NHL Insider links Nashville Predators as top suitor for Hurricanes' Brett Pesce

The Nashville Predators didn't waste time making an impactful roster move before the Stanley Cup has even been awarded when they traded Ryan McDonagh a couple weeks ago, leaving them with a need to upgrade their defensive corps this offseason.

One of the most sought after free agent defensemen this offseason will be Brett Pesce. The Carolina Hurricanes haven't been able to come together on a deal that can lock him Pesce and keep him from testing the free agency waters on July 1.

Per David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, both the Nashville Predators and the Toronto Maple Leafs look to be the top suitors interested in Pesce should he hit the open market in less than a month from now:

Predators in business to land a top free agent d-man target

The Predators have a major need arising in their defense, and it's not just because veteran leader McDonagh is now gone, which was a wise business move to free up that additional $6.75 million in cap space and bring the Predators' projected total to around $26 million per PuckPedia. Only six teams have more.

Pesce kills penalties, is outstanding in the defensive zone and hasn't even hit age 30 yet. His new team could end up landing a budding star who has Norris Trophy-like qualities to his game.

Now to set the benchmark for what it might take to sign Pesce, first you have to consider what Elliotte Friedman reported on his 32 Thoughts Podcast in mid May. Carolina offered a $5 million, five-year deal to keep Pesce and he apparently rejected that.

The beauty for Nashville in all of this is they have the better cap situation to outbid many other suitors. It really comes down to how much General Manager Barry Trotz is willing to fork over if he really wants Pesce.

It could also come down to personal preference for Pesce. What situation would he rather join based on his potential new defensive linemate and if that new team is more set up to win a Stanley Cup in the near future. Players aren't always seeking more money as their top priority.

If the Predators were to add Pesce to their right side and into their top-four of their defense, that's an instant upgrade to what they had last season even with McDonagh gone. That leaves you likely with Roman Josi, Pesce, Dante Fabbro and someone else to be figured out. Maybe it's Jeremy Lauzon, maybe it's a prospect like Spencer Stastney. It also means Alexandre Carrier is almost certainly gone in free agency.

Keep this high up on your radar because the Predators should be considered a top team to land Pesce if he becomes available on July 1.

It's unfathomable to think the Predators do nothing to add to their defensive corps this offseason. They're thin in depth and NHL experience, have the dollars to spend and have several good matches to look at in the open market. Pesce looks like the top prize to go after if they indeed go shopping for a defenseman.