Despite Playoff Hopes, Predators Still Have One Clear Trade Candidate

Jonathan Marchessault, Nashville Predators

The Nashville Predators have gotten themselves into the playoff race with better play in the latter half of the first half of the season, but this is still a team that needs some changes. There doesn't appear to be a change in emotion from Jonathan Marchessault and his willingness to be traded, but Ryan O'Reilly and Steven Stamkos like it much more in Nashville and with their situation.

Nick Kypreos said, "Jonathan Marchessault is the player to watch here and probably more of a target for other teams than Steven Stamkos, whose $8 million AAV will hurt his chances of being moved." In comparison, Marchessault signed for $5.5 million AAV for one extra year the same offseason as Stamkos, but Stamkos is the one who has bounced back from last season overall and a very tough start to the season in 2025-26.

Marchessault's role has been taken over by Luke Evangelista, who has been one of the best players on the Predators this season. Marchessault is down on the third line and second power-play unit, while Evangelista has been on the top line and top PP for most of the season. This seems like an easy transition for the Predators, who have a young, inexpensive talent playing better in a role where he can fit in for the long-term, while they have a veteran who the team can deal for assets to improve Nashville for the future.

If only Marchessault, and maybe Michael Bunting, are traded, this isn't a rebuild for the Predators. It's another attempt at a retooling, but with young talent further along and in more impactful roles this time. The core of the team isn't going to change and it's an attempt for Barry Trotz to fix some mistakes made when the Predators had that major franchise-shifting offseason.

By the way Stamkos is playing, he is worth keeping around, especially with how it will be more difficult to move his contract at that high number. He has 21 goals and 33 points in 48 games now, while Marchessault is at seven goals and 10 points in 29 games. If the Predators trade Marchessault, he is more likely to benefit from a change in scenery, play with better players, and bounce back.