The Nashville Predators are in a difficult spot ahead of the March 6 NHL Trade Deadline. Only 4 points out of a wildcard berth within the Western Conference, there’s a sensible path to the postseason for the club — but they do not project as legitimate Stanley Cup contenders.
For that reason, GM Barry Trotz, who’s planning to step down, could sell a few pieces if the suitable offers present themselves.
As The Fourth Period reported on Tuesday, there are two veteran forwards almost certainly to be shipped out of Tennessee between now and next Friday.
“Forwards Erik Haula and Jonathan Marchessault have generated interest from several clubs this season and each could possibly be on the move by deadline day,” wrote TFP. “Trotz is navigating Nashville’s trade deadline because the club searches for a brand new GM – he announced earlier this month that he could be retiring after the club finds a brand new GM – and is open to creating changes to his roster.
“Haula appears to be a major candidate to be moved, in consequence of his expiring contract, but moving Marchessault would generate a bigger return for the Predators and there may be a belief that he could be willing to waive his NMC for the suitable opportunity.”
Haula and Marchessault are only a few Nashville players on the block, potentially joining just a few other veterans in Steven Stamkos and Ryan O’Reilly. That is not to say the laundry list of other skaters on expiring contracts, including Michael Bunting, Cole Smith, Tyson Jost, Michael McCarron and Nick Blankenburg.
Haula is in the ultimate season of a three-year, $9.45 million contract. He was excellent for Finland within the Olympics, managing six points in six games. He owns a six-team no-trade list.
As for former Conn Smythe Trophy winner Marchessault, he owns a full no-movement clause and still has three more years left on his contract at a $5.5 million cap hit. He would wish to log out on any deal that might potentially ship him out of town.
Predators need to enhance team play after Olympic break
It truly is a difficult position for the front office to navigate, because the Predators have been up-and-down in 2025-26. After starting the season 6-12-4, Stamkos’ resurgence helped the team improve to 23-20-4 in the midst of January.
Nevertheless it was a difficult three-week stretch before the 2026 Winter Olympics; the Preds lost seven of 10 games, putting them back within the murky middle of the Western Conference.
While there is a path to this group staying competitive to the bitter end, there are a ton of helpful trade chips on the roster that would recoup significant draft capital for the longer term.
TFP’s David Pagnotta reported throughout the Olympic break that “the Predators had been working on one or two trades prior to the trade freeze and people discussions are expected to select up now that the season has resumed, though it’s unclear if Haula or Marchessault were a part of those talks.”
It’ll be interesting to see how the team fares over their final five contests before the March 6 deadline — and which veterans could possibly be getting a change of scenery between at times.