Boom: The Nashville Predators and Toronto Maple Leafs lit up the trade-rumor world Sunday with a trade involving defenseman Cody Franson and veteran center Olli Jokinen.
It was expected the Preds would bolster their roster, and that the Leafs would make sweeping changes ahead of the March 2 trade deadline.
Why wait? Both teams got it done.
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The details:
Predators get: Franson and center Mike Santorelli.
Leafs get: Jokinen, prospect Brendan Leipsic and a first-round pick.
Franson, 27, and Santorelli, 29, both started their NHL careers with the Predators. GM David Poile brought in a defenseman with offensive upside and a versatile center who is an immediate upgrade for their depth.
Jokinen, an aging player with a $2.5 million contract, heads to Toronto as a short-term player. The Preds needed to move a contract because Franson is getting $3.3 million this season. Santorelli is on the hook for $1.5 million.
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Observers see Franson as a perfect fit for what the Preds need. In addition to his scoring and playmaking potential, he will add size to the defense and support Shea Weber and young blueliner Seth Jones. An already potent defense corps now is deeper and stronger.
Poile beat Western Conference challengers to the punch in landing Franson. That in itself makes the deal a winner.
Plus, as USA Today's Kevin Allen notes, making the deal two weeks before the deadline allows the Preds to see how Franson and Santorelli fit in coach Peter Laviolette's combinations.
Predators insider John Glennon of The Tennessean made a point of Leipsic's talent as displayed with the Preds' AHL Milwaukee affiliate but noted he lacks size at 5-9, 170 pounds.
At 36, Jokinen was a help with leadership but past his prime and a frequent scratch. Likely on his late legs in the NHL, Jokinen has six points this season. He will be a free agent at season's end.
And apparently he isn't happy with the deal. Reports Sunday suggested Jokinen was angling for the Leafs to include him. Despite playing in more than 1,200 NHL games, Jokinen has never been on a team that made a deep playoff run.