Trotz Looking to Buy at the Trade Deadline; Is It the Right Move?

The Nashville Predators sit 7th in the Central Division with an 18-26-7 record. Despite their mediocre stat line, GM Barry Trotz doesn’t seem to be in any panic. In a radio interview on 102.5 The Game Nashville, Trotz believed his team could potentially go in as buyers this trade deadline. With the team being where they are, is it a good idea to go all in and load up their roster by the NHL trade deadline?

Related: Have the Predators Finally Found Their Game?

Trotz Believes His Team Can Still Be Competitive

In the interview, Trotz said that he talked about the team’s future with the leadership core of the Predators. He specifically told them that if the team could find a way into a wildcard position, he’d be willing to reward the group with some more skill via trades.

Trotz defined what he meant by more skill as large but not gigantic additions. “If we can crawl ourselves into [a playoff spot], within striking distance, I will do what I did last year,” Trotz said in reference to his deadline moves last year. The additions of Jason Zucker and Anthony Beauvillier proved to be important to the Predators’ 18-point streak, which secured them a playoff spot.

He claimed that he won’t do anything with the team’s three first-round picks, but if a deal comes up, he’ll gladly give away a few later draft picks. “You’re not going to see me throw away a high draft choice or anything like that…I have no problem making a deal like I did last year at the deadline for a fifth and sixth,” said Trotz.

Does Trotz Have the Right Mindset Going into the Deadline?

NHLTradeTalk previously went over the Predators’ brief revival in January. Nashville is currently on a five-game losing streak where they have only scored six goals and have allowed 15. Their most recent game, Saturday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins, ended in a 3-0 shutout. No matter what the players do on the ice, this team can’t seem to get it done when it is needed the most.

Nashville nearly has $19 million in cap space and can add a superstar player if they really want to. However, if Trotz truly wants to keep his valuable picks intact, it would be a struggle to grab high-end talent anywhere.

Statistically, 64% of the Predators’ 134 goals this season have been from their top players. Their 134 GF makes them the second-least offensive team in the league, just ahead of the Anaheim Ducks with 130 GF. If Trotz wants to improve their team in any way, adding scoring depth may be the best option

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