NY Rangers Acquire Thuresson from Predators for Dupont

The New York Rangers have announced that they have acquired right wing Andreas Thuresson from the Nashville Predators in exchange for center Brodie Dupont. In three games last season with the Predators, Thuresson had no points. He also appeared in 76 games with Milwaukee of the AHL, scoring 14 goals and 24 assists for 38 points. Dupont appeared in one game last season with the Rangers, going pointless, and also played in 72 games with Connecticut of the AHL, scoring 14 goals and 31 assists for 45 points. This is really just a depth move for both teams, as both players will likely see quite a bit of time in the minors next season. Although, Thuresson and Dupont could secure fourth line roles if they're impressive enough at training camp in September.

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.

Predators Sign Thuresson to One-Year Contract

The Nashville Predators announced today that they have signed right wing Andreas Thuresson to a one-year, two-way contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. He would have been a restricted free agent on July 1. In 22 games last season with the Predators, his first in the NHL, Thuresson had one goal and two assists for three points. He also appeared in 50 games with Milwaukee of the AHL, scoring 14 goals and 19 assists for 33 points. Not a bad depth signing for the Predators, as Thuresson has plenty of offensive potential. He is also a very hard working forward who is good at killing penalties, so he should be a good fit to the third line and penalty kill units next season.