It's clear that the one thing the Nashville Predators lack is a young elite winger; recent rumors are paving the way for a potential trade to make this happen.
The Ottawa Senators were swept in the opening round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs after making a late season push for extra games. After coming out of the playoffs empty-handed in back-to-back seasons, management may consider making some roster-shaking trades to find success. Insiders are hinting that the team may explore a trade revolving around its captain Brady Tkachuk.
While there haven't been any major rumors involving Tkachuk and the Predators, connecting the two together isn't crazy. Nashville tends to like the grittier, power forward type of players, and Tkachuk fits the bill.
Tkachuk may be disliked by some, but Preds fans should be intrigued
Whether you love him or hate him, you must admit that there is elite talent under the jersey. Tkachuk finished the season at nearly a point-per-game, tallying 22 goals and 37 assists for 59 points in 60 games. In the four seasons prior, he was a consistent 30-goal scorer with a 10% shot accuracy.
He is somebody the Predators need in their top six. With Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and Ryan O'Reilly nearing the end of their careers, Nashville will need to find someone with enough talent to replace them long term. Luke Evangelista is one of those candidates and Matthew Wood is as well. However, there isn't necessary that prime 30-goal scorer in the works right now. That's where Tkachuk comes in.
Slotting Tkachuk on either wings of the first or second line will provide Nashville with a handful of offensive scoring chances. Not only that, but he'll also lay the body when needed. We've dealt off all of our biggest hitters: Yakov Trenin (the league-leader), Jeremy Lauzon, Tanner Jeannot and Kiefer Sherwood. Tkachuk could be our next big hitter.
He ranked 16th in league hits last season with 228, despite missing 10 games. His 293 hits in the 2023-24 season were third most in the league, all while scoring 37 goals. His two-way game is something Nashville has been needing for a while. This season, the team ranked 24th in league hits; a 250 hits season from Tkachuk could've easily brought the team into the top 10.
The younger core slotting into the lineup game after game needs a protective moat, and he is the water. He had three fights in the regular season and one in the playoffs this year. He would drop his gloves in the moment one of his teammates gets unnecessarily thrown down by the opposition.
Sure, some of his hits and words aren't always lovable, but having a guy like him is a must. He'll slow down the opposing squad and raise the spirits of his team.
A trade will require a haul of valuable prospects and draft capital
I wouldn't go as far and say Tkachuk is a franchise player for Ottawa, but I will say that a first rounder and elite prospects are needed to even persuade management. Thankfully for Nashville, their draft capital is pretty valuable. Their first round pick this year has a 3.5% chance to go first overall. Considering the New York Islanders found a way to do it last season, maybe teams will take a risk on a higher selection.
Per PuckPedia, the Preds have two seconds this season and one next season; they have two thirds this season and four next season (one of which is conditional); and they have at least six in the extra rounds for both seasons respectively. They got the draft capital to make something work, but again, the Sens might be looking for young talent to add some spice.
One player I see being a valuable asset in a deal like this is Joakim Kemell. He doesn't have a clear spot with this team. A veteran shrouded top six along with faster-developing wingers in the middle force Kemell to take to the bottom line. The last thing we need is a failed forward prospect in our system. We could capitalize on his current value and send it off for skill relevant right now.
Another guy I'm looking at is Tanner Molendyk. His development is interesting. He was ranked as one of the top offensive defenseman prospects in the 2023 NHL draft class. In his debut season with the Milwaukee Admirals, he potted four goals and helped on 19 in 60 games. He still has the potential to be a promising defender but once again, a logjam in the NHL lineup shuts that down.
Roman Josi, Brady Skjei and Nicolas Hague occupy the left side, forcing Molendyk to go to the right side. It's never ideal to instantly put a first-time NHLer into a position that isn't their primary; they're already trying to get used to the league and any form of familiarity is gone in a new position.
Together, Kemell and Molendyk can provide a lot of trade value; maybe a mid-to-top tier first rounder. Add them together and a first rounder and we might have enough to take Tkachuk. Not enough, ice it off with a second rounder or two and we got a deal. Some salary will have to be moved to make up for Tkachuk's $8.2 million per-year contract, but the Preds are already expected to ease up on space this offseason with their expiring contracts.
Is this destined to get the phone to ring, maybe. A trade between these two teams involving Tkachuk is unlikely, but it's a possibility. We have gone the more physical route in the draft recently with Brady Martin and Yegor Surin. Adding Tkachuk only adds onto that movement. He might be the missing piece that Nashville needed to finally go on a postseason run.
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