Nashville Predators trade David Legwand to Detroit Red Wings
(Editor's note: This story originally published on March 5, 2014).
The Predators let go of some history at the NHL trade deadline and looked to the future.
They dealt center David Legwand — their first draft pick, their all-time leading scorer and their co-leading scorer this season — to the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for forward Patrick Eaves, prospect forward Calle Jarnkrok and a third-round pick in this year's draft.
It was an emotional move for the Predators, and a watershed day for the franchise as it tries to move into the next stage of its evolution.
"It was a business decision. It was pretty much a sport decision and a mutual decision on both sides," Legwand told The Tennessean in a phone interview. "I obviously gave it all I had. I think some things could have gone a little better a couple of those years.
"And a couple of those teams, from 2005-06 through 2006-07, you wanted to win, you wanted to have a Stanley Cup go down Broadway, and that didn't happen in the first 15 years."
The 33-year-old Legwand, who has played in 956 games with the Predators, had to waive his no-trade clause so Nashville could make the deal. The Detroit-area native was in the final year of his contract, meaning he would have been an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.
"David never asked for a trade. David was certainly hoping at the end of the day that we could find a way to sign him," Predators general manager David Poile said. "There was not a clear path to do that. … I did what I had to do for the franchise today, but these are always tough decisions when you're with somebody for a long period of time."
It's the second consecutive season the Predators traded one of their franchise-leading scorers. Last year they dealt forward Martin Erat at the deadline.
Nashville also made a more minor trade, sending goaltender Devan Dubnyk to Montreal for future considerations, but the Legwand deal has much bigger ramifications for now, the future and for the player known as Mr. Predator:
What it means for now
The Predators are acknowledging that making the playoffs this season is a long shot. Poile still held out hope, but even he understood it would take a lot.
"It's a challenge to our team — a team that is playing well," he said.
If they had come roaring out of the Olympic break — and won their first three games rather than just one of the first three — then maybe this trade doesn't occur and the Predators would have been a buyer.
Instead, they had to be a seller, and Legwand was the most tradeable asset. Going into Wednesday's games, the Predators were six points out of the postseason with 20 games left. It's not an insurmountable margin, but there are four teams ahead of them in the push for the final wild-card slot in the Western Conference.
Legwand was the team's leading scorer and its most dangerous offensive player this season. He played in every situation — offensive and defensive, power play and penalty kill.
Trading such a player and not getting a similar talent in return gets you no closer to the postseason.
Colin Wilson probably will see a bigger role at center in Legwand's absence.
What it means for the future
The Predators received a prospect they said they were high on in Jarnkrok.
Although his numbers with Grand Rapids of the American Hockey League were not huge — 36 points in 57 games — he was a second-round pick and the Red Wings have been solid at developing their young talent.
"I think he's a player who has a really good chance to compete for a job next year," Poile said. "This kid has terrific hockey sense, great hands. He's a really good skater and a really good competitor."
Eaves is just a throw-in. Who knows what will happen with the third-round pick.
But the Predators were able to trade an asset they probably weren't going to re-sign in Legwand and got a youngster who will play in the NHL someday.
The move also opens up the Predators to make a run at a top free agent this summer. Most enticing would be Colorado's Paul Stastny, who played well with Nashville's leading goal scorer, Craig Smith, at the world championships last summer.
The Predators need to make some noise in the offseason via free agency or trade for the Legwand deal to have true value.
"I want to have a different look with our forwards," Poile said. "We have to play a little bit differently or they have to score a little bit … some way we have to score a little bit more."
Defenseman Shea Weber is 28 and entering the prime of his career. Goaltender Pekka Rinne is 31. Next year could be a great opportunity for a deep playoff run if the Predators can acquire the right assets.
"The next two or three years, if we can get our team up to where we want, I don't see us having any age problems, whether it's Shea or Pekka," Poile said.
What it means for Legwand
This is a great trade for Legwand. He's from the Detroit area (Grosse Pointe Woods) and dreamed of playing for the Red Wings.
Furthermore, Red Wings GM Ken Holland said Legwand would play on the top line with Johan Franzen and Gustav Nyquist until Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk and Darren Helm get healthy.
"He's good defensively. He's a guy that puts up 50-60 points and he's an established, legitimate NHL player who can kill penalties and can play against anybody from the other team," Holland said. "That's sort of been his roles, so hopefully we get to do the call to the league soon and we can really talk names."
Legwand is also thrust into the playoff race — an environment where he always excelled — and will play with elite first-line players for the first time since the Predators exited the 2004-05 lockout.
"Obviously Franzen is a big body with big hands, and Nyquist can score and make plays and do those things around the puck and all that stuff. It should be fun," Legwand said. "I've talked to everyone up there and I'm excited to get up there and play."
Legwand is likely to take the ice for his hometown team today when the Red Wings play host to the Avalanche.
Reach Josh Cooper at 615-726-8917 and on Twitter @joshuacooper.
NEXT GAME
BLUES at PREDATORS
When: 7 p.m.
TV/radio: Fox TN / 102.5-FM
LEGWAND'S MILESTONE MOMENTS
David Legwand leaves the Predators as the franchise's all-time leader in games, points, goals, game-winning goals and assists. Here are three memorable moments from his 14 seasons with Nashville:
April 20, 2012: Scored the series-winning goal against Detroit — his hometown team and Nashville's longtime nemesis — in the first round of the playoffs.
April 11, 2004: Scored a short-handed goal against Detroit in Game 3 of the playoffs, leading Nashville to its first postseason victory.
Dec. 23, 2000: Converted the first overtime penalty-shot in NHL history, leading the Predators to a win over the Rangers in Madison Square Garden.
NEW PREDATORS
Players acquired in the David Legwand trade:
PATRICK EAVES
Position: Forward
Age: 29
Drafted: First round, 29th overall, by Calgary in 2003
This season: 2 goals, 3 assists in 25 games played
Career high: 32 points in 73 games with Ottawa in 2006-07
Career totals: 439 games, 146 points (74 goals, 72 assists)
CALLE JARNKROK
Position: Forward
Age: 22
Drafted: Second round, 51st overall, by Detroit in 2010
This season: 13 goals, 23 assists with Grand Rapids of the American Hockey League
Noteworthy: Top center in Red Wings' system, according to HockeysFuture.com