Preds Add Grebeshkov

			2009/2010 NHL Statistics
To Nashville	Position	Age	GP	Goals	Points	2010 Cap Hit	2011 Cap Hit
Denis Grebeshkov	Defenseman	26	47	6	19	$3.15 million	RFA
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To Edmonton	Position	Age	GP	Goals	Points	2010 Cap Hit	2011 Cap Hit
2010 2nd Round Draft Pick

I'm not entirely sure where this fit in the Monday trading action, but this is going to be my first trading post of the silly season. The Predators are fueling the further trade rumour fires by acquiring Denis Grebeshkov from the Oilers for a 2nd round pick this Summer. The Predators have lots of rumours in the mill, especially surrounding their current defenseman crop and the acquisition of Grebeshkov will help that along.

The Oilers, on the other hand, are also amid a heavy rumour cycle, as they will be looking to dismantle the team a little bit, likely aiming for the 1st overall pick in this Summer's draft and also adding more picks for an increased stable of young players.

This deal really facilitates a lot and opens up some flexibility for both sides, that I think they have been looking for and has been rumoured.

Grebeshkov's deal was a pretty good one, signing for over $3 million this past summer and he still will be a restricted free agent this summer. The remaining cap hit for this season is about $739,000, which is more than manageable for the Predators, who were well under the salary cap ceiling. If they can move another body in the next 48 hours, they will be in better shape.

The Oilers will cut the remaining salary from their books on the blueline and we'll await how they fill his spot for the stretch drive of the season. I would imagine that they would bring in some of their youth to get some much-needed experience and help get a taste of what it really takes in the league, meaning the cap hit will be light. The Oilers were actually up high among cap hit leaders in the league, so a cut can do great things, even help make a move for a future star.

In the Draft, its a quick change for Dale C., who goes into the homestretch in 9th place. Grebeshkov will head to a higher scoring team in Nashville, which has to be more promising for Dale and his pool team. I'm not sure that is the move that makes the biggest difference for Dale this year, but it couldn't hurt at all.

Grebeshkov also has six selections in the Sheet pool this year, which is also a plus. I don't have the exact numbers in the money race that Grebeshkov makes a difference to, but he is in the pool and making a difference to some teams.

I am interested to see what else is in store for both these teams, because it sounds like its going to be a good few days of interesting news.

Since this deal is a pre-cursor to other moves, its really hard to say how good it is for either side, but when you acknowledge that it was made to accommodate these teams in some more moves, it has to be pretty good. The Predators do get an offensively-minded blueliner that has lots of years left and has the ability to put a different cap number up, it works for flexibility down the stretch.

The Oilers have likely accepted their fate, so the fire sale is on!

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