{"id":70580,"date":"2020-03-05T08:30:06","date_gmt":"2020-03-05T13:30:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/?p=70580"},"modified":"2020-12-21T14:58:36","modified_gmt":"2020-12-21T19:58:36","slug":"nhl-rumours-nashville-predators-florida-panthers-salary-cap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2020\/03\/05\/nhl-rumours-nashville-predators-florida-panthers-salary-cap\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Rumours: Nashville Predators, Florida Panthers, Salary Cap"},"content":{"rendered":"

Even as everything has seemingly calmed down post-Trade Deadline, the Last Word on Hockey team is still here with our daily NHL Rumours<\/a> pieces. Each article takes some of the biggest rumours from around the NHL and offers our writers’ analysis of each one. Today’s edition looks at the happenings of the Nashville Predators<\/a> and Florida Panthers<\/a> while also taking a look at the future of the NHL’s salary cap.<\/p>\n

NHL Rumours<\/h2>\n

Nashville Predators<\/h3>\n

Rumour: In a Q&A with Preds general manager\u00a0David Poile<\/strong><\/em>,\u00a0The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun mentions that the long-serving GM is interested in retaining the services of<\/a> both\u00a0Mikael Granlund<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Craig Smith<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>for next year.<\/em><\/p>\n

Analysis:\u00a0<\/em>In an inconsistent year for the Predators, both Granlund and Smith have been inconsistent as well. While Granlund has had a couple of big goals lately and has been one of the Preds’ best forwards recently, he’s still only tied for tenth on the team in points with Smith. The two Nashville forwards both have 30 points on the season. Smith has potted 18 goals, while Granlund has 17.<\/p>\n

Both Granlund and Smith have seen much different usage this season, though. While Granlund has seen about four more minutes of ice time per game than Smith, Smith has a +18 rating compared to Granlund’s -3. That’s a stark difference. Smith has arguably been the more consistent of the two, as he’s produced right around his expectations. Granlund, while turning it on as of late, has largely underproduced for Nashville this season. Surprisingly, Poile is interested in retaining his services, considering he hasn’t been the best fit for the team. Smith, however, is a longtime Pred who is an important locker room presence for the squad – it’s easy to see why Poile wants to keep him around.<\/p>\n

Florida Panthers<\/h3>\n

Rumour: Per Elliotte Friedman’s ever-dependable 31 Thoughts podcast, the Panthers may be interested in breaking up their core<\/a> if the rest of this season doesn’t pan out.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Sorry a bit delayed today coming back from meetings: https:\/\/t.co\/qfSJQ9Is9V<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) March 4, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n