Tag: Blake Geoffrion

Gaustad and Gill are Fond of Nashville

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Paul Gaustad mentally prepares himself before a game.

Paul Gaustad and Hal Gill may have only been with the Predators since the Trade Deadline (February), but both newcomers have become quite fond of the Music City; and the fans have become quite fond of them as well.

Hal Gill was acquired on February 17th from the Montreal Canadiens for Blake Geoffrion, Robert Slaney, and a 2nd round draft pick. With Gill’s extraordinary penalty kill abilities and his experience holding up the Stanley Cup, Nashville knew Gill would be a key player to have during the playoffs. Gill immediately fell into line with team, finding a connection with fellow defenseman, Roman Josi. It’s honestly hard to remember that Hal has only been with the Predators since February.

Paul Gaustad was the last acquired player at the TD, being picked up from the Buffalo Sabres for a first round pick in the draft. A blind-sided trade, most fans (on both Buffalo and Nashville) did not see this trade coming, but due to his inquisitive skill at face-offs, Paul Gaustad was another key component to Nashville’s playoff run. Like Gill, Gaustad slipped in with the team and had no trouble making a name for himself in the southern franchise.

Both experts in their given skills, Paul Gaustad and Hal Gill helped propel the Nashville Predators throughout the end of the regular season and the playoffs, gaining fans along the way. However, now that the off-season is in full swing for Nashville, what will happen to the two newcomers?

Keeping these two assets (who would definitely help in the regular season) comes down to one thing: Money. Of course it comes down to money. The Predators are facing one of the toughest off-seasons ever in their franchise, with many of their key players facing both restricted and unrestricted free agency, including Ryan Suter, Shea Weber, Jordin Tootoo, and Sergei Kostitsyn. As such, a lack of a “proper” paycheck may send many players packing, including Hal Gill and Paul Gaustad… or would it?

Per a few sources, Paul Gaustad has made mention that, if in case the Predators were willing to sign him, he’d be willing to take a pay cut. Sources have also claimed the same has been said of 37-year-old defenseman, Hal Gill. The Predators organization has been considered on of the greatest in the NHL, but would players seriously be willing to take pay cuts to stay?

Although Sergei Kostitsyn is wanting to be signed to a longer contract in Nashville, it’s probable that if David Poile offers him yet another one-year contract, SK74 will take it, especially if his brother, Andrei Kostitsyn, is signed as well.

With players who haven’t been in Nashville as long as other veterans, it’s astonishing that they’d be willing to forego a larger paycheck just to stay with a particular organization. Either those players have a strong faith in Nashville and wish to see a Stanley Cup come to this city, or they just really, really love their sport… we’re going to say both.

Makes you wonder why Suter and Weber don’t want to just go ahead and sign… That’s a subject for another post.

So, for all you Paul Gaustad and Hal Gill fans, good news! These two have made it quite apparent that they have found a soft spot for Nashville and its fans in such a short amount of time, wether they’re willing to take a pay cut or not.

No matter what, you have to admit, this looks very, very good for Nashville and its franchise. Players are willing to make the roster no matter what it takes. Obviously, Poile, Trotz, and the rest of the organization is doing something right in the NHL.

 

Preds Player Profile: Hal Gill

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Welcome to Smashville, Gill!

Defenseman Hal Gill will take the ice tonight with his new teammates of the Nashville Predators against the Dallas Stars tonight. Gill has been apart of the NHL for quite a while, so to celebrate his arrival to the Predators, let’s get you a little aquatinted with the 36 year old!

Hal Gill was born in Concord, Massachusetts on April 6, 1975. The 6’7″ defenseman was drafted by the Boston Bruins in the 8th Round (207th overall) in the 1993 NHL Draft, but spent four years playing at Providence College. Before entering college, Gill was a well-known quarterback for Nashoba Regional High School in Bolton, MA!

Hal Gill finally hit the NHL during the 1997-98 season with the Bruins and played over 600 regular-season games with Boston before turning to Lukko in the Finnish SM-liiga league when the 2004-05 NHL season was in lock out. In July of 2006, Gill was picked up by the Toronto Maple Leafs, averaging his best numbers in his career. In February of 2008, Hal Gill was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a second round draft pick in the 2008 Draft and a fifth round pick in the 2009 NHL Draft.

