Deja vu all over again. The Nashville Predators have acquired Cody McLeod from the New York Rangers for a 2020 seventh-round pick. It was just over two years ago that the Predators acquired McLeod from the Colorado Avalanche for a late-season push and playoff run that got them all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals. The team also announced that Zac Rinaldo will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery, explaining perhaps the need for McLeod.
McLeod, 34, certainly isn’t being acquired for his goal scoring ability. The veteran forward has carved out a 769-game NHL career but has just 72 tallies to his name, including just a single goal in 56 games with the Rangers since being claimed off waivers last year. Instead, his leadership and toughness will be welcomed into the Predators locker room as they look towards another long playoff run.
Speaking with the media today, Predators GM David Poile indicated that the team has suffered from the loss of leaders like McLeod, Mike Fisher and Scott Hartnell over the last year. That was part of the reason the team has brought in veteran names like McLeod and Boyle, but there is also obviously a need to be filled after Rinaldo’s injury and Austin Watson’s suspension. You can bet McLeod will be put into the playoff lineup if the team feels as though they’re being pushed around, and a distant seventh-round pick is just about the smallest asset you can give up.
Still, for the Rangers this looks like a pretty handsome reward when compared to what McLeod has actually done for them. The team snagged him for free off waivers last season and has now turned him into an asset, however small. The Rangers are still stockpiling for the future, and they’ll happily take another lottery ticket to add to that prospect cupboard. After all, they have a seventh-round pick on the roster that has put up quite the career.
Nashville is staking up on the big tough guys, hahah, this will be good for them down the stretch
Thank goodness he was one of the most useless Rangers ever.
What a waste of a pick, even being only a 7th rounder. The Rangers are laughing all the way to the draft podium. The Predators could have just re-signed him last year instead of giving up a pick to acquire a useless benchwarmer.
Agree very happy when Johnston broke his finger
What do you think the odds of a late 7th rounder are of ever making an impact in the NHL? It’s less than 10%. The Predators, heading into the playoffs as a favourite, added familiar forward depth and bring some toughness to the line-up. It’s not a big move for either team in either direction. The currency of a 7th round pick is so low that if you can add a player who can possibly positively impact your line-up in the present, why not?
Don’t forget, though, before becoming one of the most useless Rangers, ever, he was in the upper echelons of the most useless Avs ever! Mr.” I only take stupid penalties to *spark* my team”, with no useful offensive contributions. A waste of a valuable roster spot for the Nashville Cats…
This seems like a waste of a roster spot for Nashville. They already have a few guys who can stand their ground in Sissons, Salomaki, as well as their recent acquisition of Boyle.
Sissons and Salomaki have exactly 23 penalty minutes combined. Sissons has fought exactly once in the last three seasons and that was against Ehlers. Salomaki has fought exactly once in his career against Duncan Keith and lost. Boyle hasn’t fought all season and it was against Tom Wilson and he lost badly.
This is clearly a replacement for Austin Watson.
“laughing all the way to the draft podium” except 7th rounders aren’t even on the podium. but if that’s what rangers have to be excited about i’m all for it
Addition by subtraction and a pick even if only a 7th rounder.
Sorry – the last time Boyle fought was last season and it was against Tom Wilson.
What possible positive impact can McLeod have? Both of the Rangers goaltenders have more points than him this season if I’m not mistaken.
Yes, but do they have more goals?
Yup and the rangers will be sitting on the Couch during the Playoffs with that 7th Rounder that the Predators could care less about
Ahhahahahahahahahahah amazing