Mike Farrell

This is a forgotten subject. There were many that were very critical of the decision to trade Farrell to Nashville, feeling that he would have a lot to contribute to Nashville that he could instead be contributing to the Caps. Farrell has dressed for one game for the Preds and played a little over 5:00 in that game. He appears to be the same extra forward in Nashville that he was in Washington.

This is a forgotten subject. There were many that were very critical of the decision to trade Farrell to Nashville, feeling that he would have a lot to contribute to Nashville that he could instead be contributing to the Caps. Farrell has dressed for one game for the Preds and played a little over 5:00 in that game. He appears to be the same extra forward in Nashville that he was in Washington.

Ya but he never WAS an extra forward in DC because he never made the club. He was always sent down to Portland because Wilson favored guys like James Black, Terry Yake, and Joe Sacco. Then when Cassidy came, he was buried under different favorites like Ciernik and Kip Miller, and under prospects that had more overall potential like Sutherby and Pettinger.

Add into that the fact that we made him convert from D to the wing, he had to spend a season in the AHL learning that (according to the spin from our front office).

But if you'll check the transactions page, you'll see Nashville recalled him yesterday. I heard he looked good from guys I know who saw him in preseason. Took the body a lot, stuck up for teammates and was really buzzing around.

Hopefully he'll stick with Nashville this time. He's only 24, so he's still got room to grow and learn, though his window of opportunity is closing.

*edited for clarity*

Well I'll step up to the plate and eat crow. But I certainly figured (as Trotz even commented) that Farrell would have a real shot at the 3rd or 4th line RW job.
I don't think anyone at the time expected Tootoo too make the team right out of junior. So sure he's the "extra forward" but I'm not sure anyone figured he'd make anything more then that in DC. I always thought he'd be a solid defensive forward with the chance to play D if needed too...nothing more then that...just a solid utility player. There is still a good chance he'll turn into just that.

looking at who the caps are using on their 4th line this year, Semin, Pettinger, Sutherby, Peat...which of those guys do you see Farrell beating out for ice time?

I never said it was a bad trade. I just wished Farrell got a chance to show what he could do (that was an impractical wish on last year’s team). As it was getting Riazantsev was a decent exchange even if he’s in Russia this season for a guy probably destined to stay in Portland. I thought Farrell played well enough in camp to make the third line but lost out when the Grier move happened. IMO he did play well in Portland not only as a forward but as a D-man and general utility player.

Not that it matters one bit but I valued Farrell much higher in Portland then Pettinger...Farrell was a emotional leader and one of Army’s goto guys while Pettinger just fell down a lot and failed to pass the puck to either Ferraro when a scoring chance occurred. I would rather have a Farrell then a Pettinger last season. Granted one is a LW and the other RW but you get the point.

But to finish answering I am generally happy to see Semin, Pettinger, Sutherby, Peat, Gordon (or any younger forward) in the line up instead of the likes Ciernik or Henry. I'd even add Miller to the list of players I think is wasting a forwards roster spot. I have no problem with any of the younger players on the 4th line since I would agree they all have a specific role to play and that they are filling fairly well at this point. Pettinger's +4 on this team is a nice indication of his defensive/checking play and while I was unhappy with him in Portland he seems to have found his role in DC. Other then that I add Semin ought not be on the checking line. If anything he should be finding a way to get ice time with Jagr utilizing his offensive side if Cassidy sees fit to double shift Jags with Semin and Sutherby.

Anyway I still feel the Caps made out just fine and gave Farrell the chance he probably wouldn't have gotten in DC. He will either beat out Tootoo or Hall or he'll be right back where he was last year...in the AHL.

tree huggin' liberal ever played hockey......:lol:

Ah...MASH...didn't see your title line...

Farrell only saw ice time because the Preds have had injury problems at both forward and defense. At forward, we are without our enforcer Jim McKenzie. At Defense, we were missing Schnabel, Eaton and Kloucek. That's 3 or out top 6. We had to let Brookbank, we usually doubles as both F and D play D only due to this lack of depth. We called up Farrell for a one gamer. He's back down now and will stay there until injuries force us to play him again.