Four Trade Pieces Nashville Predators Could Offer out of Young Core
By Chad Minton
Evangelista Would Spark Trade Interest for Nashville Predators
Let’s start with a young player who probably holds the most trade value for the Nashville Predators, and that’s Luke Evangelista.
Evangelista burst onto the NHL scene towards the end of last season as the Predators were ravaged by both injuries and after trading away three starters in their starting group of forwards.
Already competing in his first professional season in the AHL, Evangelista made his NHL debut on February 28 against Pittsburgh, and tallied his first NHL point the following game.
It wouldn’t take Evangelista long, just his fourth NHL game, to log his first multi-goal game. Two goals against the Vancouver Canucks, along with six shots on goal:
So when you think about a team like the Ottawa Senators and having to move on from DeBrincat, they’re going to want someone that can immediately be in the starting lineup with high upside. Evangelista fits that bill and is a valuable trade commodity for the Predators if they really want DeBrincat that bad.
Obviously this would be bittersweet to lose Evangelista who has such a high trajectory and potential to break that Nashville curse of not being able to develop homegrown dynamic offensive forward.
Frankly speaking, I’m leaning towards Evangelista being untouchable unless Clayton Keller becomes available in a trade from the Arizona Coyotes. DeBrincat would be an instant game changer for the Predators scoring nightmares, but it’s hard to get on board with losing Evangelista and a first round pick.
Be that as it may, obviously Evangelista is on your radar of potentially being traded by the Nashville Predators to land a superstar player like DeBrincat, who is in his prime at age 25 and could be long-term franchise player for his next team.