TSN’s Chris Johnston has make clear Nashville Predators GM Barry Trotz’s current remarks about presumably initiating a “rebuild plan” if the workforce’s struggles proceed. Regardless of preliminary issues from followers {that a} full-scale teardown may be what Trotz was threatening, Johnston believes Trotz wasn’t referring to a drastic overhaul in any respect. As an alternative, the GM may very well be contemplating making a short-term transfer to bolster the roster.
Johnston mentioned that Trotz was merely acknowledging that issues may need to vary.
Particularly, Johnston notes that the Predators have struggled offensively at 5-on-5 and will look so as to add one other heart to handle that situation. Having spent a ton of cash through the offseason, the Predators have some high-end expertise, however the center of their roster may be missing the depth the workforce wants and the combination isn’t proper.
“It hasn’t labored thus far with the ahead combine, specifically, Nashville’s not scored lots at 5-on-5 to start out this yr. They spent some huge cash on Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault, they really feel they may use one other heart…’
In different phrases, Trotz understands he invested closely within the workforce making fast enhancements and he doesn’t wish to see that funding go to waste. He would possibly double down earlier than he pivots fully.
The Predators Will Exhaust All Choices Earlier than Promoting Off Gamers in a “Rebuild”
The workforce shouldn’t be but at a degree the place it’s actively seeking to promote gamers. Trotz desires to provide the group time to bond, particularly with an upcoming highway journey that might assist spark higher chemistry. Elliotte Friedman famous when talking with the Fan Hockey Present that he’s attempting to encourage the workforce and light-weight a hearth beneath the group. It’s not new info that Predators wish to discover a heart, “However top-six facilities are actually laborious to seek out.”
The workforce has a gap on the No. 2 heart place. They tried a number of gamers and accidents have struck, making issues extra sophisticated.
Whereas Trotz acknowledged his frustrations over the workforce’s sluggish begin following a significant offseason funding of $108.5 million in stars like Stamkos, Marchessault, and Brady Skjei, he emphasised that his focus stays on preserving Nashville aggressive. That may imply giving youthful gamers a shot. He may commerce Dante Fabbro or others if he needed to. However, he’s not making drastic adjustments.
“If we don’t get it going, then I’m going to start out our rebuild plan,” Trotz defined. What that plan would possibly truly entail stays to be seen. There are quite a lot of different issues that Trotz will attempt first.
However, to be clear, buying and selling cornerstone gamers akin to Roman Josi, Juuse Saros, Filip Forsberg, Stamkos, or Marchessault usually are not on the desk.
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