Maple Leafs Lose Potential Trade Partner Following Insider Pierre Lebrun's Latest Report
A potential trade option for the Toronto Maple Leafs appears to be less likely as Barry Trotz and the last place Nashville Predators are not focused on hitting the panic button just yet.
Speaking to Pierre LeBrun of 'The Athletic', Nashville Predators General Manager Barry Trotz said the team isn't in a crisis mode after struggling to start the season despite their high-cost offseason that was supposed to bring the team into win-now mode, having since done the opposite.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have been searching for potential help on both offense and defense. One option that would have made sense on the defensive end for Toronto is Alexandre Carrier, where the 28-year-old could have been a potential option for the Leafs to fill a hole at RHD.
However, Nashville quickly dosed off that possibility by moving Carrier to the Leafs rival, the Montreal Canadiens, in exchange for defenseman Justin Barron.
Barry Trotz says the Predators, despite being last in the NHL with 24 points, are not planning on being a team that commits to a full rebuild and losing their win-now focus.
The Leafs, also looking for forward help, have been linked in reports to former Leaf Ryan O'Reilly.
Also a potential target for Toronto from Nashville is center Juuso Parssinen, the 23-year-old having been reported as a likely depature from the Predators.
Predators Keep Firm On Contention Goals Despite Sitting In NHL's Basement
It's no surprise for the Predators given the money dished out in free agency to ensure the team's competitiveness in the short term.
Nashville gave Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos a four-year, $32M contract, Jonathan Marchessault given five-years for $27.5M, and Brady Skjei a massive seven-year deal at $49M.
For just this season alone, the three are making $20.5M in 2024-25, and all three are in their 30's, signed for Nashville to contend for a cup sooner rather than later. That doesn't include the eight-year contract given to netminder Juuse Saros, and the trade of top prospect goalie Yaroslav Askarov, signaling Nashville wanted a cup run.
In last place, this season doesn't look it'll be the realization of that goal set out by Trotz. Despite this, Trotz says to not expect him to become a seller.
This doesn't keep the Predators out as a trade partner with the Toronto Maple Leafs, but shows a deal involving Nashville isn't one Barry Trotz is going to make in order to shake the team up, still confident in his team's future.
