It’s time for another edition of NHL rumours. We’ve finally hit the month of December, but some teams are already in full-on panic mode. A few clubs have gotten off to a bad start this season and some moves may need to be made. Teams are struggling to find their footing in some spots and some changes may need to be made. One team that’s going through some troubles is the Nashville Predators. This edition of NHL rumours deals with what they may do next.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Nashville Predators May Not Have Fire Sale
Rumour: The Daily Faceoff’s YouTube show with Frank Seravalli and Tyler Yaremchuk went over what Predators General Manager Barry Trotz may do with the roster.
Analysis: Nashville hasn’t been able to get any traction this season despite making some blockbuster additions in the off-season. Adding Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei usually would bring success. However, the Predators are scuffling this season.
Trotz has already made a few trades like sending Philip Tomasino to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Nashville’s GM also made a swap of backup goalies with the Colorado Avalanche. Justus Annunen was acquired in a deal that sent Scott Wedgewood to the Rocky Mountains.
Some may think the Predators are going to dump some assets and re-rack with their lineup. However, Seravalli thinks the team isn’t going to do that and will try to patch holes in their lineup.
The Deals So Far
Tomassino didn’t seem to be the right fit in the Music City. It seemed that Trotz wanted to give the youngster a new start in a place where he may fare better. The forward now gets a chance to show out and find a his way in a new locale.
Nashville has also waived Dante Fabbro and he was picked up by the Columbus Blue Jackets. This also seemed to be a case of letting a player that didn’t fit the system find a way.
Some may think the Predators are waving the white flag and giving up on the season. However, that’s not the case according to Seravalli.
Help Down the Middle
The insider said that Nashville will try to address one of their glaring weaknesses in depth centres. The Predators have tried to plug the hole in the middle of their lineup with a number of options.
Fedor Svechikov was called up recently as sort of an audition for the second-line centre spot. The team has tried Juuso Parssinen, but hasn’t got the results its needed. Ryan O’Reilly has also struggled in recent games.
Seravalli said that O’Reilly is more like a third-line pivot for a contending team. It’s tough to see the veteran not play up to his usual standard, but the Predators need some solutions.
Trotz has been examining the market and is trying to find a way to balance the lineup. Nashville does have talent, but it needs to find a fix sooner or later.
Main photo by: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
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