NHL Rumors: 3 Nashville Predators Trade Candidates Heading Into Offseason
The Nashville Predators are a team to watch this summer. They didn't meet expectations last season and GM Barry Trotz won't be shy when it comes to making changes.
Look for Trotz to be active at the NHL Draft, and be open to just about anything as he looks to shake up the roster, just one year after spending a boat load of money on the free-agent market. Here's three Predators who could be moved over the course of the next few weeks:
Steven Stamkos
Stammer had a solid first season in Nashville, scoring 27 goals and 53 points in 82 games. He owns a no-movement clause so he'll have all the control in the matter, but that's not to say he could look to move on in short order from the Preds and try to catch on with a Stanley Cup contender for next season. Stamkos has three seasons left at $8 million AAV, and even at 35 years old, is going to have a ton of trade interest from onlooking teams interested in upgrading their top two centers. The Toronto Maple Leafs could be a team to watch here.
Jonathan Marchessault
Marchessault is all over trade boards as a top candidate, including Daily Faceoff's as insider Frank Seravalli has him ranked 5th on his list. "The belief is Marchessault is open to moving on after one year in the Music City. His production dipped, like everyone’s, as Nashville struggled to score. But he’s eminently capable of bouncing back with a 30-goal season with strong value to the cap." Marchessault is owed $5.5 million AAV for four more years, and does also hold a no-movement clause.
Magnus Chrona
Chrona is a 6-foot-5 24-year-old goaltender who is going to draw interest on the trade market this summer. With Juuse Saros locked in, teams could see Chrona as a backup option who has potential to eventually become a 1-B starter. He's yet to receive a decent run at the NHL level, seeing just nine games a couple of years ago in San Jose, but Chrona has great upside and is someone to watch being dealt out of Nashville thanks to interest from onlooking teams.
Photo credit: Bob Lee, Imagn Images
