Notebook Buzz
The Nashville Predators acquired defenseman Hal Gill and a 2013 conditional draft pick from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for forwards Blake Geoffrion, Robert Slaney, and a 2012 second-round pick.
For a 36 year old rental defenseman who many evaluators feel is on the downside of his career, the Canadiens got a good return.
For the Predators, they add depth to an already strong blueline led by Shea Weber and Ryan Sutter. Chicago, Philadelphia and Boston were also believed to be expressing interest in Gill.
Hal Gill brings our team a number of elements, size, penalty-killing ability, depth on defense and playoff experience,” Predators General Manager David Poile said in a released statement. “He has won a Stanley Cup and played a combined 69 playoff games over the last four years, experience that significantly benefits our team.”
The Predators currently 5th in the Western Conference with 72 points, are often active at the deadline but have yet to take that next step in the playoffs.
Despite ranking 10th in the NHL in goals per game at 2.77, the Predators figure to be looking for a goal scoring forward following the addition of Gill. They are said to have some interest in Edmonton’s Ales Hemsky.
