Nashville Predators: Post Trade Deadline News & Notes
By Nick Kieser
The final NHL Trade Deadline with Nashville Predators GM David Poile concluded today, but that didn’t pass without a trade or some news to share.
Buffalo Sabres GM Kevyn Adams dealt Rasmus Asplund to the Predators for the 2025 7th-round pick, the most distant pick available to be moved.
“I just think we’re in a really good spot I really do,” Poile said. “From what I’ve heard from the fans I think they thought this was necessary, that’s the information I’m getting, I try not to read too much of what you’re saying. I think we’re going to be ok I’m pumped up.”
Poile also made it official that goaltender Kevin Lankinen has been signed to a one-year contract extension worth $2 million. So far this season Lankinen has posted a 7-5-1 record as a Predator and has held a 2.58 goals against average and save percentage of .922.
Most recently Lankinen held his ground on Thursday night to begin the Predators six-game round trip where Nashville won 2-1 and he made 30 saves.
Dante Fabbro was given a one-year contract extension as well on trade deadline day in the NHL. Fabbro’s new deal is worth $2.5 million and is set to be a restricted free agent next offseason.
“I put him under the umbrella of a lot of players this year that have been a little more inconsistent than we would have wanted,” Poile said. “I think Barry will certainly have a sit down with Dante before the season and after the season and ask some things of him in preparation for next season.”
Defenseman Alexandre Carrier is now set to miss 4-6 weeks after taking a puck high to his right shoulder. Carrier had just missed nine games with a different upper-body injury from Jan. 25 to Feb. 25.
Forward Filip Forsberg is still on injured reserve with a concussion and has been skating with the team while on the current trip.
Tyson Barrie and his equipment arrived to Florida for his debut on Thursday evening. Poile sees the veteran as a mentor for the other defensemen on the roster and has some of the same abilities as Roman Josi in his eyes in terms of offense and the powerplay.
“We need more offense from our blueline,” Poile said. “That’s something that’s really been missing for us this year. He’s a terrific person, he’s certainly going to be a mentor to the younger players on our team and fit really well.”
Overall Poile is pretty satisfied with what the team looks like now after the deadline has passed and the direction of the team as a whole.
“Thirteen picks this year and [26] picks in the next three years,” Poile said. “I think there is a lot of opportunity, that’s a lot of assets and currency that can be used in the draft or traded for players. I think it puts us in a very very advantageous position as opposed to other teams.”
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As far as a timeline goes Poile is hopeful to hit on some prospect that will expedite the process.
“It should be faster than some people think,” Poile said.
The longtime GM has set the table for the Predators and Barry Trotz for what he’s hopeful for. Nashville is still in the playoff hunt being six points back of the Winnipeg Jets as of Friday and will continue their push tomorrow versus the Chicago Blackhawks.
When asked about the 2023 draft and having 13 picks Poile wasn’t shy about why he wanted to load up Trotz’s chances at adding some NHL-caliber players.
“It’s a deep draft. It was the right thing to do and it’s in Nashville. I think that’s kind of important,” Poile said.
The direction of the team hasn’t been all about Poile as well. He’s met with the core players and addressed where he’d like to be and has them aware of his ideas.
“I’ve spoken to all of them. It’s been so difficult because it all happens at once and then we’re playing games,” Poile said. “Everybody needs to be spoken to again and sat down. What we’re going to do is have Barry and Brian [Poile] go on the trip and Barry’s main goal is to meet with all the coaching staff and players to get to know them better. He’ll share with them the vision of what we’ve done, why we did it, and where we’re going.”
light. Related Story. 5 Preds Players Who Could Benefit After the Trade Deadline
The next part of the Predators’ plan is to begin picking the players of the future starting on June 28 this summer and go from there with Trotz leading the way.
Nashville enters the 2023 Entry Level Draft with 13 picks which leads the league. The San Jose Sharks and the Arizona Coyotes both have 12 picks.