott Hartnell getting 5.2 next season in his front loaded deal) that have happened so far and thinks with the new salary cap sitting at over 50 million some team may offer him in the 5.5-6 million neighborhood. I think some team will do that and when they do I think they just overpaid.

While the uncertainty with the ownership is troubling for fans it has to be more troubling to Daivd Poile who is trying to sell would be Preds on coming here. In the past we had a story to tell. Long tenured coach (who now is on a one year deal that could be the end if they do not go deep in the playoffs), great town, great fans and other marquee players who chose to make Nashville home. Now with Paul, Kimmo, Scotty and Peter Forsberg all exiting stage left one has to wonder what story Poile will be telling now?

The bottom line is the Preds have money that they must spend and when they do I believe David Poile will, once again, find some diamonds in the rough (like JP Dumont last year) that will bring Nashville back to a contender once again.

UPDATE: The Preds resigned Scott Nichol to a one year deal worth $750,000. Scotty is a key role player and brings a ton of energy to each shift he takes. I hope he can play within himself this year and not take stupid penalties that lead to suspensions.

Filed Under: predators kayria salary cap free agents poile eklund

billcanuck

June 30, 2007 12:46 PM ET | Delete
Great to read something about the Preds that's not about - well, you know what. I think the Preds could make like bandits during the UFA. Fans will need to be patient - but I think there are going to be lots of bargains once the "top end" talent is gobbled up. This means Poile can bring in some useful players to off-set what is still an incredible core of players. I'm sure the Preds will be back in the playoffs - and I have a feeling they're going to be more successful when they get there. There seemed to be a lack of steel in the frame of the team these last couple of season. If Poile brings in the right players he can really strengthen the whole group. Surprises all round, I suspect.

Prediculous

July 1, 2007 1:15 PM ET | Delete
Good blog. I think another reason for Kariya's departure is the uncertainty of the franchise AND his desire to play for a greater cup contender. His point per game production will be missed, but I expect a few players to step up next season (hopefully Radulov). The Preds are still a playoff team, even at the cap floor.

Prediculous

effenhockeyfreak

July 1, 2007 2:34 PM ET | Delete
Nichol's signing is the worst in Predators history. The most stupid, selfish, influential play in Predators history, which might have cost the Predators at least one win, maybe a shot at the series and a deeper playoff run, which would have put the Preds attendance over the 14,000 average for the season, thus nullifying the "out" for Leopold, who in turn would have been happy with the team and not put the Preds up for sale, is REWARDED with a two year contract??? GIMME A BREAK!! -- Conduct such as Nichol's should not be rewarded -- Nichol should've been the example of what happens when you don't think "team first" --- he should have been shipped out IMMEDIATELY!!

Section106

July 1, 2007 6:36 PM ET | Delete
I tend to agree that resigning and keeping Nichol sends the wrong message. His idiocy cost us big time last season. Maybe the idea is to package him in a tradedown the road. Let's hope.

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