With a file of 11-17-7 on the NHL commerce freeze, the Nashville Predators haven’t discovered themselves within the Stanley Cup-contending place they hoped for going into the season. At this charge, the Predators have a greater shot at touchdown the primary total decide than making the playoffs in April.
GM Barry Trotz has already made some trades hoping to interrupt the ice in Nashville, however nothing appears to work. Is it time to tug the plug in Nashville? Listed below are three potential gamers that Trotz might ship out to start the notorious tank.
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Gustav Nyquist: Outdated However Helpful
After placing up a career-high 75 factors final season, Nyquist, 35, seemed like a promising top-line piece for the Predators. This season, nevertheless, Nyquist simply isn’t the identical. In 34 video games, he has solely managed to file 13 factors, practically half the speed of what he was recording final season.
This doesn’t make Nyquist a low-value commerce piece, although, as he has had a really constant profession outdoors of Nashville. In Columbus, Nyquist recorded 117 factors in 200 video games. On his draft group, Detroit, he put up 295 factors in 481 video games, with 33 of his 125 targets being scored on the powerplay.
Any group would profit from a participant similar to Nyquist. His offensive ability, particularly on the powerplay, would bolster the offensive numbers of any squad.
Colton Sissons: Faceoff King
In his 652 profession video games, Sissons has solidified himself as a dependable bottom-six centerman for the Predators. Like Nyquist, final season was a profession yr as Sissons recorded 35 factors in 81 video games. This yr, the previous second-rounder has struggled to provide offensively, solely registering three factors in 34 video games.
If we’re pure potential, Sissons is a must have for any group. He’s reliable on the penalty kill, solely permitting three goals in 70 minutes. He’s moreover top-of-the-line faceoff takers within the league, successful 56% of faceoffs taken.
With a two-way upside, Trotz might get a strong return for the 11-year veteran of the Predators group.
Jeremy Lauzon: Hit Trick
The Predators maintain one of the crucial bodily gamers within the league on their roster in Jeremy Lauzon. Final season, Lauzon broke a daily season NHL file, touchdown the increase 387 occasions, 5 greater than the earlier holder Matt Martin.
Whereas he will not be the very best at holding the puck out of the online, having a profession plus/minus of -12, Lauzon makes a speciality of pressuring opposing puck management. His bodily play compares to retired defenseman Zdeno Chara, laying the physique every time it’s wanted.
In a league of elevated scoring, groups want gamers similar to Lauzon to stun offensive stars within the defensive zone.
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