The Nashville Predators Should Not Trade Kyle Turris This Offseason

NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 13: Kyle Turris #8 talks with Yannick Weber #7 of the Nashville Predators prior to a face-off against the Vancouver Canucks at Bridgestone Arena on December 13, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 13: Kyle Turris #8 talks with Yannick Weber #7 of the Nashville Predators prior to a face-off against the Vancouver Canucks at Bridgestone Arena on December 13, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)

Yes, Kyle Turris will be getting paid $6 million to be a third line center, but trading him right now would be a very unwise decision for the Nashville Predators.

Sure, he’s coming off of a season where he scored seven goals and 23 points in 53 games, it would be unwise for the Nashville Predators to trade him because his value is currently at a low.

If Kyle Turris has a bounce back year, stays healthy, or just plays to a level he has played to before, it will allow David Poile will now have the leverage to ship him off for a higher value or keep him and let him contribute to the team.

Looking at what he did last season, the Predators would probably only receive a third round pick and maybe a bottom tier prospect, but if he plays to his potential, the Nashville Predators could receive a first round pick in return.

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In his first season in Nashville (combined with the 11 games he played with Ottawa prior to the trade that sent him to the Music City, Matt Duchene to Otawa and Samuel Girard to Colorado) he put up 16 goals and 51 points, which is definitely enough to garner attention from teams like the New York Islanders who are in need of center depth.

We’ve also seen him do more in the past, including his 2014-15 season where he scored 24 goals and 40 assists for 64 points. He also scored 26 goals the prior year, putting up 32 assists with it to total 58 points.

If he has an average season by his standards, he could put up 29 goals and 50 points, which are solid numbers for a second line center, marking up his value.

It could arguably be comparable to Kevin Hayes, who was sent to Winnipeg for a first round pick at the deadline, which means his value could be even greater than that considering his contract is running through the 2024-25 season.

He also show signs of promise during the IIHF World Championship this summer, putting up four goals and six assists as 10 points, also serving as captain and leading Team Canada to a silver medal finish, losing to the Finnish squad.

This performance could be foreshadowing a bounce back season for the 29 year old center, which is why the Nashville Predators should consider keeping him.

He could also be a massive boost to the Predators third line, adding depth to the lineup and providing a solid center for Eeli Tolvanen to play with if David Poile decides to play him on the NHL roster.

He could make whoever he plays with better, setting them up for assists and scoring his own whenever he can. After all, that 40 assist season is definitely looking nice.

Kyle Turris is a massive asset for the Nashville Predators and he definitely should not be traded for scraps this offseason, especially when most of their big offseason decisions have already been made.