NHL Trade Rumors: 3 Nashville Predators Who Could Be Traded Next Season
The Nashville Predators are in tough to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs next season. Several teams improved throughout the offseason in the Western Conference, and it almost felt like the Predators went all in the summer before, and had to stand watch this offseason.
GM Barry Trotz is in tough if the team struggles out of the gate, and there's certainly a ton of potential the Preds will be sellers ahead of next season's trade deadline. If Nashville hits the trade market next season, here's three Predators who could be in play:
Michael Bunting
Bunting's quickly turned into a journeyman across the NHL, but with his style of play and finishing abilities, it could be framed he's wanted by a lot of teams. The pesky winger is a pending unrestricted free agent, he's due $4.5 million AAV and does not have any trade protection on his deal. Bunting's a net-front presence who enjoys mucking it up in the dirty areas of the ice, and if the Preds aren't fighting for a playoff spot, it's very likely Bunting moves. At 29, and a struggling team, it would make more sense for Trotz to go younger.
Michael McCarron
McCarron's a big body at 6-foot-6 and loves to bang and crash. He's entering the final season of his contract, and at just $900,000 against the cap, he'll be on the radar of contending teams should the Predators have another down season. McCarron will stick up for his teammates, he's willing to hit anything that moves, and if he can fine tune his game on the defensive side, McCarron could be a very valuable fourth-line piece for a Stanley Cup contender.
Justus Annunen
The Predators backup to start next season, Annunen is a pending restricted free agent. The 25-year-old appeared in 23 games last season for the Predators, posting a .888 save percentage. With Juuse Saros not going anywhere, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Annunen take a step back to Magnus Chrona for at least a showcase, as Chrona was acquired for top goaltending prospect Yaroslav Askarov.
Photo credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
