Are The Nashville Predators Looking To Sign Ilya Kovalchuk?

The Nashville Predators have pulled off two deals this afternoon, sending centre Jason Arnott to the New Jersey Devils in return for Matt Halischuk and a second-round draft choice in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft and sending the rights to defenseman Dan Hamhuis and a conditional seventh-round draft choice in 2011 to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for defenseman Ryan Parent.

Hamhuis, who was widely expected to test the free agent waters this summer, is said to be looking for a contract in the neighborhood of $5 million or more per season on a long term deal.

Arnott, a player that has struggled to stay healthy the past two seasons, heads back to New Jersey where he was a member of the Devils from 1997-98 through 2001-2002.

When you factor in what Hamhuis was going to make ($5 million per) and the savings the Predators made on the Arnott deal ($4.5 million), one has to wonder if the Predators plan on doing a little free agent shopping with the Cap room they have saved.

While likely not a preferred destination for Ilya Kovalchuk; Nashville may turn their sights on trying to sign the prolific scorer to a long-term deal, believed to be in the $7.5-$9.0 per season range.

The Predators boast an up and coming lineup, featuring Pekka Rinne in net, Shea Weber and Ryan Suter on defense and David Legwand, Martin Erat, Marcel Goc, Colin Wilson and veteran Steve Sullivan up front.

Other options to replace Arnott include unrestricted free agents Patrick Marleau and Tomas Plekanec, with the cheaper option of Matthew Lombardi also in the mix.

While not expected to be a big free agency player, the Nashville Predators have a considerable amount of Cap room with which to sign UFA’s.

Colin Wilson is expected to take on a bigger role with the club next season, as is prospect Nick Spaling, both of whom will come on the cheap.

There have been many reports suggesting that the Preadtors may, in fact, be trimming salary in an effort to reduce their losses, but with the team having minimal regular season and zero post season success, it may be time for ownership to step up and pay the big bucks to the likes of Kovalchuk or Marleau in hopes of reaping the rewards come playoff time.

Needless to say, the odds of Nashville landing Kovalchuk are slim, but it is food for fodder.

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Until next time,

Peace!