Predators Acquire O'Brien, Gendur from Canucks for Parent, Andersson

The Nashville Predators announced today that they have acquired defenseman Shane O'Brien and right wing Dan Gendur from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for defenseman Ryan Parent and right wing Jonas Andersson. According to USA Today, the Canucks placed Parent on waivers after the trade. Parent was originally acquired by the Predators in the June 19 move that sent Dan Hamhuis' negotiating rights to the Philadelphia Flyers. He would later sign as a free agent with the Canucks. In 65 games last season with the Canucks, O'Brien had two goals and six assists for eight points and 79 penalty minutes. Parent appeared in 48 games last season with the Flyers, scoring one goal and two assists. Gendur split the 2009-10 season with Victoria and Johnstown of the ECHL, while Andersson played with Dynamo Minsk of the KHL.

This isn't a bad move for the Predators, as O'Brien will add lots of grit and toughness to their blueline, while Parent gives the Canucks a capable defensive defenseman. Gendur and Andersson are just depth players who will be destined for the minors this season. For the Canucks, the trade helps them cut some salary to help them get below the $59.4 salary cap by 3 PM EDT on Wednesday. O'Brien had also been in Canucks' head coach Alain Vigneault's dog house for weight infractions and his publicized forays into the Vancouver nightlife, amongst other factors as well. With the Canucks needing to get below the salary cap, O'Brien was the odd man out on the blueline and it should come as no surprise that they dealt him.

Predators Re-Sign Defenseman Ryan Parent

The Nashville Predators have announced that they have re-signed defenseman Ryan Parent to a two-year contract worth $1.85 million. The deal will pay him $850,000 in 2010-11 and $1 million in 2011-12. He was acquired by the Predators from the Philadelphia Flyers on June 19 in exchange for the negotiating rights to defenseman Dan Hamhuis. In 48 games last season with the Flyers, Parent had one goal and two assists for three points. He missed seven games early in the 2009-10 season with a groin injury and 24 games this past spring with a lower body injury. Not a bad depth signing for the Predators, as Parent is good on the penalty kill and is a capable defensive defenseman. He should be a good fit on the third defensive pairing in Nashville.

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.