Predators Deal Arnott, Right To Hamhuis

The Nashville Predators made two cost-cutting deals Saturday afternoon with a couple of Eastern Conference contenders. The first of those saw them ship the rights to pending unrestricted free agent defenseman Dan Hamhuis and a conditional draft choice in 2011 to Philadelphia in exchange for Ryan Parent.

This trade was an indication of just how badly the Flyers wanted Hamhuis on their blue line, and how little faith or little desire the Predators had in retaining him based on the contract he is likely to demand. Philadelphia has targeted Hamhuis for quite some time, even creating speculation last season that they were looking to acquire him in a trade deadline deal. And they managed to gain a 12-day window for sole negotiation opportunity with him. This is not the first time Philadelphia has utilized this strategy for bringing in pending free agents, especially not with Nashville in particular. In 2007, the Flyers acquired the rights to defenseman Kimmo Timonen and forward Scott Hartnell in exchange for a first round selection pick in that year’s draft just 13 days prior to the opening of free agency. Both players were signed almost instantly.

Hamhuis just finished off a contract that earned him $8 million over four years. He made $2.5 million of that last season and counted as a $2 million cap hit annually during its duration. Now, it’s believed Hamhuis could be seeking a deal worth about $4 million per season, which is a bit too rich for Nashville’s blood.

Hamhuis will fit in nicely with the Flyers. The 27-year old, 12th overall selection by the Predators back in 2001 possesses good all-around ability. He is can play in all situations, is defensively conscientious, logs a lot of minutes and delivers big hits. He has all the tools necessary to work well on a physical, in-your-face Philadelphia team. These are skills that not only made him an attractive option to Philly, but clubs like New Jersey and Vancouver, as well.

There is obviously a risk when it comes to these types of deals, as Philadelphia may not be able to reach an agreement with Hamhuis over the next 12 days and be forced to fight other teams for his services anyway. And that’s why, according to general manager Paul Holmgren, they want to get him signed as quickly as possible. This short window enables Philly to avoid the competition. By all accounts, it seems like shouldn’t be any problems from Hamhuis’ camp. He seems open to the idea of joining the Philadelphia blue line.

“I think Philly has an unbelievable defensive core,” Hamhuis said. “To join a core like that makes the Flyers one of the tougher ones in the league.

“To play against the teams from the East, the conference has a lot of great forwards, and watching the playoffs, having a great defense will get you a long way.”

At $4 million a year, it will be tight squeeze getting Hamhuis to fit into Philadelphia’s payroll, with over $49 million committed to 17 players and the likes of Dan Carcillo, Arron Asham and Braydon Coburn needing new contracts. Plus, a decision needs to be made about the team’s goaltending situation, which could include re-signing Michael Leighton. But with about $8 million to play around with, Holmgren should be able to put all the pieces together.

In trading a player they were likely to lose within the next few weeks anyway, the Predators were able to re-acquire Parent. Parent was part of the deal that brought Peter Forsberg to Nashville in 2007. He was drafted 18th overall in 2005 and has failed to live up to the hype in four seasons with Philadelphia. But a change of scenery back to the team that drafted him should do the 23-year old some good, especially considering Nashville’s track record with developing defensemen.

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A few hours after unloading Hamhuis on Philadelphia, the Predators were trading again – this time with the New Jersey Devils. On a nostalgia kick for much of the past two seasons, the Devils gave up a second round pick in next year’s draft and 22-year old wing Matt Halischuck in exchange for the Predators' 35-year old captain and center, Jason Arnott.

Arnott is one of many familiar faces on the Devils’ roster. Lou Lamoriello has gained a reputation for bringing back the good ‘ol days – a strategy not without its merits considering the failed postseason runs of the past few years. Arnott was with New Jersey for five years from 1998-2002, and played an integral role in delivering the Devils their second Stanley Cup Championship in 2000. As the center on the Devils’ "A Line", Arnott notched the game winner and Cup-clincher in double overtime of Game 6 in the Stanley Cup Finals against the Dallas Stars. It was his first, and thus far only, Cup:

Patrick Elias is still around. Where’s Petr Sykora when you need him?

Arnott obviously doesn’t have the same offensive touch he did back in 2000, but he is not devoid of offensive capabilities either. Age is a factor, as is health. But the man is just two years removed from posting a 33-goal season and has notched over 50 points in four of the last five seasons – including two campaigns with 76 and 72 points. He has something left in the tank and fills a need for New Jersey at center, where Travis Zajac is the only true Devils standout.

The only head scratcher in this deal for New Jersey is that general manager Lou Lamoriello brought upon another $4.5 million cap hit to a team that needs every single penny is can muster. The Devils have about $11 million in wiggle room after the addition of Arnott, and that’s without Ilya Kovalchuk, Paul Martin and David Clarkson – a restricted free agent – inked. Those are three players seeking their fair share of the pie, and there’s plenty more to go around with $15.5 million than $11 million.

But considering the Devils did not have to give up anything earth-shattering to bring in a player capable of making a legitimate impact on the team, it’s a financial gamble worth taking. He will provide depth, experience and much needed leadership to a team where there is already an established relationship.

"I am excited," Arnott said in a conference call. "I have always wanted to come back to Jersey at some point in my career and now it has happened, so I am really looking forward to it."

As for Nashville, this was nothing more than a salary dump. They gained a second round draft choice that could come in handy next summer. And they bring in a young winger with little NHL experience, but two decent years in the AHL and the notoriety of netting the game-winning goal in overtime for Canada in the Goal Medal Game of the 2008 World Junior Championships against Sweden.