Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet joined NHL Network on Monday after the news of Barry Trotz stepping down as Nashville Predators General Manager. However, Trotz is still in charge of the trade deadline, which makes for a weird dynamic. This has not stopped teams from calling about their players, as Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Ryan O’Reilly remain on the trade market, along with some role players.
NHLRumors.com Transcriptions
NHL Rumors: How Will the Nashville Predators Handle Their GM Search?
Bill Pidto: “Elliotte, what do you think Barry Trotz in Nashville are going to do?”
Elliotte Friedman: “I think they’re going to listen on their big guys, Bill, I do. I think they’re listening on Ryan O’Reilly. I think they’re listening on (Steven) Stamkos. I look at that board, I think they’re listening on (Jonathan) Marchessault.
So I don’t think (Filip) Forsberg, I don’t think (Roman) Josi. I don’t think (Juusse) Saros. (Brady) Skjei, possibly, no question. (Nic) Hague just got there. So I’d be curious to if they go there, and he goes away quick.
But I do think they are listening on Stamkos, Marchessault, and O’Reilly, and I also think they have role players that teams like, Michael Bunting. The Islanders almost did a deal for him before they traded for Ondrej Palat. Your producers are really on. Look at them flipping that board right there.
NHL Rumors: What Led to the Changes in Nashville as Barry Trotz Steps Down as GM
Bunting, yes. Erik Haula yes. Cole Smith, yes. Michael McCarron. I have heard there’s been quite a bit of interest in Michael McCarron, and I’ll put one other name on there, a defenseman by the name of Nick Perbix. Right-hand shot, under contract for another year, just under $3 million.
I think I think the Predators gonna have some choices to make here.”
NHLRumors.com Note: The Nashville Predators are going to have decisions to make on players heading into the trade deadline. Nashville is within striking distance of the playoffs, but if they make it into the playoffs, this will be 2024 all over again, when they went on a magical run to get in. The players are telling the GM and the coach they want to fight, but players like Stamkos, O’Reilly, and Marchessault have control over where they want to go despite teams continuing to call about them.
Their role players, such as Haula, Cole, Perbix, McCarron, and Nick Blackenburg, could be moved at the deadline. They will not get as much for these players as they do for the top guys. But if Nashville moves one of its top players, it will be for a high price that benefits them now and in the future. Everything has been average in Nashville, and the Predators need to be above average, especially when it comes to a return on one of Stamkos, Marchessault, or O’Reilly.
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