Nashville Predators Rumors: Team Looking To Move One Of Their $8M Players

According to reports from Nashville Hockey Now and comments made by Elliotte Friedman on 102.5 The Game, there is speculation surrounding the Nashville Predators' potential plans to move one of their high-priced players, Ryan Johansen or Matt Duchene, both of whom have $8 million contracts.

While no specific details of a trade or movement have been mentioned, the Predators have reportedly explored this option, recognizing the potential benefits it could bring to the team.

I find Ryan Johansen's career to be fascinating. Guy starts out looking like a future 40G guy, spends the next 7 years looking like an enormous version of Scott Gomez, then out of nowhere has a 26 goal season before going back to a 12G season this year. pic.twitter.com/Wi5GQ878HZ

— NeilT (@biliousbarnacle) June 16, 2023

Nick Kieser of Nashville Hockey Now suggests that the Predators have considered the idea of potentially buying out Johansen, although the likelihood of that happening is uncertain.

If the Predators were to pursue a buyout, it could result in savings of $5.3 million over the next two years. However, Johansen would still carry a cap hit of $2.6 million over the subsequent four years.

Most points from an active player without any award or All-NHL team:

822 — Paul Stastny
744 — Matt Duchene
700 — Logan Couture
658 — Jordan Eberle
645 — Mark Scheifele

The short-list of guys who might end up being forgotten to history. pic.twitter.com/t2Ca8AmsE6

— Big Head Hockey (@BigHeadHcky) June 19, 2023

This past season, the 30-year-old Johansen scored 12 goals and 28 points across 55 games, while the 32-year-old Duchene put up a much more impressive 22 goals and 56 points over 71 games.

Duchene is also just a year removed from the best season of his career, which saw him rack up 43 goals and 43 assists over 78 games played. Photo Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports