GM David Poile pulled off the bandaid and opened up this quiet offseason with some pretty big news. The Nashville Predators have traded Forward Viktor Arvidsson to the Los Angeles Kings.
The day started with a Tweet from sports journalist Elliote Friedman stating that there were rumblings about the possibility of this trade.
Not long after, Pierre LeBrun confirmed that the trade was a done deal.
Arvidsson for a 2nd and 3rd https://t.co/7iaIZy5SeN
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 1, 2021
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In return for Arvidsson, the Predators obtained a 2nd-round pick in this year’s NHL Entry Draft and a 3rd-round pick in next year’s draft.
In his seven seasons with the Predators, Arvidsson was a huge asset to the team, and whoever replaces him will have some big shoes to fill.
In his 385 games, Arvidsson tallied 239 points (127 goals, 112 assists). He also played in 61 playoff games for the Predators. This year, however, an injury in game two against the Carolina Hurricanes ended his season.
Arvidsson is just three seasons removed from scoring 61 points during the 2017-18 regular season. The following season he scored a career-high 34 goals.
Arvidsson was on pace to have another great year in 2019-20 when he suffered a serious injury at the hands of St. Louis Blues Defenseman Robert Bortuzzo.
After coming back from that injury, Arvidsson struggled to regain his signature speed and scoring ability. In the shortened 2019-20 season, he picked up 28 points (15 goals, 13 assists).
Last season Arvidsson participated in 50 regular-season games, scoring only ten goals, his lowest total since 2015-16.
What This Means For The Nashville Predators
No one should be shocked at this trade. The Predators have had no luck in the playoffs for the past few seasons, and some changes to the team were forthcoming.
While many players have struggled in the past couple of seasons, Arvidsson’s lack of speed and scoring has been well documented and on everyone’s radar. With the Predators’ need for scoring wingers and his very movable contract of $4.25 million a year, this move by Poile was imminent.
This trade frees up even more cap space for Poile and the Predators. This will make it a bit easier to offer extensions to Filip Forsberg and Mattias Ekholm, give Juuse Saros a raise and possibly re-sign Mikael Granlund.
Arvidsson’s departure could also open up some opportunities for some younger players to make a splash in the NHL. While he dropped off a bit at the end of the season, overall, Eeli Tolvanen had a pretty good year and could see some top-six minutes next Fall. Of course, we also can’t forget about Philip Tomasino, who is waiting in the wings and more than likely chomping at the bit for a roster spot.
Bon Voyage, Viktor
Arvidsson has provided Predators’ fans with some unforgettable moments over the years. How could anyone forget his hat trick this past season or his 13 playoff points during the Predators epic 2016-17 season that saw them go to the Stanley Cup Final?
At 28 years of age, Arvidsson still has many good years of hockey left in him. If he can manage to regain some of his former glory, he will be a great asset to the Kings as a top-six forward. Hopefully, this change of scenery will be a step in the right direction for his career.
Predators fans everywhere will miss that “Arvy Hustle” and everything that he brought to the game. We wish the best of luck to Arvidsson and his family as they start their new adventure in Los Angeles.