Revisiting the biggest offseason acquisitions in Nashville Predators History
By Chad Minton
James Neal traded to Preds for Patric Hornqvist & Nick Spaling in 2014 offseason
Another offseason trade that really sticks out in Predators history is dealing a fan favorite Patric Hornqvist to the Penguins in return for James Neal.
Hornqvist had just posted a career high in points with 53 points and entering the prime of his NHL career after being drafted by the Predators in the seventh round of the 2005 draft.
On the other hand, Neal was around the same age but a much more prolific offensive player including an 81-point season just a couple years prior to the trade to Nashville.
Unfortunately for Nashville, Neal's production didn't ever translate to anywhere close to being another 80-plus point player. Neal dropped down to just 37 points in 67 games in his first season with Nashville.
Neal did rebound in his second year with Nashville by putting up 31 goals and getting All Star votes while having an impressive two-way game with 113 hits, 31 blocks and 49 takeaways.
With the Vegas expansion draft, the Predators lost Neal for nothing which in hindsight wasn't a bad thing because Neal really dropped off after just one more season. He never really returned to being a major offensive player and hasn't played in the NHL since 2021-22.
Hornqvist was able to keep his consistency all the way up until the 2021-22 season as well. Overall, this trade can be called a wash that didn't deliver the lofty expectations the Predators were hoping to get from a once 81-point player in James Neal.