Nashville Predators: Kyle Turris Should Be Traded

Following his worst season since 2008 and the recent acquisition of Matt Duchene, it’s time for the Nashville Predators to move on and trade Kyle Turris.

Yes, our very own Colby Guy did make some great points in his article about why Kyle Turris shouldn’t be traded away by the Nashville Predators, I completely disagree here.

Coming off of basically the worst season of his career, it seems like it’s time for the Predators to deal Kyle Turris and move on. The 29-year-old center is entering the 12th season of his career, and only his second real year with the Nashville Predators. However, despite his past and short stint in Predator gold, it’s time for him to be dealt.

In 2018-2019, Turris had the worst year of his career, barring his 19-year old season, where he tallied 8 goals and 12 assists in 63 games. This past season, he managed 7 goals and 16 assists in 55 games, the worst of any Nashville center.

Plain and simple, it’s time to send him on his way.

The Beginning

Turris was drafted 3rd overall in 2007 by Phoenix, where he really only stayed for 2 seasons. He only played in 3 games his rookie year, and then only 6 in 2011, before he was traded to Ottawa. However, in Ottawa, Turris came to life, scoring 117 goals and 157 assists in 407 games with the Senators.

He only played four full seasons out of seven, but in those years, he was a 55+ point scorer every time.

OTTAWA, ON – OCTOBER 24: Kyle Turris #7 of the Ottawa Senators skates against the Los Angeles Kings at Canadian Tire Centre on October 24, 2017 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images) /

After a 55 point year in 2016, and 51 points in 2017, Nashville traded for Turris, as part of the three-way deal that sent future-Predator Matt Duchene to Columbus. At the time, the deal was great for the Predators, as it gave them more depth at the center position, and tied the second line of Craig Smith and Kevin Fiala together, very well.

However, after that midseason magic ran out, Turris’ performances got weaker and weaker. He won fewer faceoffs, was less involved in the offense, and as a result, his ice time went down.

Last Season

That midseason magic that I referred to was really the only high point of his time in Nashville, as that entire line’s performance went down towards the end of 2017-2018.

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In 2018-2019, Turris only managed to play 55 games, hindered by injury and poor play when he was skating. The Turris, Smith, Fiala line was less than productive when it was together, and then it was finally disbanded when Fiala was traded to Minnesota in February at the trade deadline.

In those 55 games last season, Turris managed 7 goals,16 assists, and a -6 +/- rating. Those are the worst numbers he’s recorded since his first full NHL season when he tallied 8 goals, 12 assists, and a -15 +/- rating, on a sub .500 Coyotes team, at 19 years old.

Turris’ ice time dipped to a near-career low, he had a career-low in shots and saw a steep decline in his possession metrics.

Worst of it all? He got paid $6 million for it. Even worse? That was the first year of a six-year deal.

Next Move?

The next move here has to be a trade. After the arrival of Matt Duchene, the Predators now have five centers for four lines. Of those five natural centers, Turris recorded the worst numbers last season.

Turris is supposedly “better” than Nick Bonino and Colton Sissons, however, those two outscored him by 25 goals and 17 assists last season, and took up less cap space, combined.

WINNIPEG, MB – MARCH 1: Wayne Simmonds #17, Kyle Turris #8 and Calle Jarnkrok #19 of the Nashville Predators look on from the bench during second period action against the Winnipeg Jets at the Bell MTS Place on March 1, 2019 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The Jets defeated the Preds 5-3. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images) /

It could be tough for GM David Poile to find a team willing to take on Turris’ massive contract, however, I’m sure it can be done. Turris is still a talented player and is only 29 years old.

He still could have five good years left in him, it just doesn’t need to be five years in Nashville. Turris had his moments with the Predators, it just didn’t end up being the right fit for the long run.

Next. Nashville Predators Craig Smith 2018-19 Season Report Card. dark

Kyle Turris was always a consolation prize for the first Matt Duchene trade, in my mind.

Now that the Predators have the real prize in Duchene? Get rid of the consolation piece.

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