After shipping backup goalie Brent Johnson to Philadelphia two weeks ago Nashville Predators GM Tony Kapfenberger enjoyed staying active at the trade front and was able to complete more deals to help the team in the future.
The first deal that was completed saw promising forward Erik Christensen shipped to Los Angeles for forward Dan Fritsche. "We like Dan's versatility and his upside as two-way player. I think we got ourself a terrific playmaker who will be a very valuable player in the future. We paid a high price as Erik seemed to have a nice future too, but overall we like Dan's game better."
Kapfenberger also shopped for some immediate help getting left winger Chad Kilger and a 5th round selection in 2007 for prospects Rob Scuderi and Dany Roussin. "Roussin was expendable as we have some similar forwards like him in the system who are closer to contributing than him. We had planned to give Rob a spot in our lineup next season, but I think we got the better end of the deal by aquiring Chad especially because we were able to sign Tomi Pettinen as depth defenseman for the next two seasons."
The third deal was again a goalie-related move. Mathieu Garon who was the starter for most of Nashville's games this season was shipped together with forward Jeff Halpern to St. Louis in exchange for goaltender Martin Biron, defensive forward Mike Grier and a 7th round selection in the upcoming draft. "It was tough to let Jeff go, especially as he was our leading scorer and an inspired leader. But we got a great goalie in this deal and we are set at this position for years now, with Kari Lehtonen, Josh Harding and Thomas Greiss coming up the prospect ranks. A good franchise is built by starting with good goaltending and we certainly have that now."
The first deal that was completed saw promising forward Erik Christensen shipped to Los Angeles for forward Dan Fritsche. "We like Dan's versatility and his upside as two-way player. I think we got ourself a terrific playmaker who will be a very valuable player in the future. We paid a high price as Erik seemed to have a nice future too, but overall we like Dan's game better."
Kapfenberger also shopped for some immediate help getting left winger Chad Kilger and a 5th round selection in 2007 for prospects Rob Scuderi and Dany Roussin. "Roussin was expendable as we have some similar forwards like him in the system who are closer to contributing than him. We had planned to give Rob a spot in our lineup next season, but I think we got the better end of the deal by aquiring Chad especially because we were able to sign Tomi Pettinen as depth defenseman for the next two seasons."
The third deal was again a goalie-related move. Mathieu Garon who was the starter for most of Nashville's games this season was shipped together with forward Jeff Halpern to St. Louis in exchange for goaltender Martin Biron, defensive forward Mike Grier and a 7th round selection in the upcoming draft. "It was tough to let Jeff go, especially as he was our leading scorer and an inspired leader. But we got a great goalie in this deal and we are set at this position for years now, with Kari Lehtonen, Josh Harding and Thomas Greiss coming up the prospect ranks. A good franchise is built by starting with good goaltending and we certainly have that now."
