Predators Urged to Make 2 'Bold Offers' This Summer To Add Star-Powered Offense

The Nashville Predators have some big decisions to make this offseason. First, they have to settle on a new general manager. Then they still have the Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault questions hanging over them—To trade or not to trade? In the latter's case, could a buyout even be in the cards?

This team also needs to add some more scoring to its top six. They registered less than three goals per game this season.

To that end, Alex Daugherty of the Nashville Tennessean has urged the Predators' new GM, whomever that may be, to look at trying to make two bold offers this summer to add some more star-power to their offense.

1. Make trade pitch to Flyers for Matvei Michkov

"There's a storm brewing between the Philadelphia Flyers and second-year winger Matvei Michkov," writes Daugherty. No kidding. The skilled playmaking forward was a healthy scratch twice in the team's recent playoff run—including in the elimination game in Game 4 of the second round series loss to the Carolina Panthers.

Could Michkov be available for trade after playoff healthy scratches?

Now, it was definitely warranted, as the playmaking Russian was held to just one assist and no goals in the eight games he did play this postseason. But additionally, his sophomore regular season was a disappointment, as his production dropped off from 26 goals to 20, and from 63 points to 51. His time on ice was cut by new head coach Rick Tocchet as well, down almost two minutes a game, to an average of 14:50 TOI.

Although it doesn't seem likely that the Flyers are looking to rid themselves of Michkov, Daugherty suggests that "cutthroat GMs should see this as an opportunity... The Predators should put pressure on the situation with a 'can't refuse' package."

2. Submit offer sheet to Jason Robertson

For all the heads that would be turned in any Michkov trade, stealing away the Dallas Stars' 40-goal scorer and RFA would leave even more jaws dropped. Certainly, the Stars are having trouble coming to terms on a new contract with Robertson, with the two sides said to be fairly far apart at this point.

Should Predators try to steal Jason Robertson with massive offer sheet?

An offer sheet coming in around the $12 million AAV mark, which is what it would take to land him, would cost the Predators (or any team being bold enough to try to pull it off) no less than FOUR first-round picks in compensation (over a five-year period). Ouch. That's a steep price. But as Daugherty suggests, "Robertson would immediately improve the Predators' present and future... He's not a center, but his presence elevates the play of those around him."

The Predators made big noise in the 2024 offseason when they stunned the hockey world by signing UFAs Stamkos, Marchessault and Brady Skjei. Could they pull off an equally stunning move or two this summer?