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For now, no one knows how general manager Barry Trotz will reshape the Nashville Predators' roster before the league's March 6 (2 p.m. CT) trade deadline.
Since he announced his retirement on Feb. 2, he has kept his intentions vague. He has said he's willing to move anyone if it helps improve the franchise. But he also has said he wants to see how it plays out, curious if his team can make a playoff run.
The Predators (27-25-8, 62 points) are four points out of the final wild-card spot before their March 3 game on the road against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Big stars like Steven Stamkos and Ryan O'Reilly have said they want to stay in Nashville. Does that change if the team commits to selling at the deadline?
Predicting how this week plays out is like throwing darts, so here are four potential outcomes.
Outcome 1: Predators do nothing, Barry Trotz keeps roster as is
Trotz holds his team together for a desperation playoff push. Pending free agents Erik Haula and Michael McCarron are two of three viable centers on the team — you can't move them if you think you have a fighting chance. Michael Bunting is a likely 20-goal scorer by season's end and the Predators need all the depth scoring they can get.
Right now, this seems like the least likely outcome. Surely Trotz wants to cash in on at least one of their expiring contracts.
Outcome 2: One minor move, but Predators roster stays mostly intact
Trotz moves one of Haula, McCarron, Bunting or Cole Smith. This allows for a playoff push, but also adds assets to improve for the future. You'd only be acquiring mid-round draft picks, but that's the reality of what the Predators have to sell at this point.
This seems like a real possibility for Trotz. The former coach wants to tell his team "we believe in you" while also saying to the fan base "we understand we need to fix this." It's a half measure, but it keeps 90% of the team intact for meaningful hockey in March and April.
Outcome 3: Pending free agents traded, but O'Reilly and Stamkos stay
The roster is picked through by contending teams. Haula, McCarron, Smith, Bunting, maybe even Nick Blankenburg are sold off for draft picks and prospects. This leaves the team in dire straits for the rest of the season, but there's enough call-ups in AHL Milwaukee to satisfy the last month. Ryan Ufko, who leads the Admirals with 11 goals and 33 assists, makes a more permanent move to Nashville, plus maybe there's a debut for David Edstrom or Tanner Molendyk.
Importantly, this outcome assumes that O'Reilly and Stamkos are OK sticking around for a sudden rebuild. But that's no guarantee, in which case . . .
Outcome 4: Liquidation sale. O'Reilly, Stamkos, all free agents moved in massive overhaul
The Predators' roster as you know it is decimated. O'Reilly and Stamkos are sent to top contending teams. All other pending free agents are sold — maybe they even find a buyer for Jonathan Marchessault. All that remains is Filip Forsberg, Roman Josi, Brady Skjei and Juuse Saros surrounded by a roster of youth.
Consequently, Nashville's prospect pool instantly becomes one of the best in the league. The return for O'Reilly would almost certainly include a top NHL-ready prospect. The volume of draft picks would be astounding. This is the dream scenario for the "tank or else" crowd, but the whiplash would be painful — the Predators would not be a watchable product for at least three years, maybe more.
Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex at [email protected]. Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1. Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: What will Nashville Predators do at trade deadline? 4 likely outcomes