On the Nashville Predators …
- Adam Vingan of the Tennessean: Predators GM David Poile is a little hesitant on making significant changes to his roster leading up to the trade deadline.
“I think before I go outside the organization, I just think we need to get the consistency that we unfortunately have not had all year long,” Poile said. “I truly believe it’s there because we have seen it on occasion, but not regularly enough. We saw it a lot on a consistent basis last year. I truly believe that the best is yet to come for our hockey club.”
The Predators biggest need is offense up front. They are lacking scoring depth. Poile would be comfortable if they don’t make any moves before the deadline.
“If we don’t make any trades this year, I’m comfortable,” Poile said. “We’ve made a big trade. We’ve made a big trade that should have made our team better. And to this point, it hasn’t, but I believe all the ingredients are there within our team to carry us into the playoffs and have success in the playoffs.
“But I’ll do my job. I am doing my job in terms of making calls, and if something is there that can improve our team, I will do that, but I’m comfortable with the makeup of our team. I’m just not totally happy with the production that we’re getting on an individual basis and we just need to play a little bit better.”
First Round Draft Picks …
- Craig Custance of ESPN: Teams are becoming more reluctant to trade first round picks, but there are some that might consider it.
“There’s always somebody ,” a GM said. “We’re all competitive.”
With another saying …
“It would have to be really something to give up a first.”
Top candidates to trade a first round draft pick this year: New York Islanders, St. Louis Blues, Anaheim Ducks, Tampa Bay Lightning and Arizona Coyotes (the pick from the Rangers)
List of all unrestricted free agents: Centers | Left Wingers | Right Wingers | Defensemen | Goalies
List of all 2016 Traded NHL Draft Picks