With the way the 2024-25 season has gone for the Nashville Predators, not many expected General Manager Barry Trotz to add much. However, days before the trade deadline arrives, he's welcomed two new wingers to the team.
In a deal sending centerman Tommy Novak and defenseman Luke Schenn to the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Predators added a fourth-round pick and winger Michael Bunting. Bunting was able to top 20 goals two seasons in a row earlier in his career with the Maple Leafs. This led the Carolina Hurricanes to offer him a contract, one he didn't live up to with the team, leading to his departure to Pittsburgh.
Trotz reloads Nashville Predators roster ahead of Trade Deadline
When he arrived with the Penguins, Bunting scored nearly a point per game to finish the 2023-24 season. Ending with 19 points in 21 games, it looked like he rekindled some of that scoring ability.
Fast forward to this season, however, and he has struggled a bit again, only producing 29 points in 58 games before being sidelined after an Appendectomy. Bunting plays with a bit of a snarl and seems just like the type of player Trotz would want on his team.
The question will be if the Predators can help him find his game again by next year. With one more year after this on his contract, it appears Bunting can be a piece to help Nashville run it back next season.
The second player acquired was Czech winger Jakub Vrana, claimed off waivers. After winning a Stanley Cup with the Washington Capitals, Vrana enjoyed a couple more productive seasons with the Caps before being traded. In a move sending him to the Detroit Red Wings, he lit it up scoring 11 points in 11 games.
Vrana appeared to be picking up where he left off to start his first full season in Detroit in 2021-22, until an unfortunate shoulder injury. This injury sidelined him for an extended period, and led in part to him seeing only 46 NHL games in the following two seasons.
Despite this, the Capitals took a shot on an old friend and brought Vrana back this year on a league minimum deal for one year. After scoring 11 points in 26 games, he was placed on waivers, where Trotz claimed him.
Picking up these two older wingers, both looking to have a bounce back, was a risky move for GM Trotz. One was free from waivers and, in the worst case, could help with the Milwaukee Admirals' depth for the rest of the year.
Bunting, however, had cost. Including Novak, who many had pinned as one of Nashville's best trade chips with what centers are available this year. If Bunting can get his game back on track, he will be a useful player for a more competitive team next year.
With one year left after this one, Bunting also becomes a potential trade chip to flip at the next deadline if the Predators fall out of things again. Time will tell if Trotz was wise in acquiring these players, especially as more comparable trades go down involving centers as Friday's deadline approaches.