In separate deals on Saturday, the Nashville Predators made two significant moves.
First, the Preds announced that they had dealt the rights to restricted free agent defenseman Dan Hamhuis to the Philadelphia Flyers for defenseman Ryan Parent. There is a conditional late-round pick involved if Hamhuis signs with Philly as well.
Later in the day, the Preds announced that they were sending veteran forward Jason Arnott back to the New Jersey Devils for a 2011 second round pick and a prospect.
The two moves make Nashville younger certainly, but not immediately better. The Arnott deal shaves over $4 million off Nashville's payroll for next season.
It's hard to say immediately what the fantasy impact of the Hamhuis deal will be. Philadelphia is going to have to move a veteran to afford Hamhuis' new salary, which should be around $4 million per season. As the roster stands now, Hamhuis would likely stand to see his role similar in Philly to what it was in Nashville.
For Parent, who played in just 48 games last year, this could be a big improvement in his playing time. He was originally drafted in the first round, 28th overall, by Nashville in 2005.
Arnott's value will likely remain as a depth player in most fantasy leagues. He's old.
