titanium2 867 Report post Posted August 27, 2009 (edited) http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090827...g+Chris+Chelios The Predators have every intention of placing their developing prospects in the holes left by departing defensemen Greg Zanon, Greg de Vries and Ville Koistinen. Advertisement But if they need some more seasoning at the seventh spot on the blueline, they haven't ruled out adding a veteran before the start of the season. One of the names being tossed around is 47-year-old Chris Chelios, whose abrasive style of play and frequent conversations with referees often made him a target of Predators fans. Coach Barry Trotz and Chelios recently had a light-hearted talk on the topic. "I said, 'Chris, are you sure you'd have the interest of playing in Nashville, because you're not exactly well-liked here?' '' Trotz said. "He said, 'Trotzy, trust me, I'm not well-liked anywhere.' I said 'Yeah, I guess you're right.' '' Chelios, considered by some to be the best U.S. hockey player of all time, has played 25 years in the NHL, breaking in with Montreal in 1983-84. He played in 28 regular-season games and six playoff games with Detroit last season but won't be re-signed by the Red Wings. A three-time Stanley Cup winner and three-time Norris Trophy winner as the league's best defenseman, Chelios said several times in the offseason that he'd like to play one more year. "I've let everyone know that my intention is to play ... I think there are some teams out there I can help,'' Chelios told USA Today while serving as an assistant coach at the recent U.S. Olympic orientation camp. "I'll be waiting by the phone, and we will see what happens. But I'm at the point that I'm ready to listen to anybody. I have to start out playing just to keep in shape and keep in the loop.'' Chelios' conditioning program should let him play another season, Trotz said. "Physically, he's a specimen,'' Trotz said. "I think he would be a guy we would definitely consider.'' Trotz also mentioned de Vries and former Phoenix defenseman Ken Klee as potential veteran adds. But he reiterated that the plan is to give prospects such as Alexander Sulzer, Cody Franson, Teemu Laakso and Jonathon Blum a chance to fill out the roster. "We've made it clear we're going to give the younger guys the opportunity,'' Trotz said. "We really like the upside they have.'' Request for Mods: I'm sorry about the thread title. Can someone please change it to "Chelios among options for Predators" and then "per Tennessean.com" in the subtitle? Another Edit: Thanks Mods. Edited August 27, 2009 by titanium2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Louisville 112 Report post Posted August 27, 2009 I bet Chicago fans will boo him because this one time he said "I would never listen to country music." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StevieY9802 6 Report post Posted August 27, 2009 If he really wants to play in the NHL then maybe. But I would say wait it out if you really want less travel. A team in the East is bound to need a dman sometime with an injury. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204 Report post Posted August 27, 2009 I'd still love him. Bert vs Cheli 7 years later? Or even better, Tootoo and Chelios on the same team? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
puckloo39 5,686 Report post Posted August 27, 2009 OMG, ChelisChick will just about die if this comes true (she lives in Tennessee and goes to Pred games...) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedFX 48 Report post Posted August 27, 2009 I'm wondering what will happen to all the "Chelios is a sissy" chants if this comes true.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
esteef 2,679 Report post Posted August 27, 2009 Live it up Preds fans! esteef Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
titanium2 867 Report post Posted August 27, 2009 Live it up Preds fans! I guess he'll have more chances to cheat on his wife. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JayUp88 1 Report post Posted August 27, 2009 I just hope he gets on a team. I wont boo him I'll cheer for him whenever he comes back Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zata20 4 Report post Posted August 27, 2009 I'm wondering what will happen to all the "Chelios is a sissy" chants if this comes true.... I'll chant it when I'm at the games just for the hell of it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jones31 0 Report post Posted August 27, 2009 I'm wondering what will happen to all the "Chelios is a sissy" chants if this comes true.... Die hopefully, along with the rest of the crap they spew. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheDetroitRedWings 286 Report post Posted August 27, 2009 I want Cheli to keep playing. But come on, the Preds?? Jesus there are 27 teams in the league outside our division. Why does every former Red Wing have to stay in the central?? I was more worried about Cheli going back to Chicago. But still, get the hell out of the central please. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VM1138 1,921 Report post Posted August 27, 2009 No! Chelios needs to retire as an Original Sixer. I know he really wants to play, but he should just hold out. Someone's going to need him to fill in eventually. On the one hand it's great he may get to keep playing, but for such a forgettable, joke of a franchise? Chelios is better than that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Electrophile 3,554 Report post Posted August 27, 2009 I can hear Kristi screaming from here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GoWings1905 2,694 Report post Posted August 27, 2009 (edited) I want Cheli to keep playing. But come on, the Preds?? Jesus there are 27 teams in the league outside our division. Why does every former Red Wing have to stay in the central?? I was more worried about Cheli going back to Chicago. But still, get the hell out of the central please. This might actually work in favor of the Red Wings for once though. Now the Wings would benefit from Chelios' "skating" and turnovers. EDIT: In all seriousness, good for Chelios if he wants to keep playing and some team is willing to sign him. His conditioning is just unreal. Edited August 27, 2009 by GoWings1905 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
55fan 5,133 Report post Posted August 28, 2009 I'm wondering what will happen to all the "Chelios is a sissy" chants if this comes true.... They'll keep saying it, and "sissy" will change in the American Slang to mean "hot man who drives women mad". All the youngsters out there will be calling each other "sissy" and it will be cool. Cheli has that power. Best of luck to him where ever he goes. I admire that he keeps at it for the love of the game. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
titanium2 867 Report post Posted August 28, 2009 They'll keep saying it, and "sissy" will change in the American Slang to mean "hot man who drives women mad". All the youngsters out there will be calling each other "sissy" and it will be cool. Cheli has that power. Best of luck to him where ever he goes. I admire that he keeps at it for the love of the game. I've been on the edge of my seat waiting for a hysterical post from ChelisChick. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Feathers 0 Report post Posted August 28, 2009 Wow. Thanx for the info & link. I think he still has something to contribute to the right team. His days in the NHL are definately numbered though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChelisChick 174 Report post Posted August 29, 2009 I've been on the edge of my seat waiting for a hysterical post from ChelisChick. I have just NOW seen this. Didn't get on a computer all day yesterday. So, *ahem*.............. GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChelisChick 174 Report post Posted August 29, 2009 I guess he'll have more chances to cheat on his wife. I only live about 2 hours away from Nashville. Just sayin'. I KID!!! I KID!!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
55fan 5,133 Report post Posted August 29, 2009 I only live about 2 hours away from Nashville. Just sayin'. I KID!!! I KID!!!!! Say, Kristi...tell Daniel that the chastity belt he ordered got delivered to me by mistake. I'll be FedExing it out to him ASAP. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChelisChick 174 Report post Posted August 29, 2009 NOOOO!!! I mean, oh. Ok. Seriously, I would freak out if he wound up here. You guys would hear me screaming all the way up there in Michigan! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Donaldjr2448 43 Report post Posted August 29, 2009 Hey!! Maybe that means we will get a Cheli's Chilli down here!! Too bad I'm moving back to Michigan in January!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VM1138 1,921 Report post Posted August 29, 2009 Didn't see this part anywhere, it was in the Freep. Apparently CHelios is also in talks with the KHL. Seriously. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites