For Kyle Turris, it was a pretty simple decision to come to terms on a contract extension with the Nashville Predators as a prerequisite to the Preds acquiring the veteran center as part of a three-team trade that included Matt Duchene Sunday night.
"I was very apparent that things were not going to work out in Ottawa," Turris told reporters on a conference call Monday. "Nashville looks like it's going to be such a great fit, and we're so excited at this opportunity to join the Preds on a six-year deal."
David Poile, Nashville's general manager, wanted Turris badly and pursued him for quite some time. However, when the pieces were put in place for this mega three-team trade that also involved the Senators and Avalanche, Poile needed to know he was not just getting a rental player. Poile asked for, and received, permission from the Sens to negotiate a contract extension with Turris, due to become an unrestricted free agent July 1.
When the Predators came in at six year, $36 million, Turris readily agreed to the contract, and, ultimately, the trade went through.
"It's an interesting position to be in," admitted Turris. "My wife and I talked about places, possibilities, and we were really excited about Nashville. We felt like Nashville would be a great fit and I'm real excited to be part of something great here."
Many believed that Turris and the Senators eventually would find a way to get a deal done, with Ottawa GM Pierre Dorion even admitting earlier on Monday that he expected the club to keep Turris and continuing negotiating once the season started. However, lack of progress in contract negotiations, coupled with Dorion's desire to make Duchene a Senator, opened the door for this complicated deal to be made.
"The negotiations for me were always healthy," offered Dorion. "When it came to the contract negotiations, we just felt there wasn't going to be a lot of movement from 7-8 years. Six years was never put on the table. At the same time, we're OK with that. We feel that we acquired a good player and we are a better team today."
MORE: Matt Duchene trade: Winners and losers from three-team blockbuster
Dorion also denied that Turris requested a trade out of Ottawa.
"We felt, as the Ottawa Senators, that we weren't going to see the light at the end of the tunnel, and it was probably best for everyone to move on," stated Dorion.
Turris, who has nine points (3-6-9) in 11 games this season coming off a career-high 27 goals last year, helps make the Predators extremely formidable down the middle at the center position. He joins Ryan Johansen and Nick Bonino as one of the top three centers.
"To have the depth, especially down the middle, it's a very important part of the game," noted Turris.
"The defensive corps there is so good, too. Goaltending is so strong. It's just a real good team that I can't wait to join."
Currently, Bonino is on IR and Turris is stuck in immigration limbo, likely unable to make his Preds debut until Saturday's Stanley Cup Finals rematch with the Penguins.