Predators Now Focusing On Two Spots In Trade Talks

To say that the Nashville Predators' season has not gone as expected is an understatement. Going into Sunday night's game, they've won just two of their last 10 and are now dead last in the Central Division at 5-10-3.

This all comes after their big offseason free agent splashes, signing Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei, which led to nhl.com to call them "arguably the most-improved team in the NHL" and suggesting that "their Stanley Cup window has reopened."

Now? Not so much.

The word has been out for the last couple of weeks that the Preds are active on the trade market—"If we don’t get it going, then I’m going to start our rebuild plan,” said GM Barry Trotz—and while we had heard that a top-six forward was on their radar, we now get an update from insider Elliotte Friedman on Hockey Night in Canada:

Everybody knows (the Predators) been looking for a center, (but) I think they’re looking at their blueline too.

The second-line center spot has been a real drag on the forward corps, with Colton Sissons occupying it for large chunks of time, and contributing just two points in 17 games thus far (zero assists) with a plus/minus rating of -13.

On defense, Alexandre Carrier has become a trade candidate, Dante Fabbro was already placed on waivers and claimed by the Columbus Blue Jackets, and outside of the top pairing of Roman Josi and Skjei, Nashville could use plenty of upgrades.

They will continue to be a team to watch on the trade market.