2 Nashville Predators Veterans Willing To Move To Contenders

The Nashville Predators can't hide the fact that this team just isn't going to compete for the Stanley Cup or the playoffs. It is time for them to rebuild, as the retool hasn't worked. To do that, some of the top sellable pieces will have to be traded. This includes the top players who signed last offseason.

David Pagnotta said, "I do think both Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault are willing, will be willing, to move to a top-tier contender."

Stamkos and Marchessault are both Stanley Cup champions and have plenty of playoff experience, but for both of them, there are concerns about their production. Stamkos has four goals and five points in 20 games, while Marchessault has four goals and six points in 17 games, both playing in the top-6. Both have been taken off the top power play.

The difficulty in moving the 35 and 34-year-olds is that they have large contracts for multiple years and they aren't producing like they should. Even with the salary cap going up, these would be risks and commitments to bring either of them in. Stamkos is signed for two more seasons as $8 million AAV and Marchessault is under contract for three more years at $5.5 million AAV.

I'm sure that both will have much more success and turn things around on a different team. The Predators are not an offensive team and plenty hasn't gone right the past season and a half. Given their contracts, Marchessault will be easier to trade, even if he does have an extra year left on his deal. $2.5 million goes a long way.

There aren't too many top-tier contenders, and fewer that would be willing to make risky moves for players who are really struggling, especially with the lack of cap space most have. The most obvious potential suitors are the Carolina Hurricanes and Anaheim Ducks, but we'll have to see what the plan is for both. They will be upgrading.