Hal Gill Traded to Nashville

[thepolishkid88]

Nashville, Tenn. – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has acquired veteran defenseman Hal Gill and a conditional fifth-round pick in the 2013 Entry Draft from Montreal in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2012 Entry Draft and forwards Blake Geoffrion and Robert Slaney. He is expected to meet the team today in Detroit.

“Hal Gill brings our team a number of elements – size, penalty-killing ability, depth on defense and playoff experience,” Poile said. “He has won a Stanley Cup and played a combined 69 playoff games over the last four years, experience that significantly benefits our team.”

Gill, 36 (4/6/75), has suited up for 1,047 regular-season games (36g-143a-179pts, 940 PIMs) and 105 playoff contests (0g-6a-6pts, 68 PIMs) since 1997-98 – more than any player currently on the Predators roster. He appeared in back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals in 2008 and 2009 with Pittsburgh, winning the Cup in 2009. One of the League’s tallest players at 6-7, 240 pounds, Gill has eight points (1g-7a) and 29 penalty minutes thus far in 2011-12 playing in his third season with the Canadiens.

The Concord, Mass., native was drafted 207th overall (eighth round) by Boston in the 1993 Entry Draft, and played eight seasons with the Bruins (1997-2006) before stints in Toronto and (2006-08) Pittsburgh (2007-09).

The Predators now have eight draft picks for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft to be held June 22-23, 2012 at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pa. – their own picks in the first, and fourth through seventh rounds, in addition Toronto’s third-round pick, Phoenix’s fourth rounder and the New York Rangers’ sixth-round selection.

[thepolishkid88]

Question becomes is this an add for the playoffs or as a suitable replacement for Suter or Weber?

[kam]

Originally Posted by thepolishkid88

Question becomes is this an add for the playoffs or as a suitable replacement for Suter or Weber?

Sure as **** isn't a suitable replacement.

[farcyde21]

Did NOT see that coming

[canuckfan]

Sounds like more of PR move than an actual hockey deal to me. Having a player with the name Geoffrion back in a Habs jersey was probably too good to pass up, and may help turn on a fan base after a season of nothing but bad press for Montreal. But they also got a second rounder out of Gill as well, so all in all, not a bad deal for the Habs, while the Preds get deeper on their blue line.

I'm guessing this is just the start of many trades for the Habs in the coming week...

[Big_Fat_Dan]

Originally Posted by thepolishkid88

Question becomes is this an add for the playoffs or as a suitable replacement for Suter or Weber?

Got to be playoffs, I'm not sure they can replace Suter or Weber?

Smart move thou.

[acdcrocksno1]

Thank **** for that glad he did not end up a flyer

[DaleHunter32]

first "win" the habs have had all year

habs > preds

[acdcrocksno1]

Whats the scout report on the two guys they gave up for him? Career minor leaguers or average prospects or both?

[Gunslinger]

Originally Posted by thepolishkid88

Question becomes is this an add for the playoffs or as a suitable replacement for Suter or Weber?

That was my first thought also. Did they pick him up to fill an upcoming vacancy on D? Not sure why else they would get him. The Preds also have a bunch of picks. Will come in handy if they lose/trade one or both(can't see both going)Suter/Weber.

[thepolishkid88]

Originally Posted by acdcrocksno1

Whats the scout report on the two guys they gave up for him? Career minor leaguers or average prospects or both?

Slaney is junk, Geoffroin is a player with upside and some talent. That 2nd is in a pretty decent position as well.

[Chiefs for Life]

Hal Gill and a conditional fifth round pick for Robert Slaney, Blake Geoffrion and Nashville's second round pick for this season, Umm I actually think Pierre Gauthier fleeced Poile on this one.....

[Wadubbin]

Never thought he'd go to Nashville.

[hockey doc]

Is a good move for the preds, obviously they think they have a legit shot at making a run for the SC this season, why not add a big D with experience.

[Leafs_Fan18]

Wow, that much for Gill?? I'm impressed MR.Gauthier, well done!!