The Nashville Predators are currently in the first wildcard spot in the Western Conference, but are by no means guaranteed a playoff position at this point. With 64 points the team can take solace in the fact that it has played only 58 games so far, fewer than most of its contemporaries. As the trade deadline approaches, what should they add to help them down the stretch run?
Well, GM David Poile joined 1025 The Game and said (via Brooks Bratten of NHL.com) ideally they’d add a top-six forward but have worries that it would cost a top-four defenseman. The team isn’t interested in that, after using Seth Jones to acquire Ryan Johansen last season. Poile did say “never say never,” but it would seem they want to stay away from dealing from their blueline this season. The GM says that much of the league is frozen right now, not sure if they should be buyers or sellers this season due to all the close races.
For the Predators, adding a top-six talent would be a huge boost to a squad that has had trouble scoring goals at times this season. While captain Mike Fisher is having an excellent season, relying on him as an offensive producer isn’t an ideal situation. As Adam Vignan of the Tennessean put it in his latest column, the team’s wingers have been “unsteady” this season. Craig Smith especially, who was coming off three straight 20-goal seasons has just nine markers in 56 games to go along with seven assists. While Victor Arvidsson has broken out, the team needs more players like him to give them some high-end skill on their top lines.
Who they could get is an issue though, as the available rentals aren’t guaranteed to perform any better than the in-house options they have. Kevin Fiala, a former 11th overall pick, scored in his first game back up with the big club and could be important down the stretch. So too could James Neal, who after a slow start has five points in his last three games and looks rejuvenated. Yes, the team still has a glut of excellent defenders at the NHL level, but Vignan notes on Twitter that they don’t have quite the pipeline that they used to.
Looking for a power forward? Play PK up front a la Fuglein with the Jets.
Dave T.
They’ll probably sit on their hands like they did last year and not trade for anybody cuz they thought they were going to get Jimmy Vesey.