In one of those moves that could lead to more moves around the league, the Nashville Predators have acquired defenseman Denis Grebeshkov in exchange for a second round draft pick, according to TSN.
Nashville Acquires Denis Grebeshkov From Edmonton
Dirk Hoag, SBN’s writer at our Predators site, On the Forecheck, believes that the deal could be the precursor to the team trading soon-to-be-free-agent defenseman Dan Hamhuis.
This is a significant addition to the Nashville defense corps, and likely clears the way for a Dan Hamhuis trade heading into Wednesday's deadline. Preds GM David Poile has often said that moving Hamhuis (who will be a free agent this summer) would be predicated on acquiring a veteran defenseman to fill his role.
Grebeshkov, who makes just over $3 million this season and will be a restricted free agent this summer, is a dynamic defender who might be able to add punch to what has been a lifeless Nashville power play.
As mentioned here earlier, the Flyers are rumored to be in the running for Hamhuis.
We might be able to presume that Edmonton fans won’t appreciate the return they’re getting for Grebeshkov. Earlier this morning before the deal was made, Derek Zona at SBN’s The Copper & Blue said the following about Grebeshkov’s trade value:
High. High round pick, impact roster forward, high-end prospect
A mid-second round pick is not the return Zona and Oilers fans were hoping for, it appears.
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