Report: Yet Another Predators Defenseman Is On The Trade Block

The Nashville Predators added defenseman Daemon Hunt off waivers this past week, and traded for Jayden Struble a couple of weeks back. But the reconstruction and "youth-ifying" of the Preds' blueline, and roster in general, isn't yet complete, as GM Chris McFarland is still looking to make moves.

Earlier this month, we heard that top-four blueliner Brady Skjei's name was "out there." Now, per insider Darren Dreger, we can add another veteran D-man to the list of potential players on the move, and that's Nic Hague.

Not saying that McFarland is trying to push these players out. He is, as I said, just trying to get a little bit younger. We’ve talked about the possibility of some of his veteran talented forwards being in play. Well, he’s most definitely still willing to listen on those (as well). Again, in the spirit of trying to get younger and trying to add more skill.

This deems to be more of a long-term goal of Chris McFarland and the Nashville Predators, but (Skjei & Hague are) definitely names that are in play in Nashville and names that other general managers are paying attention to.

Hague is a big boy, 6'6", 245 pounds. He was acquired before the 2025-26 season by the previous Predators administration and put up a fairly pedestrian performance last year, with 15 points and a plus/minus rating of -10 in 62 games played. He handed out 76 hits, also a bit of a disappointment. 

He is in the second year of a four-year, $22 million contract with a $5.5 million AAV.

Who could Predators be targeting in a trade?

Among MacFarland's targets on the trade market, Dreger dropped a doozy:

"Here’s a name that I think is of interest to Nashville and probably nine or 10 other clubs, and that’s Simon Edvinsson." 

Indeed, with his youth (23), size (6'6") and puck-moving abilities, Edvinsson is right in the wheelhouse of what MacFarland is looking for. 

Of course, as Dregs noted, there'll be a big bidding war if the Red Wings ever finally decide to cut bait and trade their unsigned RFA, rather than continuing their charade of trying to re-sign him after he asked out of Detroit. 

But as we've seen since he took over in the offseason, MacFarland is not shy about making moves in Nashville, and he will certainly be aggressive on Edvinsson if a trade becomes a very real possibility.