Draft Day Begins With A Bang!

Posted 1:47 PM ET | Comments 5

David Poile should play poker professionally. He should. I saw him on local news tow nights ago saying "I am not confident at all that we will be able to sign Dan Ellis. I think he wants to test the free agent market."

Well...I'll be jiggered if he didn't go and pull off a deal that cleared the way to get Ellis to sign by trading Mason away to the St. Louis Blues. This is a good deal for the Preds...while I am a bit sad to see Mason leave (<a href="http://predjoe.wordpress.com/2007/12/06/ellis-to-start-tonighthappy-birthday-to-me/">I'll never forget our meeting Chris!</a>

he really seemed to lose a step last year. Not sure what it was but he did not look like a number one goalie. Somehow Poile talked St. Louis into thinking that he was and that he is worth six million over the next two years. Ouch!

I think the tandem of Dan Ellis and Pekka Rinne will be perfect for the Preds heading into next year. Dan played great all last season and seemed to thrive under the pressure of the playoffs. Pekka is, hopefully, our goalie of the future and if we can get him 20-30 starts next year that would be perfect.

It was also sad to see Preds tough guy Darcy Hordichuk get traded to the Hurricanes. Darcy has been a class act during his time with the Preds. I hope that the Canes can use him a bit more than the Preds did last year. I know he could not have been happy with his lack of starts but he never let it show.

What else does draft day hold? Will anything come of the "preds interested in Cheechoo" comment that is floating around. It's going to be an exciting day.

Filed Under: predators predjoe dan ellis chris mason blues cheechoo

arwilson529

June 20, 2008 2:20 PM ET | Delete
Why do I just get this mental image of Poile sitting in the office, the phone rings and its JD. "What? Say that again? You want Mase?! SURE!!!"

jim bob jones

June 20, 2008 2:49 PM ET | Delete
http://pub17.bravenet.com/chat/show.php/1448354782Free chat during the draft.(your name)blogger as your profile :thumbsup: Come join!!!

blueline

June 20, 2008 3:46 PM ET | Delete
How about the day so far...I agree that Mr. Poile's been pretty slick so far. And, considering what Chris is probably capable of, probably a good move for the Blues comsidering their needs. (Although, it's better for us in my slightly biased eyes.) And as for Darcy, maybe he can get more time on the ice than last year's 5 minutes or so with us. BTW, welcome back predjoe.

Pred26

June 20, 2008 3:50 PM ET | Delete
STUPID STUPID MOVE! I recall the year before last everyone screaming MASON MASON then he has a bad year and they scream ELLIS ELLIS.. BAD MOVE ELLIS WILL BE TOOLED NEXT YEAR! Game one prediction 6 - 1 and Ellis pulled in the second... Damn stupid move...

predjoe

June 20, 2008 4:06 PM ET | Delete
thanks Blueline...it's good to be back. I blogged so much last year I got a bit burned out. Couple that with a new born at home...I just needed to unplug. Looking forward to talking some hockey and can't wait for the 08-09 version of the Preds!

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