Locked On Predators - Daily Podcast On The Nashville Predators · Ann Kimmel, Locked On Podcast Network, Nick Morgan

Predators TRADE DEADLINE Preview | Who’s Staying, Who’s Going?

·43 min·3 clips

The Predators have $27.8 million at the trade deadline, one of the heftiest totals in the NHL.

This episode previews the Nashville Predators' strategy ahead of the NHL trade deadline on March 6th. Host Jack Williams, the Predators beat writer for The Hockey News, analyzes the team's financial flexibility and roster decisions. He frames the discussion around a recent article he wrote, promising to dissect potential moves. The Predators will have approximately $27.8 million in deadline cap space, one of the larger totals in the league. Players with full no-movement clauses include Filip Forsberg, Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, Roman Josi, Brady Skjei, and Juuse Saros. The team carries buyouts for Matt Duchene and Kyle Turris, plus retained salaries for traded players Colton Sissons and Mattias Ekholm. Key pending unrestricted free agents are Michael Bunting, Erik Haula, Cole Smith, Michael McCarron, Tyson Jost, Andreas Englund, and Nick Blankenburg. Nashville possesses a significant stockpile of draft picks, including 11 selections already for the 2026 and 2027 drafts. Williams argues Steven Stamkos is unlikely to be traded because his no-movement clause means he would need to request a move. He identifies Ryan O'Reilly as a more plausible trade candidate because O'Reilly lacks any contract protection. General Manager Barry Trotz reportedly seeks a "one-for-one" trade for a high-caliber player if O'Reilly is moved, not a package of draft picks and lesser players. Potential landing spots for O'Reilly include the San Jose Sharks, with Jeff Skinner or Tomas Hertl as possible returns, or the Detroit Red Wings, in a blockbuster for young star Lucas Raymond. The Edmonton Oilers, potentially offering defenseman Evan Bouchard, are mentioned as a less likely option. Michael Bunting is highlighted as perhaps the most appealing trade chip, a productive bottom-six forward on an expiring contract. Erik Haula and Nick Blankenburg are also noted as valuable veterans on expiring deals who could bolster a contender's depth. Williams suggests the team might consider offloading Michael McCarron, Cole Smith, or Nick Perbix to seek more offensive production. The host's final opinion on O'Reilly hinges on the team's performance in games leading into the deadline, stating a losing streak could precipitate a trade. The tone is analytical and conversational, blending specific contract details with the host's personal opinions and evaluations. The style is educational, walking listeners through the team's cap situation and exploring realistic trade frameworks. This episode is ideal for Nashville Predators fans seeking a detailed, numbers-driven breakdown of the team's deadline options. Listeners looking for broad NHL rumor speculation or entertainment-focused banter might find it too team-specific and data-heavy.

As heard by us

A practical deadline primer for Predators fans, built on roster fit and trade-market reality.

This Predators deadline preview treats rumor season like roster math. Instead of chasing names for noise, it keeps circling the real question: what kind of move would actually fit Nashville, and what Barry Trotz is trying to buy.

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Why you'd press play

If you want Nashville's trade-deadline math without the rumor fog.

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