Predators could trade for former first rounder, trying to salvage season | Sporting News

The Nashville Predators are this seasons biggest disappointment .

With a record of 8-17-6, theyre dead last in the league.

Because Nashvilles struggles dont completely make sense , General Manager Barry Trotz is going to try and add before tearing it all down and undergoing a rebuild .

Emma Lingen of The Hockey News names Nashville as a potential landing spot for Buffalo Sabres forward Dylan Cozens .

Buffalo isnt necessarily looking to make a trade , but both teams are desperate.

Buffalo has lost ten straight games, and Nashville has been underperforming all season.

This seems like a trade partnership made in heaven.

Dylan Cozens hasnt lived up to the seven year $7.1 million per contract he signed after a career year in 2022-23.

If the Sabres do end up making a big move, hell likely be the man out.

He has 179 points in 311 career games played at the NHL level.

Why it would work Cozens is just 23, and could immediately slot into Nashvilles top-six.

His ability to play either center or wing would give the Predators flexibility, although they do need a second-line center.

If Cozens can find his game, he could easily be a 31 goal, 68 point player like he was in 2022-23.

He can play on the powerplay which would be helpful, considering that Nashvilles is the 25th ranked powerplay in the league with an 18% success rate.

Why it wouldnt work Nashville doesnt have enough salary cap space to take on Cozens full $7.1 million contract, so theyd have to send a player back the other way.

Nashville is likely in too deep to make the playoffs this season, so adding another skill player might just result in them getting a lower draft pick.

And, of course, if Cozens cant regain his form, his $7.1 million cap hit would complicate any future contention dreams.

What he would cost Cozens was taken with the seventh overall pick in the 2019 draft.

Hes just 23, and has been a 30 goal scorer before.

Thus, he wont be very cheap.

Nashville likely wont part with their first round draft pick theyre projected to pick in the top three but they have both Vegas and Tampa Bays first rounders.

Cozens might be had for one of those first round picks, as well as a prospect or younger NHL roster player..

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