Roto Exclusive : Guest Contributions and Featured Articles
Roto Exclusive : Guest Contributions and Featured Articles
Roto Exclusive : Guest Contributions and Featured Articles
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As everyone who follows hockey is quite aware this has been a significant off-season in projecting the<br />
future direction of the Nashville Predators. While everyone’s major focus has been directed toward the<br />
blue line, the other changes should not be disregarded. Perhaps the most overlooked change is the loss<br />
of Jordan Tootoo <strong>and</strong> the physical presence he brought day in <strong>and</strong> night to the Preds. Now is the time to<br />
take a look <strong>and</strong> see who is likely to fill his role.<br />
First of all who is Jordan Tootoo? Drafted by the Preds in<br />
2001, the 5’9” 199 lb played the better part of eight seasons<br />
for the Preds. Last season he produced a career high 30<br />
points, a team leading PIM (92) <strong>and</strong> the team’s second<br />
highest hits (151) with an average ice time of only 13:09.<br />
Those numbers guaranteed him a decent raise for the<br />
upcoming season <strong>and</strong> ironically pushed him out of cost<br />
conscious Nashville <strong>and</strong> to division rival Detroit where he<br />
signed a three year, 5.7 mil contract. Tootoo has been a fan<br />
favorite in Smashville based upon his energy level, resounding hits <strong>and</strong> willingness to defend his<br />
teammates. Although he will be missed, the Preds have an uncanny knack of coming up with<br />
complementary players to replace departing ones.<br />
C<strong>and</strong>idates who should benefit most by the departure of Tootoo should include foremost Brian Yip <strong>and</strong><br />
Brian McGratten. The 6’ 1” 195 lbs Yip was claimed off waivers this past January <strong>and</strong> in the 25 games he<br />
played for the Preds recorded 37 hits <strong>and</strong> scored 7 points. Over an 82 game season that equates to 121<br />
hits <strong>and</strong> 23 points. With a salary of 0.750 million for next season, Yip easily fits into the Preds’ future<br />
game plan for this season.<br />
McGratten at 6’ 4” 235 lbs is mostly considered a journeyman bruiser who gets limited ice-time. He<br />
doesn’t have much of a history of a scorer but can certainly defend his teammates <strong>and</strong> will make up part<br />
of the PIM shortfall. It is also, however, interesting to note that McGratten was given a one way 0.600<br />
mil contract on July 1st. In addition, McGratten was quoted in a recent Jim Diamond article as “I’ve had<br />
good talks with Barry <strong>and</strong> he wants to play me in some different situations next year, That kind of puts<br />
the onus on me a little bit to be in the best shape I can <strong>and</strong> to be as ready as I can for an opportunity<br />
that could be there. I am looking forward to the challenge <strong>and</strong> hopefully get some more games <strong>and</strong><br />
some different situations than I did last year.”<br />
Other dark horse c<strong>and</strong>idates who could emerge out of<br />
camp include Austin Watson <strong>and</strong> Daniel Bang. Other players<br />
likely to benefit with increased ice time <strong>and</strong> production<br />
include Craig Smith <strong>and</strong> Matt Halischuk.<br />
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