Nashville, Tennesee-With the free-agent signing period starting July 1st, the Predators have turned the whole organization upside down. Key veterans were let go to make room for up and coming youngsters. "There are financial implications with these moves -- younger players generally cost less than older players," Predators GM David Poile said. "In many cases of the players who we have not made qualifying offers to, the price is simply too high. That being said, our core is intact. As this team improves, it will be mostly due to talented young players who makes up that nucleus."Money was spent on the offensive side of the puck. The Predators leading goal scorer, Andreas Johansson, signed a one year deal paying him $900,000 for the up coming season. Rem Murray agreed to a last minute deal. According to the NHLPA, Rem will make $1,000,000 for the 03-04 season. Along with Johansson and Murray, offers were made to Denis Arkhipov, Scott Hartnell, Petr Hubacek, David Legwand, Curtis Murphy, Alexander Riazantsev, Robert Schnabel and Kimmo Timonen.
Fourteen players weren't offered qualifying offers, making them unrestricted free agents. Erik Anderson, Jason Beckett, Cale Hulse, Bryan Lundbohm, Cameron Mann, Denis Pederson, Domenic Pittis, Todd Warriner, Clarke Wilm, Vitali Yachmenev, Wade Flaherty, Brent Gilchrist, Bill Houlder and Reid Simpson are now free agents.
Defenseman Karlis Skrastins has also been sent packing. He has been traded to the Colorado Avalanche for a 3rd round pick in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. Because of the shake up, Nashville will start the 2003-2004 season with just three returning defensemen. The team also bought out Oleg Petrov's contract, making him an unrestricted free agent.
© 2003 The Predators Report
