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Nashville Predators

Predators Not Expecting They’ll Make NHL Trade Deadline Moves

The Nashville Predators are playing well, but it doesn’t look like they’ll be buyers at this year’s NHL trade deadline.

The Nashville Predators have arguably been the NHL’s surprise team of the season. Few expected them to be as good as they’ve shown this year and led by Vezina candidate Juuse Saros, Hart/Norris candidate Roman Josi, and forwards like Matt Duchene, Filip Forsberg, Mikael Granlund, and Ryan Johansen, they have a 28-14-4 record on the season and sit second in the Central Division.

Related: Blue Jackets Considering Trading Red Hot Patrik Laine

Typically, a team in Nashville’s position would be looking to add at the NHL trade deadline. When you have players who have been inconsistent in the past but are having rebound campaigns, it might be best to help them with useful pieces that will give the team a shot to ride a wave that might not come again. Duchene is on pace for 73 points, Johansen is on pace for 61 and these levels of production are outstanding, but also a bit of anomaly based on each’s most recent seasons.

Nashville Predators Filip Forsberg, Matt Duchene and Roman Josi

In Elliotte Friedman’s recent 32 Thoughts column, he quotes GM David Poile who said, “This year, our first and only goal was to make the playoffs. If we are fortunate enough to do that, we will change our goal.” A comment like that might suggest he wants to add to his roster if the Preds are in a situation to be playing postseason hockey. But, also according to Friedman, Poile said he doesn’t expect to be all that active.

Friedman noted that Poile admits to loving the buzz of the trade deadline. At the same time, he notes, “I like our team and don’t want to change too many things. We’re content where we are.”

What About Filip Forsberg?

One question the GM might have to answer is what happens with unsigned pending free agent Filip Forsberg. The Predators obviously don’t want to move him and hurt their chances of making the playoffs. At the same time, they don’t want him to walk away from the team as a free agent and the franchise get no return.

When asked if he was willing to trade Forsberg before the deadline if the forward hadn’t agreed to an extension, Poile replied, “I don’t want to box myself in with an answer. It’s not my preference, but I’d never say never.”

Next: Canucks Thinking of Trading Players to Make Room for Miller Extension

4 Comments

4 Comments

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