I think he's Bouillon insurance. Little risk, high-reward. Very underrated, very mobile defenseman, good offensive instincts, plays a simple and effective defensive game. Undersized though and can get pushed around by bigger forwards...
Hillen stands a better chance of seeing time in Nashville than Sloan does...
I actually picked up Hillen on my fantasy team last year. He puts up numbers all across the board. Of course I've only actually seen him play a handful of times
I liked Hillen a lot. I wish we kept him for depth. His biggest downside is his size as he is not physical at all. But the guy can skate and is pretty good at bringing the puck through the neutral zone. Excellent depth signing you guys will like him when a call up is needed.
Good signing, much better than the Sloan signing. Haven't seen this mentioned, but Hillen played for USA at the world champs this past spring and showed well. Wit Poile and Fenton's deep involvement in team USA, the likely liked what they saw.
The cupboard in Milwaukee took a hit this summer with a few of the vet d-men moving on in free agency. This move and the Sloan signing just give the Ads a couple more guys for the season and if they happen to crack the Preds roster, so be it. It's now Hillen, Laakso, Josi, Ellis, and Ekholm competing for the 5-7 positions on the Preds roster.
The cupboard in Milwaukee took a hit this summer with a few of the vet d-men moving on in free agency. This move and the Sloan signing just give the Ads a couple more guys for the season and if they happen to crack the Preds roster, so be it. It's now Hillen, Laakso, Josi, Ellis, and Ekholm competing for the 5-7 positions on the Preds roster.
funny, I see Nashville bringing in a lot of vet D presence right at the talent/roster spot level of Ryan Ellis or Roman Josi. Possible trade of either?
funny, I see Nashville bringing in a lot of vet D presence right at the talent/roster spot level of Ryan Ellis or Roman Josi. Possible trade of either?
I don't think so. Hillen is Bouillon insurance and likely pushes Laakso for the No. 7 spot if/when Frankie is healthy. Sloan was signed to play in Milwaukee and replace Aaron Johnson on the depth chart. Lebda was never in the equation and was simply a cheaper buyout than Lombardi was.
Who else do you see being brought in? If Ekholm doesn't make the roster out of camp he has the option of heading back to the SEL for the season. I'm not sure where you think this depth is coming from?
We seem to have 1-2 spots open for maybe 4 guys. Injuries will occur over the course of the season, depth is critical to being successful over an 82 game stretch and hopefully late into the summer...
Nashville
Shea Weber
Ryan Suter
Kevin Klein
Jon Blum Francois Bouillon (IR?)
Jack Hillen
Ryan Ellis
Roman Josi
Mattias Ekholm
Teemu Laakso
Milwaukee
Scott Ford
Blake Sloan
Victor Bartley
Jeff Foss Jack Hillen
Teemu Laakso
Ryan Ellis
Roman Josi
Mattias Ekholm (SEL clause)
Charles-Olivier Roussel
Taylor Aronson (can be returned to WHL)
Players listed in italics will sort out in training camp and throughout the season...
I don't think so. Hillen is Bouillon insurance and likely pushes Laakso for the No. 7 spot if/when Frankie is healthy. Sloan was signed to play in Milwaukee and replace Aaron Johnson on the depth chart. Lebda was never in the equation and was simply a cheaper buyout than Lombardi was.
Who else do you see being brought in? If Ekholm doesn't make the roster out of camp he has the option of heading back to the SEL for the season. I'm not sure where you think this depth is coming from?
We seem to have 1-2 spots open for maybe 4 guys. Injuries will occur over the course of the season, depth is critical to being successful over an 82 game stretch and hopefully late into the summer...
I see it as this.
1) If the Preds are to make a move for a T6 forward they will have to move prospects Where is Nashville's strength? Defensemen. Where will the cost be paid for that? In the defenseman position.
2) I truely believe that it will be a package of prospects to upgrade a current forward. Yes most say that the Preds don't have enough T6 forwards as is BUT they need an upgrade more than numbers. I would not be surprised to see Colin Wilson being the main part of an upgrade of his spot on the roster.
The signings give not only the depth needed to keep up with injuries but also be flexable to make moves.
1) If the Preds are to make a move for a T6 forward they will have to move prospects Where is Nashville's strength? Defensemen. Where will the cost be paid for that? In the defenseman position.
2) I truely believe that it will be a package of prospects to upgrade a current forward. Yes most say that the Preds don't have enough T6 forwards as is BUT they need an upgrade more than numbers. I would not be surprised to see Colin Wilson being the main part of an upgrade of his spot on the roster.
The signings give not only the depth needed to keep up with injuries but also be flexable to make moves.
Who says that? I think we're a minimum of 1 legitimate, proven top-6 (preferably top-3) forward from being a contender entering the season...
I agree that it'll likely be a package of picks and prospects, but also agree that Colin Wilson and/or Ryan Suter will be used as trade bait to acquire said piece. Preferably it is not Suter, but realistically sometimes you have to give to get and acquiring a player of that level is going to hurt.
I get what you're saying, but I just don't necessarily see either Ellis or Josi being our prime trade assets at this moment...
Who says that? I think we're a minimum of 1 legitimate, proven top-6 (preferably top-3) forward from being a contender entering the season...
I agree that it'll likely be a package of picks and prospects, but also agree that Colin Wilson and/or Ryan Suter will be used as trade bait to acquire said piece. Preferably it is not Suter, but realistically sometimes you have to give to get and acquiring a player of that level is going to hurt.
I get what you're saying, but I just don't necessarily see either Ellis or Josi being our prime trade assets at this moment...
Could be Blum. Could be Ellis. Could be Suter. i see GMDP adding assets in the Defenseman position to make a move. Ellis and Josi would seem to be the sexy (Cheap) options. Weber and Suter the sexy (Expensive) options.
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