So we shift our focus to Nashville, who would be a great trading partner with GM Peter Chiarelli and the Bruins. The Preds have the prospects Boston would want, and Kessel is exactly what the Predators need up front. Remember, the B’s would be looking for prospects since they’re up against the salary cap. In Nashville, Kessel would fill the shoes left by Alexander Radulov last summer when he defected to Russia.
If you ask me, the Preds NEED to get serious about bringing in this young, talented goal-scorer (if they aren’t already). Fans in the Music City are tired of coming up short on acquiring this kind of star power. This is GM David Poile’s chance to add a potent scorer to the Predators’ lineup as training camp opens. I think he’d be a perfect complement to David Legwand and Martin Erat on the 2nd line, and would improve the power play dramatically.
I wouldn’t mind Kessel having to sit out ‘til November rehabbing from shoulder surgery. Their current roster can keep the team above water, and he would be coming in almost like a mid-season pickup. Poile would need to sign him as he’s looking for a deal anywhere from $4-5 million. Their current cap hit is right at $40 million, leaving $16+ million under the cap. This potential deal would likely put Poile over his ‘budget’, but it’d be well worth it when he’s watching his Preds in the playoffs next spring with #81 in blue and gold!
