Key Takeaways:
– Following a trade that cleared a significant amount in cap room, rumors are circulating about the Nashville Predators potential interest in acquiring Toronto Maple Leafs forward, Mitch Marner.
– Nashville’s General Manager, Barry Trotz, dismissed the rumors as mere speculation.
– The Predators made a preseason trade with Tampa Bay sending veteran Ryan McDonagh to free up $6.75 million in cap space.
– Fan speculations suggest Leafs may trade Marner in exchange for Predators’ goaltender Juuse Saros.
Nashville-McDonagh Trade Fuels Speculation
After losing the first round to the Vancouver Canucks, the Nashville Predators immediately took steps to turn the page on the past season. The team took the initiative to complete the early high-profile trade of the offseason. This move resulted in a significant amount of money freed up in the Predator’s cap room, sparking rumors about an anticipated trade for Toronto Maple Leafs forward, Mitch Marner.
Nashville’s General Manager, Barry Trotz, addressed these rumors in a press conference on May 21. When questioned by Alex Daugherty of Tennessean, Trotz humorously brushed off the queries, dismissing them as speculations.
Cap Room Increased by McDonagh Trade
In an attempt to make room in their cap space, the Predators traded veteran Ryan McDonagh back to Tampa Bay. This move cleared a generous $6.75 million from the Predator’s books, providing them additional financial leeway moving into the offseason. Interestingly, the Predators retained no wages or salaries following the trade, implying that the Lightning took on the full financial responsibility.
Marner is currently contract-bound, and an acquisition ahead of the next season would require a strategic trade. According to PuckPedia, Marner’s existing $65.4 million contract is valid through June 30, 2025.
However, Predators would need to manage their salary allocation meticulously to afford Marner, who is due to earn $10.9 million. PuckPedia’s projections reveal that the Predators will potentially have $26.02 million in cap space by July 1.
Potential Marner-Saros “Hockey Trade”
Fans of both the Leafs and the Predators have been discussing a possible Marner trade even before the May 21 McDonagh trade. The notion of a classic “hockey trade” seems to be gaining traction among supporters, with each club filling a need in the other’s roster.
The Hockey Writer’s Spencer Lazary initially proposed the idea of the Leafs trading Marner for Predators’ goalie Juuse Saros on May 8. In Lazary’s proposition, the Leafs would trade Marner and Calle Jarnkrok to Predators, gaining Saros, Jeremy Lauzon, and two future draft picks in return.
Trade Could Benefit Both Parties
Revisiting his proposal on May 21, Lazary noted that the salaries would have to sync while coping with imminent free agency for a successful trade. Lazary voiced optimism about the feasibility of the proposed deal following the Predators’ tactical McDonagh trade to Tampa Bay.
“If the deal is successful,” Lazary said, “both franchises stand to gain.” The trade would add offensive power to the Predators’ lineup, while the Leafs would enjoy goalkeeping stability with Saros.
This speculation-fueled Marner-Saros trade conversation substantiates how active the Predators have been throughout the offseason. Surely, more intriguing moves will occur as the NHL season unfolds.