Instant Analysis

This trade speaks to how highly the coaching staff regards Jonathon Blum. In just two games, Blum has earned the confidence of the coaching staff and leapfrogged Sulzer on the depth chart. Coach Trotz also spoke positively of Francis Bouillon's recovery. With this trade, next year's defensive corps also starts to take more shape. Blum, Bouillon, Franson, Klein, and Suter are all under contract for next season. Shea Weber (restricted free agent) will be back as well, giving the Preds a solid six man start. Sulzer is a pending unrestricted free agent. Shane O'Brien is also pending unrestricted free agent, but could be brought back to round out the group; he's added a physical element to the backline since being acquired at the start of the season. Or the Preds could turn to other options from within the system to fill out a projected top-seven at the NHL level; Teemu Laakso (a restricted free agent at season's end) plays a similar style to Sulzer and could fill in the reserve defenseman role next season, while Roman Josi and Ryan Ellis are both under contract next season and European up-and-comer Mattias Ekholm ('09 Draftee - likely to sign this summer and make his North American debut next season). With strong training camps all three young prospects could potentially play his way onto the Opening Night roster next year. --Jay Levin, NashvillePredators.com

Nashville, Tenn. (February 25, 2011) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has acquired a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2012 Entry Draft in exchange for defenseman Alexander Sulzer. Nashville will receive the seventh-round pick if Sulzer appears on the Florida’s Reserve List during the 2011-12 season.

Sulzer is one of a franchise-record 18 Predators draftees to appear for the club this season, posting four points (1g-3a) in 31 games. He was selected 92nd overall (third round) in the 2003 Entry Draft.

With just two games remaining in February, the Predators begin their “March” to the playoffs with a four-game road trip that will take them through Western Canada and make a stop in California before returning home to play 12 of their final 15 2010-11 games at Bridgestone Arena. With playoff hockey right around the corner, the Preds are offering a March to the Playoffs package so fans don’t have to miss a minute of the action. This special package provides fans four games for the price of three, a parking pass for each game and priority to purchase playoff tickets before the general public. Tickets for all home games are still available and may be purchased at the Bridgestone Arena box office, by calling (615) 770-PUCK (7825) or online at nashvillepredators.com.