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The Nashville Predators acquired a defenceman with offensive upside, in exchange for a veteran with a long-term contract. Numbers Game examines the deal that sees Michael Del Zotto and Kevin Klein switch places. The Predators Get: D Michael Del Zotto. Del Zotto, 23, has been a decent, if not altogether consistent, puck-moving defenceman through 292 NHL games, but he never seemed to connect with new Rangers coach Alain Vigneault and was playing a career-low 17:45 per game this season, after logging a career-high 23:10 for the Rangers last season. The ideal for Del Zotto is to play in an offensive role, working the power play, where he has tallied 48 of his 121 career points (39.7%) and that contribution helps offset otherwise mediocre numbers at even strength. During his five-year career, Del Zotto is a little above average in terms of offensive production (ranking 56th in points per 60 minutes, among 161 defencemen to play a minimum of 3000 5-on-5 minutes). His possession numbers are less inspiring, ranking 102nd out of that same group of 161, while starting a healthy percentage of his shifts in the offensive zone. Playing on the Rangers third pairing this year also means that Del Zotto has faced a lower level of competition than he has in previous seasons and its not as though hes excelled against that weaker competition, so theres a decent chance that Del Zotto is going to need protection in Nashville. While Del Zotto might be a useful addition as a lefthanded shot, on a blueline that was leaning right, hell need to play better if hes going to fill a top-four role on a nightly basis. He is only 23, so there is the possibility that he will improv but, with Roman Josi and Mattias Ekholm the left shooting defencemen in the top four for Nashville lately, Del Zotto figures to be competing with Ekholm for second-pair playing time. When it comes to the power play, Del Zotto could get a look ahead of Ryan Ellis on the second pairing. At a cap hit of $2.55-million, Del Zotto will be a restricted free agent at seasons end, which makes the rest of this season an audition, a chance for Del Zotto to rehabilitate his value after a tough start to the year, and if he doesnt, then the Predators will likely have a more affordable (albeit less appealing) option on the blueline. Ultimately, Del Zottos offensive upside, in addition to increased salary flexibility, makes the deal worthwhile for the Predators. The Rangers Get: D Kevin Klein. Klein is a 29-year-old right-shooting defenceman who will never be confused for an offensive dynamo. Hes talled 82 points in 403 career games, including three points in 47 games this season, but it doesnt mean he doesnt have some skill when presented with a scoring opportunity. Nevertheless, while Klein has played top four minutes on the Nashville blueline over the past five seasons, hes taken some lumps in that role. His possession stats, like most in Nashville, arent good (ranking 146th out of the aforementioned group of 161), but that does come with the caveat of starting the majority of his shifts in the defensive zone and, generally, facing a decent level of competition. In New York, Klein will take over Del Zottos spot on the third pairing, which will allow John Moore to move back to his natural left side and the easier level of competition in that role ought to help Klein. There is some congruity in the righty-lefty shooting part of this deal. Klein is under contract for four more season, at a cap hit of $2.9-million per season, a tad pricey for the third pairing, but thats likely where he fits. Klein offers some insurance if the Rangers lose Dan Girardi as an unrestricted free agent in the summer but, based on his career to this point, its not as though Klein ought to be tasked with taking on the oppositions best forwards. He can play some of those hard minutes, but chances are its asking too much. The price tag on Klein is dubious because of the term remaining on his contract. If this hasnt been a great season for him, how much better will it be when hes 32 or 33-years-old? Given that questionable value, it doesnt speak too well about the perceived value of Del Zotto around the league. Having a legitimate NHL defenceman, who has handled top-four minutes, under contract might offer some safety to the Blueshirts and thats essentially what this deal is. Taking a defensive defenceman, under contract, in exchange for an offensive defenceman that is headed for restricted free agency. Barring improvement, both could end up on the third pairings for their new teams. Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook. Henrikh Mkhitaryan Jersey . 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Nice To Know You The Indianapolis Colts seem to be all business this training camp. The Colts released promising running back Chris Rainey Monday less than a week into camp. According to ESPNs Adam Schefter, the 26-year-old was released for violating team rules and not for performance-based reasons. The move comes as a surprising one with running back Vick Ballard slated to miss the entire season after tearing his left Achilles tendon last week. Rainey signed with the Colts late last season and played in two games as a return man. Why Risk It? Adrian Peterson might not see any action this preseason, not due to an injury, but because theres no point using such a talented player in a meaningless game. According to NFL.coms Ian Rapoport, Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer said he has nothing to see from the 29-year-old running back in exhibition games and might just keep him on the sidelines. At the most, Peterson may get a carry or two if hes interested. The six-time Pro Bowler is entering his eighth NFL season in 2014. Not Taking Any Chances If the Houston Texans are going to improve on their dismal 2-14 record from a year ago, theyll need Arian Foster to be healthy and ready to go for Week 1. Thats why the running back will not participate in Mondays practice for the Texans after leaving Sundays workout early with a leg injury. The 27-year-old only played in eight games last year with a back injury. Head coach Bill OBrien was asked about Fosters condition after practice on Sunday. "Is Arian OK? As far as I know." Getting An Edge Micah Hyde has been one of the more delightful surprises for the Green Bay Packers this training camp. The second-year player is being converted from cornerback to safety and has the early edge over Ha Ha Clinton-Dix whom the Packers selected 21st overall in this years draft.dddddddddddd "Seamless," head coach Mike McCarthy told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel regarding his initial impressions of Hyde. "Micah Hyde is a football player. I think you can line him up anywhere. You really can." The Journal Sentinel also says that Hydes playmaking ability and familiarity with the defence has given him the advantage in the Packers secondary. Hyde appeared in all 16 games last season with Green Bay, starting three. Rookie Worries Kelvin Benjamin has yet to play a single game in the NFL and has already had his first MRI. The Carolina Panthers wide receiver underwent a precautionary MRI on Monday after banging knees with a teammate Sunday during practice. The MRI results indicated Benjamin has a bone bruise in his left ankle and is day to day. "We got a bit of good news," Rivera said Monday. "Its stable and everything is fine. Theres nothing structurally wrong. It is bruised. There is a swelling and what we refer to as a hot spot." The Florida State product was selected in the first round (28th overall) of this years draft and was expected to help replace the loss of veteran wide receiver Steve Smith, who left for the Baltimore Ravens. Feeling Alright After missing the entire 2013 season with a devastating ACL injury, Philadelphia Eagles wider receiver Jeremy Maclin is back and as healthy as ever. Head coach Chip Kelly says the 26-year-old looks "fantastic" in training camp and many believe hell be the No. 1 wideout on the Eagles depth chart when Week 1 rolls around. Maclin told the Daily News that this is the strongest hes been in a long while. "You can just base it off certain things that you do in the weight room, on the football field," he said. "And also mentally stronger. When I talk about stronger I mean everything that goes into it." Philadelphia is relying on Maclin to help replace DeSean Jackson, whom the Eagles released at the end of last year reportedly due to off-field problems. ' ' '