Insider: 4 Trade Destinations For Juuse Saros

The Nashville Predators are on the bubble once again for a playoff spot in the Western Conference, and if GM Barry Trotz has any thoughts of a major shakeup, nothing would shake the Preds' foundation as much as trading the backbone of the franchise, goaltender Juuse Saros. 

NHL Insider Pierre LeBrun did say earlier this month that "the Predators feel they have no choice but to listen if a team puts in a serious, serious offer."

Saros has a .918 career save percentage and despite a down season, we all know the 28-year-old netminder is still one of the best in the game as he has been for close to a decade. Also to consider: The Preds have one of the top goalie prospects in hockey dominating down in the AHL with the Milwaukee Admirals in Yaroslav Askarov, so they'd have a ready-made replacement between the pipes in Nashville.

In an updated Daily Faceoff report, insider Matt Larkin suggest these four teams as the most likely landing spots for Saros IF the Predators do pull the trigger. 

Carolina Hurricanes

The Canes could be a serious Stanley Cup contender, if they could just fix their situation in the crease. Their Sv% is currently 31st in the NHL at .888. Saros, even in a down year, is at .903, with every reason to expect that will trend up more towards his career .918 mark. That could take the Hurricanes over the top.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Goaltending has been an issue in Toronto all season. Their No. 1, Joseph Woll has been on IR for a couple of months with a high ankle sprain, and as a rookie, there's no telling how he might respond when he returns. Trading for a star netminder could set the team up to be a true contender.

However, this would have made a lot more sense even a week or two ago. But Ilya Samsonov, who was a fine No. 1 last season, has come back from his brief exile off the roster looking like a new man. It's only a couple of games, of course, but the Leafs might be more confident in their goaltending going forward than they were earlier in the season.

New Jersey Devils

There's been no secret around the league this year that the Devils are in the market for some goaltending help. They currently sit 30th in the NHL in Sv% and 29th in goals against per game at 3.55. 

Los Angeles Kings

Things are not good in LaLa Land these days, as the Kings have lost four straight and have won just two of their last 10 games. Although acquiring Saros would certainly shake things up, it doesn't seem as though goaltending is their real problem, however, as they still sit top 10 in the NHL in Sv%, and top 5 in goals against. 

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