It’s time for another round of NHL rumours as we head towards the All-Star Break. The midway point of the season usually means the trade deadline will be upon us. Some teams will look to give players fresh starts while others are looking to make changes to their rosters. Will the moves be in line with a retool or a rebuild? Today’s NHL rumours focus on the Ottawa Senators and Nashville Predators.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Ottawa Senators
Rumour: Chris Johnston and Harman Dayal of The Athletic composed a list of 10 players that could get a fresh start via the upcoming NHL trade deadline on March 8. One of the names on the list was Senators defenceman Erik Brannstrom.
10 NHL players who are falling out of favour and emerging as under the radar trade candidates, from me and @reporterchris: https://t.co/pe656cmYAx
— Harman Dayal (@harmandayal2) January 23, 2024
Analysis: New general manager Steve Staios has some decisions that he needs to make in the next couple of months. Staios has made mention in the past few weeks that he’d love to get “professionals” on the Senators roster. This might mean some players are going to go out the door.
Brannstrom has struggled to get minutes at times in Ottawa. He’s fourth on the depth chart on the left side on what should be a good Senators defence on paper. Thomas Chabot, Jake Sanderson and Jakob Chychrun are all in front of Brannstrom on that side of the ice. Chychrun’s name has been tossed around in the rumours in recent weeks. He could get a nice return if the Senators do want to pull the trigger on a trade.
Is Brannstrom Going on the Block?
However, Johnston and Dayal’s list focused on Brannstrom. Many thought he would be the big prize in the trade that sent Mark Stone to the Vegas Golden Knights. Brannstrom did take some steps forward last season, but hasn’t parlayed that into sustained minutes. He was even tried on the wing on a few different occasions for Ottawa.
It seems to be a numbers and a style game as to why Brannstrom may be shipped out of Ottawa. He has plenty of offensive potential, but the Senators need to get more defencemen that can handle their business in the defensive zone. Brannstrom is also a restricted free agent with a $2 million qualifying offer due. A team at the deadline might be willing to take a chance on a younger player with some upside.
Nashville Predators
Rumour: Nashville general manager Barry Trotz said the team will be some movement at the deadline during a segment on 102.5 The Game on local radio.
#Preds GM Barry Trotz tells 102.5 The Game that he expects to make some moves at the trade deadline
Says he called some fellow GMs during the team's last road trip to gauge what's out there
— Michael Gallagher (@MGsports_) January 22, 2024
Analysis: The Predators look like a team that will make some moves. However, no one knows the nature of these moves. Will it be a retool or a complete rebuild? Nashville is in among the pack of teams that are slugging it out for a Western Conference playoff spot. Are the Predators going to roll the dice or will they stockpile assets?
Nashville has some good young pieces that might be itching for a chance with the big club. One of the biggest prospects is potential goalie of the future Yaroslav Askarov. He is tearing it up in AHL Milwaukee and looks to be the heir apparent to Juuse Saros. The latter has a contract due at the end of next season. Does Trotz hand the net over to Askarov in order to save some cap space?
There are also a number of unrestricted free agents that could be moved for assets should the Predators want to rebuild. Tommy Novak, Tyson Barrie, Alexandre Carrier and Denis Gurianov are just a few of the UFAs that could be moved.
Nashville did get a nice return when it moved Tanner Jeannot to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Trotz also did some work in the off-season to gather some assets. We’ll likely see some more wheeling and dealing from the Predators at this deadline.
Main photo by: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
