Interesting Speculation from Nashville
The Tennessean is downplaying speculation that the Predators are set to become a poor team following the potential losses of key players Kariya, Forsberg and the recent trades of Hartnell and Timonen. They report that it is not likely that the Predators will move players such as Arnott, Vokoun or Sullivan to further reduce their payroll even further.
HTR believes that the speculation is meant to drum up hope in the Nashville area that not all is lost with their hockey team. Although they put a positive slant on their team and indicate that they have many young players who will be able to step into their lineup next season any outsider looking at the team can easily see that the Predators will not be as good next year without their top players.
At the bottom of the article is it mentioned that Nashville is going to be talking to Kariya about resigning in the next week or so but it is also mentioned that Kariya wants to play on a competitive team. It may be tough for management to convince Kariya that Nashville is going to be competitive next season.
http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070620/SPORTS02/706200428/1028