Predators “Don’t Have Appetite” to Match Saros $ Demands; Trade Likely

We heard the trade talk back at the deadline, and Juuse Saros's name is still on the rumor mill as a very real trade possibility this offseason for the Nashville Predators. As one of the top goaltenders in the game, he is certainly in demand if GM Barry Trotz decides to pull the trigger. 

And according to insider David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period this week, despite the company line coming out of Nashville that they hope to hold on to Saros, it sounds like a trade is more likely than not:

The word is, (Saros) wants that $8 million to $8.25 million (AAV), he wants that Sorokin deal (8 yrs x $8.25M, kicking in this season with the NYI), and I don't think Nashville has the appetite to give him that deal... They can say whatever they want, (but) they had trade discussions during the season and I expect that will continue during the summer. 

Saros has one year to run on his $5 million AAV deal, and the Predators have said they will "work hard" on an extension agreement with the 29 year old this offseason. But the fact remains that they have one of the top goaltending prospects in the game knocking on the door, in Jaroslav Askarov. They could use Saros to add help elsewhere on the roster.

There are plenty of teams who have been linked to a potential Saros trade, including the Toronto Maple Leafs, New Jersey Devils and LA Kings, all of whom are searching for a No. 1 lockdown goalie.  

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