Things are starting to reach a boiling point for the Nashville Predators, as they just completed a road trip that did not go as hoped. It concluded with a 3-0 loss to the Seattle Kraken, the second time they were shutout on the trip, and they finished with a disappointing 1-2-2 record, good for only four points.
The Predators are now last in the Western Conference with just 15 points, and given the expectations going into the season, they are approaching a serious crossroads. They are all but forced to make a change of some sort at this point, whether that be the coaching staff or the roster, and recently, we were given a clue as to what direction they might go in.
Elliotte Friedman joined ESPN 102.5 The Game the other day to talk about the Predators, and mainly what has gone wrong and what needs to be fixed. While he did not rule out the possibility of Andrew Brunette getting fired, he indicated that the team's focus is more directed towards trades, and broke down where things stand on that front.
Nashville Predators want to make trades, but will have to make sacrifices to do so
As much as Trotz is looking into making a trade, it is fair to wonder if it is something easier said than done. Teams usually do not trade this early into the season, so many are skeptical that there would not be a partner available for business.
Trotz also said even earlier in the week that he does not want to trade his first round picks, which sounds alarming given the holes on the Predators roster. But of course, nothing these GM's say is set in stone, and in Friedman's interview, he mentioned that this might be one of those situations.
Friedman said that depending on who is available and how the Predators' situation continues to unfold, Trotz could be convinced to part with at least one first round pick. Furthermore, Friedman touched on the availability of teams being willing to trade, and he said that some truly might not be willing, but that is not really what is holding the Predators back.
Also Friedman said that there is a lot of poker going on between general managers in terms of negotiations, and the Predators situation stands out. Opposing general managers know that they are desperate to improve their roster, so it is likely that they are trying to force Trotz to pay a huge price in order to make a deal. Friedman even said that their first round picks are coveted by other general managers, so the price of business will not be cheap.
Essentially, it seems like it is possible for the Predators to make a trade, and that Trotz is doing everything he can to get the best deal he can get. He would not be doing his job if he did not make a serious effort to negotiate, but before too much longer, he might just have to pay more than he wants.
The Predators' season is getting away from them by the day, as the second line center position and lack of speed are killing them. They also have three first round picks and six total in the next draft, as well as lots of prospects, some of whom surely will never actually play for the organization. Their future assets will not suffer from making a trade or two, but their current team is, so I do not see how it benefits Trotz to wait much longer.
Some might be against the Predators giving up draft picks to make trades, since doing that may not be smart in a season that might be lost. But considering that one of their biggest problems is tean speed, they would have to make one maybe two moves to get younger, so more than likely they would get someone who can be part of the future as well.
And there are also some who wonder if firing Brunette might be what needs to happen, since this team is consistently underperforming relative to their talent. If the Predators truly do not get it together, he will probably end up getting let go, and while he will need to make systematic adjustments to accommodate his roster, he is not dealing with an easy situation.
Colton Sissons has been wonderful for the Predators over the years, but there is next to no chance that any team can go anywhere with him as the second line center. And once again, the lack of speed is on full display night in and night out, another thing that will derail a team's chance to win anything meaningful these days.
Obviously, it is not just lack of talent that is hurting this team right now, but it is clear it is hurting them badly. We also do not know if they would go far under a new head coach, but know it will not happen with the current roster, so it makes sense to address that first, which is what Trotz looks like he is doing.