Predators Re-Sign Halischuk, Spaling, O'Reilly, Mueller

The Nashville Predators have announced that they have re-signed right wing Matt Halischuk to a two-year contract worth $1.425 million, left wing Nick Spaling to a two-year contract worth $2.1 million, center Cal O'Reilly to a one-year contract worth $1.05 million, and center Chris Mueller to a one-year, two-way contract. Halischuk's deal will pay him $600,000 next season and $825,000 in 2012-13, while Spaling will earn $1 million in 2011-12 and $1.1 million in 2012-13. Mueller's contract will pay him $550,000 at the NHL level and $65,000 at the AHL level. The signings came one day before the NHLPA's grievance toward the Predators was to be heard by an arbitrator. The grievance stated that Nashville did not give proper qualifying offers to their restricted free agents. The Predators were wise to re-sign all of their restricted free agents prior to the grievance hearing, as all of those players would have been deemed unrestricted free agents if the arbitrator ruled against the team. In 27 games last season with the Predators, Halischuk had four goals and eight assists for 12 points. He also appeared in 37 games with Milwaukee of the AHL, scoring 11 goals and 12 assists for 23 points. Spaling played in 74 games with Nashville, scoring eight goals and six assists for 14 points. He also appeared in four games with Milwaukee, scoring one goal and one assist. In 38 games last season with the Predators, O'Reilly had six goals and 12 assists for 18 points. He missed the last 44 games of the regular season and all 12 of Nashville's playoff games with a right leg injury. Mueller appeared in 15 games with the Predators, recording three assists. He also played in 67 games with Milwaukee, scoring 24 goals and 26 assists for 50 points.

These are decent depth signings for the Predators, as all four players bring plenty of skill to the forward lines. Halischuk and Spaling both bring some two-way skill and offensive upside to the team, as well as plenty of versatility. Look for both players to make the team full-time next season. O'Reilly provides plenty of playmaking skill and offensive ability at center and will look to rebound from his season ending leg injury. Mueller brings some offensive ability to the team, but will likely have to fight for a roster spot at training camp.

NHLPA Files Grievance Over Nashville Predators RFA Qualifications

According to tsn.ca, the National Hockey League Players' Association has filed a grievance against the Nashville Predators for what they believe are improper qualifying offers that were given to their restricted free agents. The Players' Association believes that Matt Halischuk, Linus Klasen, Sergei Kostitsyn, Chris Mueller, Cal O'Reilly, Nick Spaling, and Andreas Thuresson did not receive their qualifying offers in a timely fashion. Shea Weber was exempt from a qualifying offer because the team filed for salary arbitration with him, mainly to avoid a rival team from giving him an offer sheet. The NHLPA will ask independent arbitrator George Nicholau to expedite his ruling so the players will know by July 1 whether or not they will be restricted or unrestricted free agents. If Nicholau sides with the NHLPA, all seven of the above-mentioned players will become unrestricted free agents not subject to a right to match or draft choice compensation. The league maintains that the seven players were given timely qualifications and will be restricted free agents on July 1. The Chicago Blackhawks were found guilty of sending out improper qualifications to some of their restricted free agents in 2009 and were forced to quickly sign those players to avoid losing them to unrestricted free agency. The New Jersey Devils were also guilty of improper qualifications many years ago. If the arbitrator sides with the NHLPA, this would not be good news for the Predators, as several of the aforementioned players enjoyed fine seasons in 2010-11 and will look to build upon their success in expanded roles in 2011-12. However, if the Predators were to lose any or all of these players to unrestricted free agency, it wouldn't be a complete death blow to the team, as they would likely find suitable replacements for all of them on the trade or free agent markets or from within their own system. Hopefully the Predators will be able to get the issue resolved without losing any players.

Devils Acquire Center Jason Arnott from Predators

The New Jersey Devils announced today that they have acquired center Jason Arnott from the Nashville Predators in exchange for prospect right wing Matt Halischuk and a second round pick in the 2011 Entry Draft. This will be Arnott's second stint with the Devils, where he previously played from 1997 to 2002. In 63 games last season with the Predators, Arnott had 19 goals and 27 assists for 46 points. In 1099 career NHL games with the Edmonton Oilers, New Jersey Devils, Dallas Stars, and Nashville Predators, he has 383 goals and 490 assists for 873 points. Halischuk played in 20 games last season with the Devils, scoring one goal and one assist. He also appeared in 32 games with Lowell of the AHL, scoring 11 goals and 11 assists for 22 points. Not a bad trade for the Devils, as Arnott still brings plenty of offensive skill, toughness, and leadership to the team despite being limited by injuries in recent seasons. Again, the Predators are essentially making a cost-cutting trade to help save money, although it was unlikely Arnott would have remained in Nashville beyond next season. By trading Arnott and his $4.5 million salary, it gives the team some salary cap space to re-sign Dustin Boyd, Patric Hornqvist, Denis Grebeshkov, Cody Franson, and Ryan Parent. Halischuk brings some two-way skill and offensive upside to the team, so it's possible he could be in the lineup next season. Plus, at $875,000, he's a very affordable winger. Given the departures of star players in Dan Hamhuis and Jason Arnott both on the same day, one can't help but wonder if the Predators will attempt to retain defensemen Shea Weber and Ryan Suter when their contracts expire in 2011 and 2012, respectively.