The Nashville Predators made what was probably the biggest trade in their history.
When the Nashville Predators traded Shea Weber for P.K. Subban it rocked the NHL world. On a larger scale than the big trade, Nashville Predators GM David Poile did last season with the Seth Jones for Ryan Johansen. And that was after the Patric Hornqvist for James Neal trade.
David Poile sure isn’t afraid to pull the trigger and we can hardly wait to see his next move. We saw comments from Worst Trade Ever for Canadians to Good Trade for Both Teams. More of the first than the latter.
The PredLines Staff has had a day to think and argue a bit about the trade so we are putting our thoughts out there for you as a staff:
Doug Praskach: The Nashville Predators may have made the move that puts them in the true running for the Stanley Cup. I was as shocked as anyone when I heard about Weber being traded. However, I have been calling for an increase in the speed of the Preds since the end of the Stanley Cup Finals.
There were two players that really held that extra speed down…Shea Weber and Barett Jackman. In two days they are both gone and speedy P.K. Subban joins the team. Wow! I truly believe that Poile will bring another fast defenseman and a winger to the team. That could be Fiala.
The Penguins added speedy Carl Hagelin, a winger that had never scored more than 17 goals to their team and the rest, as they say, is history. The same thing could happen to the Preds.
Zachary Elrod: Shea Weber was supposed to be the first Nashville Predator to lift the Stanley Cup. He was also supposed to be the first to have his number retired. He was our leader, our franchise, and most importantly our Captain.
Even though Nashville has lost their heart and soul, they have gained one of the best defensemen in the NHL. Pernell Karl “P.K.” Subban has won the Norris, been selected to the All-Star Game twice and won a Gold Medal alongside Shea in the 2014 Sochi Olympics. P.K. has the ability to score from anywhere on the ice as well the athleticism to deke and juke out defenders like Roman Josi.
I personally do not think this trade was bad for Nashville. Nashville hit a grandslam with this trade. Shea Weber was an amazing Captain and player but P.K. is younger and has the ability to do stuff better than Weber. Nashville is on a roll and may continue that during Free Agency.
Chance Humphrey: I’m going to miss the excitement of watching Shea Weber wind up for his ‘Boomstick’ slapshot, and I think all Predators fans should be feeling a pang of loss in their guts with the departure of the Captain. But the P. K. Subban trade puts an exclamation mark on the new era of Predators hockey.
The team is setting attendance records, achieving all-time heights in popularity, and driving further into the postseason than ever before. Putting Subban, one of the most popular players in the league, in a gold jersey only steers that arrow straight up.
Consider the Trotz era officially history. The Nashville Predators are ready to command the league’s respect.
Lincoln Vamos: It’s certainly a style change-up. Shea Weber is one of the last hold-outs of big, mean defensemen. The new style is quick puck-movers and PK Subban might be the best rushing defenseman in the world.
I am slightly concerned that a Josi/Subban pairing will be too much offense and not enough responsibility… Time will tell. This was a business move. While Shea was a great leader and player, David Poile sold high and did not wait for his value to depreciate. Subban is younger and faster, and possibly more suited to Peter Laviolette‘s style as well. This move opened Nashville’Stanley Cup window even wider.
Next: Four More Thoughts