Nashville Predators: Comparing the Trades

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Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne (35) talks with teammate center Ryan Johansen (92) during a stop in play. The Predators won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

The Nashville Predators have made two blockbuster trades during 2016. Which was better?

The Nashville Predators have always seemed just a step or two behind the powerhouses of the NHL and specifically the Central Division with Chicago, St Louis, Dallas, and Detroit when they were still in the Western Conference.

David Poile has worked hard to get this team in a position to not only compete, but to also show the rest of the league we can contend. Two seasons ago, after hiring an offensive coach in Peter Laviolette, Poile traded for sniper James Neal and that added a lot of firepower to this franchise, but it wasn’t enough.

Within the same calendar year, David Poile picked up two pieces, both on offense and defense, that makes this team a real threat for the teams in the West. Ryan Johansen, the true number one center, and P.K. Subban, the entertaining and ecstatic offensive defenseman, have been injected into an already talented and exciting team. We’ve had a chance to watch Johansen since he was added about midway into last season and we know what he adds, but right now Subban is still an unknown.

Ryan Johansen for Seth Jones

On January 6th, 2016, David Poile made a blockbuster trade to start the New Year off with a bang. The Nashville Predators sent off future star defenseman Seth Jones to The Columbus Blue Jackets for star and number one center Ryan Johansen. This is one of those few trades you will argue about for a few years because it is unclear who won the trade. It’s a very fair trade that sends two young promising stars to teams that were in need of their positions.

David Poile, once the trade was made, said he believes this trade gives him his first ever number one center. Which is completely accurate. Think back on some of our other centers. David Legwand was meant to be our top guy but was consistent on a more average level, not a number one role. Mike Fisher and Mike Ribeiro were both brought to this team in their thirties, and even though they have been very successful in Predator Gold they are more of a number two or three guys on the depth chart.

What makes Johansen different? Well for one he hasn’t hit his prime yet since we acquired him at the young age of 23. The other difference is Joey is a pure playmaker, a type of player we have never seen in Nashville. Not only does he make the passes, but he can create his own opportunities to score.

Ryan Johansen snipes his first goal with the #preds 🎯🎯🎯 pic.twitter.com/3jeIYCFho2
— Shnarped Hockey (@shnarpedhockey) January 9, 2016

His first goal as a Predator is a great example of how he’s able to create his own opportunities. Watch as he creates his own space by moving the puck and his eyes in a way to make the defense believe he was going for a pass. Then in an instant, he snipes the puck top shelf past Varlamov.

Joey + Real Deal = 🚨🚨🚨 #Preds #ANAvsNSH https://t.co/sSmkpQ17zh
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) April 26, 2016

And here’s his a great assist for a James Neal goal to extend the lead in an important Game 6 against Anaheim in the playoffs. After a turnover by Corey Perry, Johansen was able to gather the puck race down with Neal on the other side of him. What he does was very similar to his goal in the first example. Again, with the way he handles the puck and uses his eyes he makes the defenseman and the goalie think he’s going to shoot and then makes a great pass across the net to The Real Deal James Neal.

His abilities in the offensive zone are something that hasn’t been showcased on this team before and he adds a different dynamic that we have always needed.

Next: Subban Mania

Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

P.K. Subban for Shea Weber

This is a trade that took EVERYONE by surprise and I mean everyone. While we were all chuckling and belly laughing when Edmonton sent Taylor Hall straight up for Adam Larsson of the New Jersey Devils; little did we know David Poile was lurking around ready to make a blockbuster of his own. On June 29th, 2016 the NHL World blew up as one of its faces was sent from one of the biggest hockey markets in Montreal to a “small market” in Nashville.

Some Habs fans were not happy and for good reason. P.K. Subban is an exciting player to watch and is an obvious fan favorite for his big personality. Most would say June 29th was a rough day for some fans in Canada.

Toronto, Montreal, Edmonton right now: pic.twitter.com/STOsQkDxQi
— Caroline Cameron (@SNCaroline) June 29, 2016

This is a similar trade to the Joey and Jones trade that will be discussed and debated on who won, but this one won’t be debated for as long. Unlike Johansen and Jones who are both young players with their whole careers ahead of them, one player in this one for one trade is already 30 and has maybe hit his peak. Subban is only 27 and just seems to be hitting his stride.

This was a win now mentality type of trade for Montreal. For some reason they felt Subban wasn’t the right fit for their team and locker room, so they went after a more defensive and strong player in Shea Weber. Weber doesn’t have a lot of good years left in him so the Habs need this trade to work for them sooner rather than later.

As for Nashville, this is a perfect trade for what they want to do. With the addition of Subban, the Preds top four defensemen that also include Roman Josi, Mattias Ekholm, and Ryan Ellis are all signed to good long-term deals and they are all in their twenties. This will help them reach the ultimate goal, and they may have multiple shots at The Cup with this kind of D-corp.

Subban is a great offensive defenseman. He can make the passes and he can score some pretty goals. Last season with the Habs he only had 6 goals with 45 assists, and the year before he had 15 goals and 45 assists. Needless to say, Subban will give our fans some extra goals.

Look at this beauty of a tic tac toe play two years ago. as the puck is passed around the team, pivots around Galchenyuck, and fires a laser pass across the net to a waiting P.K. for a one-timer goal.

If you watch the way P.K. skates and the way he plays it reminds you a lot of what Roman Josi can do. Both are fast skates that can create some fantastic setup plays as well as scoring goals. What most Pred fans are worried about losing with Shea Weber is that hard slap shot he has. Subban has a great slap shot himself, maybe not like Weber’s, but I think this shot can rest some weary minds.

The other concern was the loss of leadership and the loss of the community guy Shea Weber was. Shea was amazing for the Nashville Community and the locker room and his presence will be missed. But I think Subban has a lot more leadership than given credit for and don’t forget this guy loves to be involved in the community. He donated 6 million dollars to the Montreal Children’s Hospital after all.

Next: So Who Wins?

Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

Who Wins?

More from Predlines

We as Nashville Predator fans win of course! We have two incredible players now playing in Bridgestone Arena in Gold sweaters who will lead us to The Stanley Cup. But to give a more precise answer I got to say the Johansen trade wins it. I really believe the Johansen trade was the best for the organization.

Subban is exciting and he will help us win, but we’ve never had a number one guy at center and we’ve had some great defencemen come through the ranks. We as a fan base have been spoiled at the defensive talent Nashville has acquired, but Joey provides something we have never seen. A number one center that will score and make plays for years to come.

So, within 7 months David Poile turns Seth Jones and Shea Weber into Ryan Johansen and P.K. Subban. Franchise-altering moves.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 29, 2016

Next: Nashville Predators Roman Josi One of League's Best

We have made two blockbuster trades to alter this franchise for the better. Get ready fans for some exciting games this season in Nashville!

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