Nashville has been very quiet all summer.. almost too quiet for most gms in the league.. but that all unfolded this past week as GM Barbosa was busy on the phones making appropiate changes to the coming season.. "I looked at our roster in hand and since we were 1 mear point of making the playoffs last season with a vetern team i knew that this season we just couldn't provide the same effort with the players we lost to free agency."
Peca, Rucchin 2 of the more hard working centers were left to find new homes and that they did but as the free agency becomes a week old now.. GM Barbosa made a splash on thursday nite as he signed free agent goalie Martin Gerber for 5 million for 2 yrs.. This will solidify the backup position to starter Vesa Toskala and put the Preds in teh much needed 3 goalies in the system requirement.
Earlier in the week the Preds made some massive decision regarding players.. and leaving the City of Nashville and heading further south is none other the Norris Trophy Winner Matthieu Schneider. Schneider had these comments before he left... "Its sad I couldn't stay to see this team improve more and make the playoffs but the move gives me a great opportunity to play with a relatively strong competitive team and gives me one or maybe 2 more shots at a cup run before my career ends." The trade saw the Preds pick up not 1 not 2. but THREE first rounders all mid first rounders for schneider and pandolfo... The other significant deal saw a more defensive minded center Blair Betts and Kukkonan come from New York to help the young team out.. Martin Skoula was the defencemen gone in this package deal.. No other players or picks were involved.
So whats next for Nashville.. GM Barbosa is satisified with his goalie signing. its gearing up for a probalby one long regular season where Nashville could become a bottom 5 team in teh league and will be relying HEAVILY on nylander bertuzzi and naslund to provid over 50 percent production for the team and not to mention Vesa Toskala will have to stand up to a barrage of shot he will be facing during this season.. "Who knows maybe we can be the surprise team of the league" laughs gm Barbosa after his press conference.