While in Pittsburgh, Hal Gill picked up what could possibly be the most important aspect to the Nashville Predators. On June 12, 2009, Hal Gill held up the Stanley Cup after defeating the Detroit Red Wings. Less than a month later, Gill signed a two-year, $4.5 million contract with the Montreal Canadiens. He would then resign for another year during the 2010-11 season.

And then that leads to Nashville! On February 17, 2012, Nashville traded Blake Geoffrion, Robert Slaney, and a second-round pick for both Gill and a conditional fifth-round pick in the 2012 NHL Draft.

Hal Gill grew up in Bolton, Massachusetts and has three children (son, two daughters) with wife, Anne.

Other notable facts about Hal Gill include:

  • Ranks 14th in the NHL with 122 block shots this season.
  • Played 53 games this season with the Canadiens, eight points (1 goal, 7 assists) and 29 penalty minutes.
  • Ranks 3rd in the league’s penalty killers.
  • Played his 1,000 game with the Canadiens on October 20, 2011 against former team the Pittsburgh Penguins.
  • Appeared back-to-back in the Stanley Cup finals in 2008 and 2009, winning with the Penguins in 2009.
  • Sergei Kostitsyn was a fellow teammate during the 2009-10 season at Montreal.

Hal Gill brings with him to Nashville stamina and experience, exactly what the Predators need amongst the young, rookie-filled team. With his Stanley Cup win under his belt, Gill will provide the knowledge the Predators need to claw closer to the ultimate prize in the NHL.

Welcome to Nashville, Hal Gill!

Until then,
GO PREDS.

(Photo credit of: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images North America)

Datsyuk’s last Second Goal saves Wings, Preds lose 2-1

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Pavel Datsyuk keeps the game from going into overtime at 19:54.

This is one of the few and rare times we will use a picture of the opposing team to headline our post game write-ups. However, Detroit’s Pavel Datsyuk gets the rare opportunity only because he kept the game from going into overtime and sealing Detroit’s 22nd consecutive home game win. The Predators and the Red Wings both put up a tough fight, but it was Datsyuk’s 19:54 goal that saved the Red Wings in the end. Here are the highlights from last night’s game in the Motor City:

KEY POINTS:

  • Patric Hornqvist has now been placed on the IR due to his upper-body injury. Brian McGrattan is also feeling the effects of his injury, finding himself once again on the scratched list. Jack Hillen was also scratched from the game also.
  • Bittersweet news for the Predators on Friday as the Predators and the Montreal Canadiens came to a trade agreement. The Predators acquired defensemen Hal Gill, but for the price of a one Blake Geoffrion along with Milwaukee Admiral Robert Slaney. Along with Gill, the Predators were also given a conditional 5th round pick in this year’s draft. Gill met with his new teammates last night in Detroit, but will officially dawn the gold jersey against the Dallas Stars on Sunday night.
  • Both teams pushed hard in the first period, giving both goalies a run for their money. It was Johan Franzen who struck a nerve first at 12:44 with a wrist shot passed Pekka, his twenty-third goal of the season.
  • The second period only produced one goal as well, but this time under the Predators’ control. At 14:58, Nick Spaling gained his ninth goal of the season with a wrist shot passed Joey MacDonald. Spals was assisted by solely by Jordin Tootoo.
  • After 19 minutes of back and forth play, it seemed as if the game was going to go into overtime. Pavel Datsyuk had different intentions, tripping up the Predators, and wrist shooting one right passed Pekka to seal the 22nd consecutive home game for the Detroit Red Wings, extending their record-setting achievement. Sadly, yet another thing for Red Wing fans to run their mouths about…
  • Pekka did exceptionally well, as always, blocking 29 of 31 shots on goal. Also, only one Predator found time in the penalty box, which was rookie Ryan Ellis in the 1st period with a hooking penalty.

Since the All-Star break, the Predators have been lacking just a wee bit in the winning department, still looking a little groggy from that one week of freedom. However, with the recent acquiring of veteran Hal Gill, the Predators might (and hopefully) get a good grip of playoff potential reality.

The Predators continue their trek against Western Conference rivals on Sunday against the Dallas Stars at 6PM. The Predators have not been able to take out the Stars at all this season, so a nice win in Dallas might just be what the Predators need to get back on the winning train.

Until then,
GO PREDS.