Coconuts Posted January 20 Posted January 20 https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/2825234 A couple days old, but interesting nonetheless The Nashville Predators aren't completely slamming the door on trading star goaltender Juuse Saros. While the No. 1 plan remains signing Saros to an offseason extension, the club is willing to listen if it gets a serious trade offer, reports TSN's Pierre LeBrun. The demand for reliable goaltending among contending teams is the primary reason for the Predators' new-found openness to entertain offers, LeBrun added. Saros has established himself as one of the NHL's premier netminders over the last few seasons, never finishing worse than sixth in Vezina Trophy voting since 2021. However, Saros is in the midst of his worst NHL campaign. He entered the year without ever recording a save percentage below .915 in a season, but he sits at .900 so far in 2023-24. The underlying numbers aren't any better, as his minus-0.23 goals save above expected also stands to be the worst of his career, per Evolving-Hockey. For comparison, he saved 45.5 goals above expected last year, the second most in the league. Nashville drafted Saros in the fourth round in 2013. He shared the crease with the legendary Pekka Rinne until his fellow Finn retired in 2021. Since then, Saros has started a league-leading 164 games. Saros' $5-million cap hit, tied for the 14th-highest among NHL goalies this season, would be appealing for teams. The 28-year-old is under contract through 2024-25 and is eligible to sign an extension July 1. The Predators entered Thursday occupying the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference with a handful of teams on their tails. MoneyPuck gives them a 43.8% chance of making the postseason. Quote
Snoop Hogg Posted January 20 Posted January 20 They should hold onto him, unless they get a king’s ransom for him, and I think they will. Quote
Gurn Posted January 20 Posted January 20 Edmonton looks at their roster, and wonders what Nashville would want from them. Quote
Pears Posted January 20 Posted January 20 Just feels like Saros and Carolina are a match made in heaven. Quote
Snoop Hogg Posted January 20 Posted January 20 (edited) 8 minutes ago, Gurn said: Edmonton looks at their roster, and wonders what Nashville would want from them. Nashville doesn’t really want to move him, so I’m thinking probably Draisaitl/Nugent-Hopkins as a starting point. Edited January 20 by Snoop Hogg 1 Quote
Snoop Hogg Posted January 20 Posted January 20 2 minutes ago, Pears said: Just feels like Saros and Carolina are a match made in heaven. They just acquired the saviour, the illustrious Spencer Martin. Quote
Master Mind Posted January 20 Posted January 20 They do have Askarov in the pipeline, so maybe they can afford to move Saros. Saros, Gibson, Merzlikins, with Edmonton, Carolina, New Jersey wanting upgrades. Cap making it difficult for any of these trades to happen. Quote
Coconuts Posted January 20 Author Posted January 20 (edited) 15 minutes ago, Gurn said: Edmonton looks at their roster, and wonders what Nashville would want from them. Earlier in the season, maybe, but Skinner is 20-9 He, like the rest of the Oil, have been much improved since the firing Less pressure for then to make a tending change Edited January 20 by Coconuts 1 1 Quote
Coconuts Posted January 20 Author Posted January 20 10 minutes ago, Pears said: Just feels like Saros and Carolina are a match made in heaven. It'd make a lot of sense, not sure Raanta is up to it Quote
Pears Posted January 20 Posted January 20 2 minutes ago, Coconuts said: It'd make a lot of sense, not sure Raanta is up to it Honestly them and New Jersey should be throwing everything they have at Nashville for Saros. Either would be serious contenders with him in net. 1 Quote
Coconuts Posted January 20 Author Posted January 20 1 minute ago, Pears said: Honestly them and New Jersey should be throwing everything they have at Nashville for Saros. Either would be serious contenders with him in net. Agreed Jersey was supposedly sniffing around Gibson earlier this season, them making a tending change wouldn't be surprising 1 Quote
boziffous Posted January 20 Posted January 20 19 minutes ago, Coconuts said: Earlier in the season, maybe, but Skinner is 20-9 He, like the rest of the Oil, have been much improved since the firing Less pressure for then to make a tending change To add to this Stuart Skinner since 11/11/23 23 games 19 wins 4 losses .921 sv% 2.15 GAA 1 Quote
Phil_314 Posted January 21 Posted January 21 3 hours ago, Pears said: Just feels like Saros and Carolina are a match made in heaven. Interesting, Saros for Andersen (doubt they'd move Kochetkov), Teravainen (with extension, gets cap out; Preds also get a serviceable depth scorer), maybe plus a pick? Goalies rarely net much in return in trades, and they're getting two NHL caliber players (not sure they could get Fast or Necas who are both pending FAs, since both GMs are among the savviest in the league). Quote
Guest Posted January 23 Posted January 23 I wonder what the price would be for Saros... I always thought he was a bit overrated, but he would definitely help some teams. Quote
Morrissex95 Posted January 23 Posted January 23 Saros to the Devils/Hurricanes for a serviceable goalie, a first round pick and a prospect For the goalie, the 'Canes have Andersen and the Devils have Vanecek. For the pick, both teams have their own picks. Both Carolina and New Jersey possess a strong pool of serviceable prospect that would help make a deal for an elite net minder like Saros worthwhile. This is Trotz' first big test as the Predators GM, hopefully he does well. Quote
Dizzle Posted January 23 Posted January 23 2 hours ago, Morrissex95 said: Saros to the Devils/Hurricanes for a serviceable goalie, a first round pick and a prospect For the goalie, the 'Canes have Andersen and the Devils have Vanecek. For the pick, both teams have their own picks. Both Carolina and New Jersey possess a strong pool of serviceable prospect that would help make a deal for an elite net minder like Saros worthwhile. This is Trotz' first big test as the Predators GM, hopefully he does well. I highly doubt Saros is bringing back a first. That being said, the goalie market is always weird and Edmonton or tortonto should be all over this b Quote
Coconuts Posted February 27 Author Posted February 27 Preds won't move Saros so long as they're in the hunt, which leaves fewer big ticket tenders available https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/2854667/report-predators-wont-trade-saros-while-in-playoff-spot Quote
Miss Korea Posted February 27 Posted February 27 1 hour ago, Coconuts said: Preds won't move Saros so long as they're in the hunt, which leaves fewer big ticket tenders available https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/2854667/report-predators-wont-trade-saros-while-in-playoff-spot Nashville has a similar goalie situation like Calgary. Similar, but not identical. I think Askarov is a younger, superior version of Dustin Wolf. He looks ready to be an NHL backup and maybe one year away from emerging as a starter. So... the timeline is a bit awkward. Not sure how much value goalies have at the deadline, especially next year when Saros is an expiring UFA. Quote
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