
4. Tommy Novak, Forward, 2 Years Left at $3.5M AAV
Proposed trade return: High end prospect and mid-round draft pick
I can totally see Novak being the next example of a player thriving once they get away from the dysfunctional plague the Nashville Predators find themselves in.
Novak has offensive skills good enough to be at worst at middle six forward in the NHL. It's still up for debate on if he'll ever elevate his game to a full-time top-six player, and he hasn't lived up to the expectations of second line center before the season started.
I don't want the Predators messing with their young core too much, but Novak is one I'm willing to part ways with if a team shows high interest. I'm not willing to just take the first offer that comes along. I'm not that desperate to move Novak, and it's not horrible if Novak remains as part of the long-term rebuild that I believe the Predators are about to enter.
However, if my proposed trade return for Novak is an upper-tier prospect and a mid-round draft pick then I'll be all for it. I'm just very unsure if Novak will be able to offer much to a team that's about to go through some dark times, so trade him now while his ceiling might still have some optimism for another interested team.
Benchrates has Novak as one of their most valuable trade candidates for the Predators, along with the next player on my trade block list.
The exhaustive list of #Smashville players who could be traded until March 7
— Benchrates (@benchrates) February 3, 2025
Tommy Novak and Ryan O'Reilly are the most valuable candidates
And we would add Luke Schenn to the list. $2.75m is an overpayment for a limited role for a veteran player but the thin RHD market could… https://t.co/1LdGv0fWS9 pic.twitter.com/GhIMMJHid7