Carrier is the Most Valuable Trade Piece for Predators
Just 48 hours away from the trade deadline, Carrier is my top trade block piece for the Predators. He holds significant value as a two-way defenseman that can boost a contender's defensive corps.
Important to remember that Carrier is likely a rental piece for whoever goes after him on the trade market, and could even be a rental for the Predators' playoff push. Trotz could seemingly decide to keep Carrier for his own playoff push, knowing full well that Carrier could be gone this offseason. That's the risk you take here.
That is why I'm leaning much more heavily towards Carrier being traded than being retained, unless Trotz constructs a contract extension in the final hours. Much like Trenin's case, I'm sure Trotz is looking for a way to make the numbers work.
The conundrum here is that trading Carrier would rattle your defensive corps. He has been playing alongside Jeremy Lauzon for much of the season. The duo has the second-most ice time together on the team at 555 minutes, only behind the Roman Josi/Dante Fabbro duo.
Also, the Predators aren't incredibly deep on the right side of their defense. With Carrier gone, and Barrie likely as well, that leaves you very thin on the right side with no prospects that are NHL ready. You do have Spencer Stastney, the organization's best defensive prospect, but he is on the left side.
Before the eight-game win streak I would've said who cares, let's move on. But now I'm not so sure.
This is why Trotz is likely trying to retain Carrier as his top pending free agent. Really difficult scenario on hand. I don't see anyone in the prospect pool ready to be called up to the NHL full-time, unless you turn back to Jordan Gross or Jake Livingstone. That would be fine if the Predators were far out of a playoff spot.
This win streak really changed the dynamic of this entire trade deadline strategy for Trotz.