Nashville Predators Should Tread Lightly in Pursuit of Max Pacioretty

There weren’t any blockbuster moves for the Nashville Predators this offseason, but tide could be turning with one major goal scorers being shopped.

With so much salary cap space currently available, the Nashville Predators can naturally be throw into any conversation when big time players get shopped.

The latest report from TSN’s Frank Seravalli reveals that the Vegas Golden Knights, who are currently above the salary cap, are shopping Max Pacioretty.

Go ahead and push that panic meter if you’re a Golden Knights fan. I won’t judge you.

Pacioretty obviously comes with a high price tag of $7 million over the next three years. He’s also 32-years-old, so there’s a considerable amount of risk to whichever teams takes him on.

There are going to be a lot of teams interested in Pacioretty for obvious reasons. The guy just scored 32 goals last season, and could’ve easily hit the 40-goal mark in a normal season.

Pacioretty is clearly not finished being an elite goal scorer, and I’m sure Vegas fans are losing their minds at the thought of losing him.

Check out some of Pacioretty’s analytical numbers from last season, courtesy of JFresh Hockey:

Right move for the Predators?

Now from a Nashville Predators perspective you have to ask yourself if the gamble is worth it? The Predators have appeared to take the approach of going young and building their team back up that way.

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However, it’s not like the Predators have faded all the way back to full-on rebuild mode. They’re right in the middle of the pack in the NHL, and a player like Pacioretty could without question change the dynamic of this team going into the upcoming season.

Who the offensive drivers of the Predators offense are going to be is a topic we covered recently, and there’s a lot of uncertainty in this area.

Predators GM David Poile has pulled off some big moves in the past, so don’t put it past him to get aggressive here and make a strong push for Pacioretty. They’re in the conversation if indeed Vegas decides to relieve some cap room by letting go of their dynamic goal scorer.

I’m not entirely convinced that adding Pacioretty instantly solves al of the problems the Predators have and makes them a Stanley Cup contender again. Unless that’s the feeling you have based on just one player being added, then I think you tread softly here.

The Predators have to begin to build this back up from the prospect ranks, and avoid getting tied up in hefty contracts. If Pacioretty comes to the Predators, I won’t be made at it, but I’ll also have some reservations as well.

When it’s all said and done, I’ll be fairly surprised if Vegas actually lets Pacioretty go. They have other options to generate cap space without moving Pacioretty.

It’s a nice thought as a Predators fan, but don’t fall too hard for the idea and get your heart broken. However, Poile has to have some moves up his sleeve if not before the season starts, then certainly as the season progresses.