Predators rumor updates

If this article is to be believed, then nothing you are about to read is to be believed - but hey, i don't mind. That article has given me about 350+ unique visitors in the last week and is yet another place where one of my photos was used in a publication. Still waiting for the AP to call me.

Anyway....

Here's the latest update from Eklund on rumors around the remaining Unrestricted Free Agents. Interestingly, Jeremy Roenick hasn't signed with anyone, but is suddenly off the list all together, much less off the list for the Predators.

1. Peter Forsberg (Nashville, Ottawa, Vancouver, Colorado, Philadelphia)
8. Mike Johnson (Nashville,Phoenix, NYI, NJ)
20. Janne Niinimaa (Columbus, Detroit, Nashville )
21. Jan Bulis (Columbus, Nashville, Pittsburgh, Washington)

Also interesting is that last time (just a few weeks ago) Mike Johnson was listed as the 32nd best free agent left, well after Jan Bulis (at 21st last time). Jan Bulis didn't move, but suddenly Mike Johnson is the 8th best free agent left. Been working out in the off-season?

The new guy on the list for Nashville, Janne Niinimaa, isn't very exciting looking. Only played in 41 games last year and ended up with a -13 plus/minus rating. Not what you're looking for in a defenseman, especially since we have Kevin Klein, etc. all coming up strong from the minors. So, i'm gonna call foul on this prediction from Ek. I hope it is totally hooey anyway.

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In related news: great article about new Predators Jed Ortmeyer and how he fits the Predators is in today's New York Sun (Ortmeyer came from the Islanders last year).