The first ever Nashville Predator is no longer a member of the team. David Legwand was traded to the Detroit Red Wings today. In exchange the Red Wings give the Predators prospect Calle Jarnkrok, forward Patrick Eaves, and a 3rd round pick.
According to @GMillerTSN, Preds get Patrick Eaves, a prospect and a 3rd-round pick for Legwand
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) March 5, 2014
It is the end of an era if Legwand leaves Nashville as he is the franchise’s first ever draft pick, and all-time leading scorer. In many ways Legwand has been one of the key faces of this franchise since the day they entered the NHL. However the Predators will likely miss the playoffs this season, and Legwand is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
The Wings needed the help up the middle as they were already without Henrik Zetterberg, and Stephen Weiss has been a major disappointment. As such Legwand moves to the Red Wings who have learned today that they will be without Pavel Datsyuk for at least three weeks.
The 33-year-old Legwand has 10 goals and 30 assists for 40 points so far this season in 62 games with the Predators. He has 210 goals and 356 assists for 566 points in 956 career NHL games.
Eaves, 29, has scored two goals and three assists in 25 games with the Red Wings this season. He will be a UFA at the end of the season.
In the summer, we called Jankrok the number two prospect in the Wings organization. Here is the report.
Top Prospect #2, Calle Jarnkrok, Centre
Born Sep 25 1991 — Gavle, Sweden
Height 6.00 — Weight 176 — Shoots R
Selected by Detroit Red Wings round 2 #51 overall 2010 NHL Entry Draft
Jankrok has been a regular for Sweden at the World Championships the last two years. He has also been a top center for Brynas in the Swedish Elitserien, helping them to the Swedish Championship in 2012. After losing teammate and linemate Jacob Silfverberg (to Ottawa, now Anaheim) and goaltender Niklas Svedberg to Boston Jankrok couldn’t help Brynas to repeat as champions. However Jarnkrok has now signed his ELC and gotten his feet wet with 8 games in the AHL, before playing in the aforementioned World Championships.
Jankrok shows a long, smooth and powerful skating stride that gives him excellent top end speed. However his first few steps are a bit awkward and could use some work as it really robs him of acceleration when he has to change direction, or when starting up. He does have good agility though, and the balance, power and non-stop motor that helps him to fight through checks.
Jankrok has an outstanding wrist shot and release that are near NHL ready. He also is a very good puck career and protects the puck well in the corners and down low on the cycle game. A tenacious forechecker he fights hard in the corners when the puck is loose as well. He’s not a big hitter, but he’s a battler who just never gives up on the play. His good vision, playmaking and hockey sense can lead to some great passes and set ups for teammates, but he also has a tendency to rely too much on his shot at times.
I expect to see Jankrok make his way to North America this season. With the Wings organizational philosophy, I would expect him to play a year in the AHL before being ready to make the jump to the pros.”
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