Today’s edition of NHL Rumours with us here at Last Word On Hockey travels to Tennessee, and the home of the Nashville Predators. Things haven’t been right in Nashville, and it goes back to last year, too. So, let’s find out what that means from an organizational standpoint.
NHL Rumours and a Potential Shakeup in Nashville
Rumour: Jeff Marek stopped by with the boys at Sekeres and Price to discuss the situation in Nashville. Given the team’s questionable start, combined with high expectations, they wondered if a shake-up could be in order.
Analysis: If general manager Barry Trotz does decide to pull the plug and go in seller mode, the idea is lots could be in play. It does make sense, given Nashville’s track record of success and needing good value from their players. Currently, a couple of the contracts, like those of Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Ryan O’Reilly, might mean they make a move.
On July 1st, 2024, GM Trotz made a major statement giving Marchessault and Stamkos nearly $60 million, combined. It was an attempt to keep Nashville competitive in the Central Division Stanley Cup playoff race. The move made sense, two successful offensive forwards, headed to a desirable place to live, play meaningful hockey, and raise a family.
Fast-forward to today, and we focus on Stamkos, specifically. The question is with him, is his slow start reason to raise alarm bells? It is fair that his production may drop. With the Tampa Bay Lightning, he was a winger, playing with two stars, in Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point. But at his current pace of two points (only one goal) through 14 games, maybe a change of scenery is in order.
Marek seemed to be hinting at some retention, although not explicitly. He was more so referencing his actual value, as a 35-year-old, former Stanley Cup champ, not necessarily someone making $8 million average annual value. His contract has a no-movement clause as well to consider.
In any sense, the two teams mentioned as potential destinations, one was the show’s hometown affiliate, the Vancouver Canucks and also, the Montreal Canadiens. The Canadiens specifically, given the recent loss of sniper Patrik Laine to injury. The idea is both those teams would ideally be looking for a centre. That is why someone like Nazem Kadri has been floated around lately.
This leads to the discussion of whether Stamkos should just consider going somewhere to play as a winger. Stammer did score 40 goals only back to 2023-24, as a winger. Being a reliable, top-six centre, at 35, for a team looking for a playoff run, is a whole other beast.
The bigger discussion was more about a shake-up in Nashville, opposed to Stamkos necessarily being a preferred target by Vancouver, Montreal, or anybody for that matter. We will add, depending on the destination, and his anticipated role, that is the situation would have to right for Stamkos to be considered as a high-priority trade target.
They then brought up Ryan O’Reilly, who would seem to be more coveted. He’s a centre, packs some grit for the playoffs, and playing okay. O’Reilly nine points in 14 games. Not to mention, he’s a year younger than Stamkos and is in year three of a $4.5 million AAV contract. If teams really wanted to go shopping in Nashville, maybe O’Reilly is the priority.
Along with theme of mixing stuff up for Nashville, they also suggested GM Trotz somehow adjust roles and get behind the bench to help current head coach Andrew Brunette. Trotz, being a former coach himself, doesn’t want to put the struggles all on the coach. So, if there’s a way he can fix it, he might just be willing to go outside the box.
Nashville is currently 5-6-3 and sitting in fifth in the divisional standings. They need to find a way to switch things up, or they might just end up in seller mode. In either scenario, it seems the common theme is they will be active. Furthermore, they need to be proactive, to not let this season get away from them. GM Trotz wants to keep the ball in his court, so to speak.
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
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