Does Nashville's early playoff exit enhance Red Wings' chances of land
If you’re a Detroit Red Wings fan, you’re delighted that the Phoenix Coyotes eliminated the Nashville Predators in the second round of the playoffs on Monday.
And not just because you’re upset that the Predators ousted Detroit in the first round – although that probably has something to do with it.
Instead, you’re happy because you believe the early exit for a Nashville team that was all in this year to win the Stanley Cup will enhance the Red Wings’ chances to land impending unrestricted free-agent defenseman Ryan Suter.
It certainly doesn’t hurt.
It has been widely speculated around the NHL that the further the Predators advance, the more likely Suter would stay. Perhaps the disappointing end will prompt him to leave.
It might boil down to what team he believes has the better chance of being a consistent Cup contender the next several seasons.
Nashville’s depth was one of the reasons it dispatched Detroit in five games. The Predators won’t be as deep going forward. They have 12 players signed for next season at $32.1 million.
They must sign defenseman and captain Shea Weber, the Norris Trophy finalist who made $7.5 million this season and is a restricted free agent. Their list of unrestricted free agents includes forwards Andrei Kostitsyn, Paul Gaustad, Jordin Tootoo and Brandon Yip and defensemen Hal Gill and Francis Bouillon.
http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2012/05/red_wings_29.html