The Philadelphia Flyers have traded for and signed Kimmo Timonen and Scott Hartnell of the Nashville Predators.

The two players, who had been scheduled to become unrestricted free agents, go to the Flyers in exchange for a first-round pick in Friday's draft, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. 

Scott Hartnell was due to become an unrestricted free agent at just 25.
(Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press)

The pick (No. 23 overall) was the one Nashville had sent to Philadelphia prior to the trade deadline for Peter Forsberg.

In that deal, the Flyers also received Scottie Upshall and prospect Ryan Parent — both former first-round picks — as well as a third-round choice.

Timonen and Hartnell were both expected to command interest from several clubs.

"We expected both Scott and Kimmo to be among the most sought-after at their respective positions when the unrestricted free agent marketplace opens on July 1, and it did not appear as if we were going to be able to sign either player before then," Nashville general manager David Poile said Monday in a release.

"That being said, we received a first-round pick for the exclusive right to negotiate with two players who ultimately could have hit the market in two weeks."

Timonen signed a six-year deal worth just under $38 million US, with Hartnell's deal at six years for $25 million. The Flyers had a 48-hour window from Saturday at noon to Monday at noon to get the deals done.

Timonen had 13 goals and 42 assists last season. The 32-year-old Finnish defenceman has spent all eight NHL seasons with Nashville, and was the team's captain last season.

Hartnell, 25, had 22 goals and 17 assists for the Predators. The rugged forward was selected sixth overall by the club in the 2000 draft.

The Predators' future in Nashville has been the subject of speculation since owner Craig Leipold entered into a letter of agreement with Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie to sell the club late last month.

The Research In Motion founder has made contingency plans to relocate the franchise to Hamilton.

With files from the Canadian Press