Nashville, TN -- It's been nearly two weeks since Nashville dove head first into the trade market, acquiring both defenseman Cody Franson and forward Mike Santorelli from the Toronto Maple Leafs. Unfortunately for the Predators, they have only been able to utilize the duo in their past four games.
However, in that same span against Philadelphia, Buffalo, Colorado and Minnesota, Nashville has had a good look at what it can expect from the two former and now current Predators.
"I think there is always a little bit of a learning curve," said Predators head coach Peter Laviolette. "The first game was tough. The second game everybody was better. Those guys were certainly noticeable. In Buffalo, for me they both played a game where they had an impact in the game.
"Santorelli with just his speed and the fact that he's able to generate scoring chances really kinds of fit into what we're trying to do offensively. On the back end, just adding [Franson] gives us size and somebody who can move the puck and depth to what we're doing. Both have been strong."
Both Franson and Santorelli offer the Predators depth, strength and offensive prowess at their respective positions. As much as they certainly need the depth on their roster, it's curious to think if Nashville addressed any glaring issues on its roster.
While one could argue that the Predators should have focused on strengthening their penalty kill when searching for a depth forward, what they received in Santorelli is exactly that -- a depth forward. Santorelli has yet to record a point for Nashville. But his underlying stats after leaving the organization that drafted him in 2004 are exactly what the Predators are hoping he can provide down the stretch for the team.
In his first year with Florida, Santorelli put up 41 points in 82 games for a Panthers team that would eventually fail to qualify for the postseason. Three seasons later, after bouncing between Florida and Winnipeg, Santorelli put up another 28 points with the Vancouver Canucks in only 48 games, at one point sharing a line with both Daniel and Henrik Sedin.
This season he's already put up 29 points in his 57 games with the Maple Leafs prior to arriving in Nashville. The Predators have been searching for a solid winger to round out their third line, a line that's had the only true glaring hole this season, and they may have found it with Santorelli.
"I thought [Santorelli] has a real solid game and he's been solid since they've been here," forward Paul Gaustad said. "Both of them have been great. It's always tough coming into a new team, trying to get systems and stuff like that. It's just getting a comfort level, something that takes a little bit of time. They've adjusted so far pretty good.
"His game seems to fit the way we play and he brings a lot of speed and energy," said forward Matt Cullen, who has been a deadline acquisition in the past. "He seems to be good with the puck. He seems to be fitting in with the group real well."
As for Franson, he's coming back to Nashville just as reinvigorated as Santorelli. Putting up 50 points in his 141 games with the Predators in his first tour with the team, Franson has spent the last four years in Toronto where he's flourished as one of the better defensemen. Including this season, Franson recorded 115 points in 236 games with the Maple Leafs.
"He's a good player and a big guy who can be physical," said defenseman Mattias Ekholm, who has been paired with Franson since he joined the team. "He has skill up front, so I think he's been doing a great job so far. I think we can work on our chemistry, it's going to come. It's just been a couple of games so far. It's coming more and more, but I think we've been playing solid so far."
The addition of Franson into the Predators blue line gives them a defensive corp that could be the deepest in the entire league. Besides the fact that Nashville's top six defenseman were all drafted and developed by the organization, Franson's presence allows the Predators to be comfortable in their depth the off chance that one of their defensemen were to get hurt.
"We got some big bodies and we got some fast guys," said defenseman Ryan Ellis. "Guys that hit and guys that think the game. We have a lot of good guys back there. We're having a good year and our defense is obviously a part of it. Hopefully everything comes together and we continue the success."
One thing to consider when bringing in players midseason is the amount of time it takes to transition from one team to another. Cullen, who was traded at the deadline in 2009 from the Carolina Hurricanes to the Ottawa Senators, knows about what it's like to be sent packing to a brand new team and locker room.
"It's not easy. You're uprooting your whole life," said Cullen. "It's just acclimating with a whole new group of guys. Along with that, a whole new style of play, a new team, a new system and a new coaching staff. It's always an adjustment. It's a challenge to try and get yourself comfortable.
"I think that's the hardest thing, finding that comfort level that you had. You played 60 games or so with your previous team and you've got a comfort level. Now you have to come and start all over. It's important to try to get your feet wet and get in there. It's nice to get a couple of games under your belt. It's surprising how quickly you can get acclimated."
Transitioning to Nashville's style from Toronto could be the most difficult thing both players do. Adjusting to a new system takes time, but in the case of Franson and Santorelli they may benefit from having played with the Predators in the past. Ultimately, it all boils down to how the players and coaching staff feel about the trade and the impact it will have on the team.
After discussions with more than a handful of them, the overwhelming belief is that their impact is already being felt in the locker room and on the ice.
"They've both been really good. It can't be easy switching teams in the middle of the season, with different systems and trying to get up to speed," said captain Shea Weber. "They've been around this organization before. They know how it's run. Obviously the system is different, but I think the hardest part for a lot of guys is coming in and feeling comfortable, getting used to the new group of guys, trying not to break up the chemistry and fit in as much as you can.
"The biggest thing is we want to make this team better. I think that trade made us better."
