Potential Fire Sale in Nashville Could Allow the Leafs to Bolster Their Roster in a Big Way
With Barry Trotz at his wits end, the Toronto Maple Leafs could look to capitalize on a potential fire sale should the Preds set a course for a total rebuild.
When Trotz took over as general manager in Nashville before the 2023-24 season, he was veering towards the path of a rebuild and set the stage with multiple moves that signalled the course. However, the Predators snuck into the playoffs after an amazing second-half run, which ultimately changed their course heading into the 2024 off-season.
Goaltender Juuse Saros was rumoured to have been on the block ahead of the trade deadline, but the Predators not only chose to keep him, they also extended him to an 8-year deal.
They then swung for the fences by signing free agents in Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Brady Skjei before trading their top goaltending prospect Yaroslav Askarov with no room on the NHL roster for the promising young netminder. Nashville went from rebuilding to playoff contenders with Stanley Cup aspirations within a calendar year. Unfortunately, a slow start may change their fortunes.
Sitting a 4-7-1 record and just ahead of the Philadelphia Flyers at the bottom of the league's standings, questions are being asked about the Predators and Trotz seems to be at his wits end just 12 games into the year.
What that means is anyone's guess, but it seems highly unlikely they can move on from the lengthy and expensive contracts of Stamkos, Marchessault, and Skjei straight away. Filip Forsberg is also signed until 2030 at $8.5 million, Roman Josi is under contract until 2028 at $9.07 million, and Saros' extension kicks in next year at $7.74 million.
Where the Maple Leafs can factor into this equation is everywhere else on the roster. They could look acquiring Thomas Novak, who holds an appealing $3.5 million dollar AAV until 2027. Colton Sissons has 2 years remaining at $2.86 million and may stand out as a good depth option, and even Gustav Nyquist could be a good acquisition since he's on an expiring contract and could be had for cheap with retained salary.
Defensively, they have a few options as well, like Alex Carrier and Dante Fabbro, but the Leafs already have too many cooks in the kitchen as is on the blueline. The only move on defense that makes sense is if it involves a clear upgrade.
A rebuilding plan would also mean that players like Philip Tomasino and Luke Evangelista would likely be unavailable, as they would be prime building blocks for the future. However, there are plenty of options for Brad Treliving and company to choose from should Trotz throw up the white flag this early on in the season.
