FOR BARRIE: The Nashville Predators Model is Working
Sure, the defense is an unproven hot mess that eats up cash and a potential hindrance to signing the to-be free agents. But did not the Nashville Predators prove that having handfuls of top-four talent is the key to getting what a team wants via trading?
When the Nashville Predators traded out defenseman Seth Jones for Vancouver-native center Ryan Johansen they extended their season by a couple of playoff series. They still managed to have Shea Weber, Ryan Ellis, Roman Josi, and Mattias Ekholm locked up for the next three years.
Of course, that is just one case that proves that defensive depth in the top-four is a powerful trading tool. But look at what the Canucks are amassing on the blueline and it sure looks like it will grow to be a point of surplus.
The Canucks will definitely need to make a “Johansen trade” if they aren’t able to find suitable free agent replacements for the lead pivot role.
I would have to think that a depth chart with Luca Sbisa and Nikita Tryamkin as the number six and number six defensemen, respectively, is a pretty deep one. Especially in a couple of years’ time.
Next: FOR BARRIE: A Trade Works Perfectly