Nashville Predators GM Barry Trotz made the biggest splash in the summer’s NHL free-agent market, signing forwards Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and defenseman Brady Skjei.
However, the early results were disappointing, with the Predators sitting at the bottom of the Western Conference with a 4-8-1 record. The Tennessean‘s Alex Daugherty cited Trotz telling a local radio station that he could start his rebuilding process if his club doesn’t get things going soon.
Trotz said he’s trying to do some things to spark his club but is limited because of the contracts they carry. He could start calling up some promising youngsters if things don’t improve.
Daugherty reported Trotz clarified his rebuilding remarks, saying he doesn’t intend to tear things down to the studs. When he took over as GM last year, he planned to stockpile draft picks and prospects while maintaining a competitive roster.
Trotz stated his club is trying to find a second-line center, including trade options. If those aren’t available, he could move Stamkos to second-line center and call up a couple of promising wingers.
The Hockey News’ Rob Couch believes the Predators must continue altering their forward lines until something clicks except for the top line of Filip Forsberg, Ryan O’Reilly and Gustav Nyquist. Based on Trotz’s remarks about moving Stamkos to the second-line center role, that seems to be the plan for now.
Trotz also said veterans like Forsberg, O’Reilly, Stamkos, Marchessault, Skjei, Roman Josi and Juuse Saros aren’t moving. He gave a vote of confidence to coach Andrew Brunette, but it might be easier to make a change behind the bench than to shake up the roster.
Related: Opinion: Predators GM’s Comments About A Rebuild Raise Doubts
Turning to Boston, the Bruins are also off to a sputtering start. They were at the bottom of the Atlantic Division standings a week ago. Shutout victories over the Philadelphia Flyers and Seattle Kraken lifted them into fourth before getting blanked 4-0 by the Toronto Maple Leafs.
It’s too early to suggest possible trade candidates if the Bruins become sellers. Nevertheless, ESPN’s Kevin Weekes claimed forward Trent Frederic is garnering interest around the NHL.
Frederic is slated to become a UFA next July. Weekes indicated several teams like the 26-year-old forward’s “size, speed, toughness, character and skills.”
The Hockey News’ Bruins site editor Michael DeRosa mentioned Frederic has had a slow start to the season with only three points in 13 games. He added that Colorado, Minnesota and Los Angeles could be possible fits.
The Bruins won’t part with Frederic at this point in the season. However, he could be worth monitoring if they’re out of contention by the March 7 trade deadline.
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