Nashville Predators: Roster filled with talent and trade potential

The roster of the Nashville Predators is filled with exciting talent. But, if we know anything about David Poile, he sees potential trade bait.

The potential and skill of the Nashville Predators is well documented at this point. We know that the roster is loaded with players, many of which are signed for the next four years or more. None of that is news. We know. The point has been driven home.

But, take a step back, look over the roster and you see more. Those that know this team and General Manager David Poile’s propensity to make a deal. Where we see talent, he sees trade-bait. It was one of the questions I asked earlier this week in a post. Now, I try to answer it.

What does Poile see?

What player does Poile have his eye on as a piece to be moved in the next big trade. To answer that, we need to look at who he trade previously.

June 29, 2016: Trading CAPTAIN Shea Weber to the Montreal Canadiens for P.K. Subban. Weber finished the fourth year of a 14-year, $110 million contract. It is still the second highest active contract in the NHL. While his base salary was only $1 million per season, his signing bonus was $13 million. He was about to turn 31 years old. In return, the Predators acquired the four-year younger Subban. Their salaries are similar, though Subban is a larger cap hit per year.

January 6, 2016: Acquiring Ryan Johansen from the Columbus Blue Jackets for Seth Jones. This trade is a bit more odd, but still worked out in the Predators’ favor. Jones is an All-Star, but at the time of the trade, was coming to the end of his contract. The potential was there, however he struggled to score consistently in 2015. Johansen was being dangled by the Blue Jackets, and his contract was manageable. The Blue Jackets signed Jones to a 6-year deal worth $32.4 million. Johansen saved the Predators money for two seasons.

June 27, 2014: Sending Patric Hornqvist and Nick Spaling for Pittsburgh for James Neal. The high scoring, yet often injured Neal was one of the best in the NHL. But, the Penguins needed some extra help. Hornquist was the answer. And he was just one year into a new five-year deal. Neal was starting his third year of a six-year deal.

Who’s next?

That is the key question. From the examples above, we gather key information. Age matters. In two cases, the player acquired is younger than those sent. And money talks. With Jones, he was becoming a free agent and worth more than what the Predators wanted to spend. The move for Johansen saved them money. So did the move for Subban.

The other factor? Big names were moved.

With those aspects, we can only guess who gets traded next. There are two that could see a fate like those that came before. They are Viktor Arvidsson and Ryan Ellis.

Arvidsson had a breakout season last year. If you saw that coming from him, I hope you played the lottery. However, he is entering a new contract, one that is favorable to other teams. Much like Hornqvist. Could he bring another veteran scoring threat and help the team create cap space later?

And, Ellis has two years left on his current deal. While it is not a costly contract, his ability to score from the defensive position could be enticing to teams.

Next: The 5 Best Draft Picks in Predator's History

Now, I am not saying I want these to happen. But, if we think like Poule does, you have to think it is possible.

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