Predators Acquire Denis Grebeshkov from Oilers

The Nashville Predators acquired Russian defenseman Denis Grebeshkov from Edmonton in exchange for a second round draft pick this afternoon. Grebeshkov is in his final year of a contract that is paying him $3,150,000 this season, according to Cap Geek, and will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season.

You would have to think that this would be the first of at least two trades where Dan Hamhuis will now be sent elsewhere in exchange for more offense for the Predators. With all the young blue liners, this may be a true rental situation since the Preds are unlikely to pony up $3 million plus for another defenseman for next year.

Here is the full release from the Predators...

PREDATORS ACQUIRE DEFENSEMAN DENIS GREBESHKOV FROM EDMONTON FOR A SECOND-ROUND PICK IN THE 2010 ENTRY DRAFT

Nashville, Tenn. (March 1, 2010) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has acquired defenseman Denis Grebeshkov (DEH-nihs greh-behsh-KAHV) from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

Grebeshkov, 26 (10/11/83), has 19 points (6g-13a) in 47 games with the Oilers in 2009-10, his third full NHL campaign. The Yaroslavl, Russia native registered career highs in both goals (7) and points (39) a season ago in Edmonton, and has 82 points (16g-66a) in 223 career games with Los Angeles, N.Y. Islanders and Edmonton since 2003-04.

Selected 18th overall by the Kings in the 2002 Entry Draft, the 6-0, 209-pound blueliner is fresh off representing Russia in the 2010 Olympics where he registered an assist while playing in all four of the nation’s games. Grebeshkov has also helped Russia win gold medals at the past two World Championships, posting six assists in nine games in 2008 and a goal and two assists in nine games last May.

More Later...

Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass