Tennessean article - Nashville, Tennessee - Saturday, 01/13/07 - Tennessean.com
Looking ahead: Predators owner Craig Leipold said he likes what he sees on the team's roster but isn't ruling out making an upgrade before the Feb. 27 NHL trading deadline.
"We don't have many holes,'' said Leipold, who met Thursday with General Manager David Poile and Predators coaches regarding possible trades.
Leipold said he believes the price of acquisitions this season might be more difficult because the earlier-than-usual deadline will mean more teams will still be in the running for the playoffs.
"In usual years, there might be 10 or 12 teams who are saying, "OK, we're out, let's start to plan for next year,''' Leipold said. "There may be four teams among all 30 in that position. So the price to get a player will be higher and the number of players available on the market is much less.''
Leipold said if the Predators do make a deal, it would likely be for a stay-at-home kind of defenseman.
"The issue we have on defense is our experience, but the strength we have is our youth and speed,'' he said. "So many times what comes with experience is lack of speed. So we'll have to take a look at that and see who's available.''
Bad stretch: Defenseman Marek Zidlicky survived a tough stretch in the third period when he made two questionable plays that cold have turned the tide against the Predators.
Less than two minutes into the period, as he approached the Blue Jackets' zone, he let forward Jason Chimera take the puck away. Chimera waltzed to the other end, going at Vokoun on his own. But he missed the net after making a left to right move.
"That was not a real good play. If that turns into a goal, that turns the whole momentum of the game right there;, it's a 2-1 game," Trotz said.
Less than three minutes after the bad turnover, Zidlicky was whistled for a high stick well behind the play as Nashville threatened to score.