Nashville Predators
Predators’ Top Prospect Gaining Trade Traction After World Juniors
In an interview with GM Barry Trotz, he stated that teams have called him to discuss trade options for young prospect David Edstrom.
The Nashville Predators have reportedly been getting calls from a couple of teams on the availability of forward prospect David Edstrom. Edstrom, 19, was traded to the Predators organization via the Yaroslav Askarov trade in August last year. Reporter Nick Kieser of the Preds NHL radio network spoke with Predators GM Barry Trotz and he reported that two teams have reached out about the promising young prospect.
Edstrom saw success in this year’s World Juniors Championship in Ottawa. He tallied six points (four of them being goals) in seven games with Team Sweden. He led the team in game-winning goals with two, proving himself as a clutch player. He ranked fifth in points for Sweden and was one of the team’s leading goal-scorers, tying for first.
Outside of the WJC, Edstrom is also seeing success in the Swedish Hockey League on the Frölunda HC. Even with the SHL being one of the toughest hockey leagues in the world, Edstrom has still managed to be impactful for his squad, recording 13 points (4g, 9a) in 22 games. With a plus/minus of +8 Edstrom has looked like a promising prospect for the Predators so far.
Edstrom’s Name Gathering Interest Across the League
It isn’t a surprise that Edstrom’s success has gathered the interest of teams looking for young talent. In an interview with Kieser on 102.5 The Game, Trotz stated, “Today I got two calls from two different teams trying to see if we’d move Edstrom.”
The young forward has seen his fair share of NHL franchises. Drafted by the Vegas Golden Knights 32nd overall in 2023, Edstrom was traded as a part of the Tomas Hertl exchange last season. He was then moved five months later to Nashville, hoping to find a place to settle in.
Edstrom is one of the Predator’s most prominent prospects, especially in the center position. The Gothenburg, Sweden native is recognized as a stealthy player in the offensive zone. He is solid at distributing the puck during breakouts and supports the defensemen effectively. He has been noted for his ability to circle the net and win puck battles along the boards. His consistent play contributes significantly to his linemates’ performance.
Additionally, Edstrom is reliable when it comes to his defensive capabilities. With his physical build of 6’3”, 187 lb, Edstrom is a force on the ice and effective at back-checking and reaching for the puck.
Is It Realistic to Ship Him Out?
The Predators are coming off of a disappointing divisional loss against the Winnipeg Jets in a 5-2 fashion. With a record of 13-21-7, the Predators aren’t exactly looking good for the playoff contention the organization hoped for. If Trotz decides to tank, Edstrom would be a good piece to build around, considering his potential.
Nashville has three first-round picks for this upcoming draft, so trading him away for draft picks isn’t reasonable. However, Trotz has been searching for a way to spark the team’s offense, and acquiring a 2nd line center might be possible. With names on the market such as Dylan Cozens, Mika Zibanejad, and Elias Pettersson, Edstrom could be used if Trotz wanted to cook up a trade.
Looking at the bigger picture, it isn’t reasonable to trade him away just yet. The key to an organization’s success is to let its prospects succeed and not give up on them too early. The Predators have only had Edstrom for just over four months now, and they cannot give up on another promising player.
Next: NHL Trade Talk’s 2024-25 Top 20 Trade Bait Board 2.0
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