Rumored Cost To Acquire Predators' Saros This Season

The Nashville Predators have exceeded expectations this season to this point, but have fallen out of a playoff spot with their recent losses. They are still very much in the wildcard race, but as we get closer to the trade deadline, questions arise as to what the Predators are going to do with their roster.

One of the biggest names in question is Juuse Saros. He is widely regarded as one of the better goaltenders in the league and finished top-six in Vezina Trophy voting in each of the past three seasons. This season he hasn't been his normal self, but the team is also not great in front of him. Between injuries and inconsistencies with many of the players, he sports just a .903 SV%. Don't let that distract you from the fact that he's averaged a .920 SV% over the past three seasons though.

The Predators are reportedly asking for a lot for the talented goaltender in his prime with one year left on his deal after this season at $5 million AAV. David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period says that the Predators likely want two first-round picks, a top prospect, and a fourth asset for Saros in a deal. This may take some teams out of the running, but this is realistically the only way Barry Trotz can be convinced to give up a franchise goalie like this one when he is in the midst of potentially building a group that can compete for a long time. Trading Saros this early negates any chance that the Predators would have at negotiating a contract. There is the potential that Saros is willing to sign a long-term deal with the Predators.

Nashville does have Yaroslav Askarov and he's had a nice first couple appearances in the NHL, but he is not yet ready to take on the full time starting duties. This would also kill the chances the Predators have at winning with Roman Josi on the team and Filip Forsberg in his prime.