Nashville Predators: Questions As The Trade Deadline Looms

Will the Predators Trade Mattias Ekholm and Filip Forsberg?

With the Predators spiraling towards a rebuild, what two better players than Mattias Ekholm and Filip Forsberg to help lead the charge. Unfortunately, that probably isn’t going to happen.

Ekholm is in the final year of his contract with the Predators. Once that contract ends, Ekholm is going to want to get PAID, and deservedly so.

Ekholm’s recent play has cemented his position as a top defenseman who will more than likely be in a top defensive pair on another team. With no guarantee that he would re-sign with Nashville, the move to trade him makes sense for the Predators.

Forsberg is having one of his best years, all things considered. He leads the team in points, goals, and assists. He is the shining star on a team that has gone dim.

While the talk has been that Poile doesn’t have Forsberg on the “not going anywhere” list, he shouldn’t be going anywhere.

Forsberg and Roman Josi are the crown jewels of the Predators organization. We know Josi isn’t going anywhere, and moving Forsberg would be a fool’s errand.

Forsberg will be needed for his scoring ability and his veteran leadership once the rebuild gets rolling. Getting rid of Forsberg would stretch the rebuild out longer than is necessary.

The Predators must address the questions facing them sooner rather than later. A new GM, possibly a new head coach, and the loss of key players will have a massive impact on this organization.

However, these changes are necessary if the Predators are to move forward and succeed. While the immediate future looks bleak, it is exciting to finally see the changes needed for a couple of seasons come to fruition.