The draft is an important part of the offseason each year for the Nashville Predators, but this year it was overshadowed by the news that starting goaltender Tim Thomas will sit out the 12/13 season.
So newly drafted goaltender Oskar Dansk and defenseman Dillon Fournier arrive in a team that is uncertain of its future, since Thomas' decision opens a hole on the roster which won't be filled easily. 17 months ago the GM went out and acquired Tim Thomas from the New York Rangers to give his team a chance to win big - and for the first time it showed in the past season. The team made it to the Western Conference Finals and lost to the eventual cup winners in overtime of game 7.
Now Thomas lets his teammates and the entire organization hang. There's frustration all around - among players and the management staff, since it is clear that Thomas' netminding qualities can't be replaced easily. Not without opening another hole.
There's even rumors that the team may get torn apart in order to rebuild through young talent - in this case the GM would probably look for young talent on all positions, especially in goal and on defense.
So stay tuned as the upcoming months will bring changes to the Nashville organization - one way or another...
So newly drafted goaltender Oskar Dansk and defenseman Dillon Fournier arrive in a team that is uncertain of its future, since Thomas' decision opens a hole on the roster which won't be filled easily. 17 months ago the GM went out and acquired Tim Thomas from the New York Rangers to give his team a chance to win big - and for the first time it showed in the past season. The team made it to the Western Conference Finals and lost to the eventual cup winners in overtime of game 7.
Now Thomas lets his teammates and the entire organization hang. There's frustration all around - among players and the management staff, since it is clear that Thomas' netminding qualities can't be replaced easily. Not without opening another hole.
There's even rumors that the team may get torn apart in order to rebuild through young talent - in this case the GM would probably look for young talent on all positions, especially in goal and on defense.
So stay tuned as the upcoming months will bring changes to the Nashville organization - one way or another...
