Flyers Acquire Hamhuis from Predators for Parent

The Philadelphia Flyers added some defensive depth today by acquiring the rights to defenseman Dan Hamhuis from the Nashville Predators in exchange for defenseman Ryan Parent. The Flyers also received a conditional seventh round draft pick in 2011 from the Predators. Hamhuis is eligible for unrestricted free agency on July 1 with the Flyers now owning his negotiating rights. In 78 games last season with the Predators, Hamhuis had five goals and 19 assists for 24 points. In 483 career NHL games, all with Nashville, he has 32 goals and 129 assists for 161 points. Parent will begin his second stint with the Predators, while previously a part of the organization in 2007. He was traded to the Flyers with Scottie Upshall in the Peter Forsberg trade. In 48 games last season with the Flyers, Parent had one goal and two assists for three points. This is a good trade for the Flyers if they can get Hamhuis sign to a contract. He's a decent puck moving defenseman who can play a great defensive game. If the Flyers get him signed to a contract, they will have one of the best defensive units in the Eastern Conference, which already boasts Chris Pronger, Kimmo Timonen, Braydon Coburn, and Matt Carle. For the Predators, they get a defensive defenseman in Parent who can also play a physical game. However, this trade highlights the Predators' financial woes, who are gaining a reputation for letting talent depart via trade or free agency in order to save money. With the team operating in this manner, it will do nothing to help draw fans to games and will only cause their attendance figures to dwindle even further.