NHLTR Mock Trade: Washington Capitals Trade Evgeny Kuznetsov to the Nashville Predators

The NHLTR mock trade series is where we'll showcase potential 2023 offseason trades. From minor moves to major transactions, everything will be covered as we try to predict how the chips may fall this summer across the NHL.

For today's deal, let's head to the retooling Nashville Predators to check in on the latest from Barry Trotz. The Preds GM has made some interesting moves to start the 2023 offseason and there's certainly more to come. Sounds like the Preds and Washington Capitals have held some trade discussions this summer, let's zone in on one potential deal which could transpire.

NHLTR Mock Trade: Capitals trade Evgeny Kuznetsov to the Predators for Dante Fabbro and a 2024 second-round pick.

Capitals perspective: At this point, Washington would be happy to give Kuznetsov away for nothing. He's been disciplined by the team on numerous occasions and the time has come for a change of scenery. The Russian forward has two seasons left on his deal at $7.8 million AAV. He recorded 55 points in 81 games in 2022-23 and has the game to bounce back and hit 75-80 points. In this deal the Caps would free themselves of over $5 million for this season and next, they'd land Fabbro who gets plugged onto their blue line and a draft pick to help stock the prospect cupboards.

Predators perspective: The Preds are looking to retool on the fly and need some more help down the middle. The have Ryan O'Reilly who does it all and adding Kuznetsov who is all offense, it could quickly become a nice complimentary one-two punch. Nashville is a party city so there's some potential things get off the rails Kuznetsov, but with hopefully some more maturity, he'd put his profession ahead of his leisurely activities. The Predators will be adding more this summer. Keep an eye on these two teams.

Lots of talk around Nashville's interest in a centre. Believe there were conversations around Washington's Evgeny Kuznetsov -- Barry Trotz sure knows him well -- but those appear to have quieted down.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 1, 2023