Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Kimmo Timonen may be rapidly approaching his 40th birthday and dealing with a health issue that almost prematurely ended his storied NHL career, but he's not done chasing a Stanley Cup yet.
Why else would he do everything in his power to return to the ice this season - which he has been adamant will be his last in the NHL? Why would he force his aging body through one more go-round as a professional player, after 1,092 NHL games and four All-Star bids, if he weren't looking to reach the playoffs and fight for one more Stanley Cup chase?
It's a chance he won't get with the Flyers as they're not quite out of playoff contention yet, but they're inching closer every day - with goaltender Steve Mason's injury, they're pretty much finished.
One team that could make good use of Timonen's particular skillset if he is able to return ahead of the NHL's march trade deadline is his former club, the Nashville Predators.
"Despite being tied for the league's best record, the Predators have the league's 22nd ranked power play. Timonen was perhaps most effective for the Flyers last season on the man advantage," writes Dave Isaac of the Courier-Post. "Twenty of Timonen's 35 points came on the power play, 19 of them assists. He could certainly help ex-Flyers coach Peter Laviolette's current team."
With $11.2 million in cap space and a strong, deep roster Predators GM Dave Poile's got the money and ammo to make it happen. It has been reported previously that he is poised to make serious noise ahead of the trade deadline to ensure that his team makes serious noise in the playoffs.
"Yeah, I would keep an eye on the Nashville Predators. It's uncanny how many other executives I spoke with this week around the league that said that David Poile might be the most aggressive guy out there right now in terms of trying to add a piece or two," said ESPN's Pierre LeBrun, who was appearing on Winnipeg's TSN 1290, per NicholsOnHockey.com.
The Preds already boast a strong blueline and it has been rumored that Poile is more interested in acquiring forward help, but with the aging Timonen's ability on the man advantage and steadying veteran presence, he could provide the perfect support for a Nashville organization with their eyes set on a Stanley Cup berth.
