Predators focus on restructuring rather than rebuilding
Dave Pagnotta joined Scott Laughlin and Gord Stellick for the fourth edition of the Sirius XM NHL Network Morning Skate and was asked about the Nashville Predators' future plans.
Transcribed by NHLRumors.com
NHL Rumors: Players with expiring contracts know the importance of January 1st
Gord Stellick: So, we have a trade freeze right now. Of course, I really do think that in some cases things will heat up as the trade deadline approaches, sooner rather than later. The weird thing is when I was just talking to you about the Western Conference playoffs. I fully expect the Nashville Predators to be a part of that. They have a weird thing, a few years ago when they were sellers, they suddenly get so good, like they knock out some really good future draft picks, you name it.
They made some moves (Phillip) Tomasino, (Alexander) Carrier was traded. I'm really curious what are they going to do? For example, will they cut off the bait early? And, like, can Ryan O'Reilly go somewhere again, like, I don't know. It's just an interesting situation for me. What, what, where? Which direction do you think Barry Trotz will go?
NHL Rumors: Nashville Predators have other plans
Dave Pannotta: “Yeah, I would be surprised if he did that. I mean, unless he was totally blown away by this hell of an offer. Obviously, that goes without saying, but He seems to like at least the core. The problem is that the team doesn't have enough depth, quality or depth, and they've been looking at the 2C since preseason, before the season started, when they realized, oh, we might have a problem here. .
We may not have anyone. They like (Steven) Stamkos on the left, (Jonathan Marshallso) on the right. They tried a few people, a few people in between, but it didn't work out. They've been searching ever since. Maybe that's a tell, in hindsight, maybe that's a tell, oh, maybe this season might not go as planned.
I don't think anyone expected them to go in this direction. But I think from the Nashville side, as far as the rental market, you don't have a lot to sell. Gustav Nyquist's contract is expiring. He hasn’t played this season yet, and certainly he played last year. But if he can rejuvenate his offense a bit, this could be a big player for the Predators on the trade market.
NHL Rumors: Nashville Predators vs. Philadelphia Flyers
Beyond that, they're focused on next season and trying to find a deal that will accommodate them moving forward. Barry Trotz spoke last week and said, if I can't find it through a trade, which I'm going to have to do, I'm going to be as aggressive as I was last summer, this summer, on the free agent market. So it's not the rebuilding threat that he faced a few months ago, which I think is more energizing for the team.
But that didn't work out and he admits it will be more of a shakeup than anything next season. But he's got his sights set on 25-26 and from there, I think I agree with you, certain teams need to start accepting their fate and focus on next year, making some big moves, getting some draft picks, And then the tide turns quickly if you do it right.
NHL Rumors: If Elias Pettersson and JT Miller can't work things out, something has to give
I'm curious about the New York Islanders in this regard, because if they don't get any traction and make a move for their Kyle Palmieri and Kyle Palmieri A couple guys get some first round picks and they can sell some stuff.
It doesn't sound like Nashville is going to move in that direction simply because they don't have those types of assets to move.
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