Poile pulls the trigger...

Posted 1:25 AM ET | Comments 4

I will have to admit, in the past I have been very critical of David Poile and the Predators have not taking a high-end risk. (Yes, the Forsberg trade was a high-end risk.) I think a move like the acquisition of Sergei Kostitsyn from Montreal for a goaltender you had no interest in keeping as a UFA and a 4th, or at most a 3rd line center, who is a RFA and future consideration (or in baseball terms, "the late round draft pick or player to be named later."

Poile knows what he has to work with financially and from a personnel standpoint, so why spend money to resign a backup goalie, when they are a dime a dozen. Also, I think I'm in the majority when I say we don't need another 3rd or 4th line center. Yes, I know Boyd could have been kept at a affordable price, but you already have Legwand, Wilson, Goc, Smithson, O'Reilly, Santorelli and Spaling, etc. Kostitsyn is high-risk, but has upside and may hang around awhile. The GM has passed the written part of the test, he traded for someone of this caliber. Now comes the essay portion, sign him long term and hope he doesn't fall on his sword / stick, like he did in Montreal or decide to join Comrade Radulov.
Did you hear Poile's comments on 104.5 this evening around 6:30 pm? He said the Predators will announce a free agent signing on Thursday. It kinda sounded like he's exicted about it. I assume a European veteran, because if it were a draft pick or someone on waivers, he could just announce it. It can't be a player already in the league, that would be tampering. Well, I guess we will see on Thursday.