We are at the point in the Nashville Predators' season that even the most optimistic of fans should come to terms with their situation. They are 18 points out of a playoff spot, and with the Four Nations Tournament coming up, we have two weeks left of NHL play before the Trade Deadline hits.
There is just no way this team positions themselves well enough to justify buying before March 7, and there are several veterans on the team Barry Trotz should trade while he can. Even though the Predators will largely be sellers at the Trade Deadline, it does not mean he cannot trade assets for someone if it is a legitimate move for the future.
It looks like there just might be a guy out there who fits that bill, as the New York Islanders are reportedly shopping Noah Dobson. As far fetched as it might seem given where this team is, if Trotz does not at least give Dobson a serious look, he is selling himself and the team way short.
Dobson checks several boxes of what Nashville Predators could use
Dobson is a 25-year-old right handed defensemen who is a former first round pick, and is showing us exactly why with his play in the past few years. He has risen to become one of the better offensive defensemen in the NHL, securing 70 points in 2023-24 and finishing eighth in Norris Trophy voting.
Offense is of course his primary strength, his underlying defensive numbers have not always been the greatest but have improved recently including this year. Even if he has not been as productive on offense this year, he is still a talent in that regard and with his defense getting better, he is becoming more well rounded.
Players like Dobson are almost never available, and it is honestly really surprising that the Islanders are looking to move on from him. At 25, he is a prime asset for the present and for the future, and every team, including the Predators, should explore adding him to their roster.
In their particular case, they are looking to get younger and do not have a major offensive threat on their back end outside of Roman Josi. The right side of their defense is also a graveyard and is even worse than it was since they traded Alexandre Carrier, and that side has not been strong for them for a long time.
The Predators have been lacking a true talent over there since the years of PK Subban and Ryan Ellis, and the overall defensive core has been worse for it. Bringing in Dobson would give them something they have not had in years and stabilize them for several more to come, which is a huge advantage in an age where right handed defensemen are so heavily sought after.
What can the Predators offer in a trade for Dobson
The idea of the Predators trading for Dobson is super fun, but might not be so easy in reality. As a team that is older and one of the worst in the NHL, the last thing they want to do is give up assets for the future, and they may not even have anything the Islanders would want in the first place.
They are supposedly seeking a bonafide scoring forward in exchange for Dobson, and based on that description, Filip Forsberg might be the only player on the Predators who piques their interest. If that is truly the case, then any hopes of a trade are almost certainly off the table, but there is a chance that the Islanders lower their asking price.
As hard as right handed defensemen are to find, elite scoring forwards are even more rare, and teams would likely be reluctant to part with them if they have them. And especially if the Islanders are the ones coming out to shop Dobson, they may have to live with not getting 100% of the return they want, which could make them more willing to listen to teams like the Predators.
If they are sending a current NHL defenseman as part of a package for Dobson, the most logical starting point is Jeremy Lauzon. The Predators have almost too many left handed defensemen and Lauzon is a physical guy who can also play on the right side if need be, so he would be a quality add for the Islanders, albeit a significant downgrade from Dobson.
In addition to Lauzon, or whichever current player the Predators include, they would surely throw in a first round pick, prospect, and maybe another pick or prospect. Their prospect pool is strong and parting with one or two of them is likely worth it for a guy like Dobson, but they would have to be careful to not part with anyone super critical for the future.
The same goes for their draft pool, as they have six picks in the top 100 in 2025, so they would be fine sacrificing a pick or two as long as they do not go too far.
In addition to the assets they would give up, the Predators have to account for the contract extension that would be required in this move. Dobson would cost lots of money, at least $8M or $9M per year, and while he is well worth it in a vacuum, it is also partially a matter of whether or not it is possible.
The Predators invested a lot of money into several players last offseason, including Brady Skjei who is also on defense. Of course they can and very likely will clear more cap space with some trades, and the salary cap is going up, but there is only so much money to go around, especially if they also want to add to their forward core.
Depending on how the Predators want to manage their money, prospect pool, and draft capital, will a Dobson trade be worth it and sensible for them? That is a question they will have to find an answer to, but at the very least, Barry Trotz better be making a serious effort to make it possible.