I'd don't like NN trade, however at least it is move in the right direction, finally.
Why it's bad deal for the Preds:
Poile had to retain 2 millions of NN salary and sell him for 1st round pick and more. NN for 2m, with 1 more year - is absolutely amazing for any real contender. That's why all people blaming GMDP. I am totally agree with them. He and Hynes should go after the end of the season.
Sell hard. Retain some money. Get bigger value.
3-4 years of good deals (this deal isn't good), and this team will be decent PO team.
This draft is something special, and it will be in Nashville. There is no better time to start retooling.
Moreover, the thing, that he is not selling with salary retention - means, that he is still believe in this group in next year. That's also seems totally stupid.
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Let's compare this trade with otherTDL deal:
ARTTURI LEHKONEN (50% retained) - 1,150,000$ last year of the contract.
He has no 20 goals season, and was 26 y.o.
29 points(13 goals) in 59 games before trade.
for
2024 2nd round pick
and
Justin Barron (former first round pick, pretty solid RHD prospect)
In which world NN with 2m contract for this and next season, will not let you late 1st and more?
Instead of that, GMDP "save" 2m and trade him only for a second!
Let's be logically:
1) This trade shows us that Preds are in sale mode?
Yes!
2) This team has a chance to be a playoff team next season?
No!
So, why the hell, you can't retain this ***ING 2 millions (which you already paying to Turris every year)? Retain money and gain way more valuable assets!
This 2 millions means nothing to you next season, because your team isn't playoff caliber team, and there's no matter that your division opponent will be way better with 2m Nino, than with 4m Nino.
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According to different sources, Preds can trade anyone but Forsberg, Josi and Saros.
*Idk why Saros isn't available, we just have no chance to win a cup in next 2-3 seasons. So there is no reason to keep his talent in Nashville right now. Maybe Poile will trade him before or at the draft for another top 15 draft pick in 2023. To Ottawa, for example.
So, write your trade ideas in comment section.
I think, Preds will trade 3 more players at TDL:
Fabbro
Lankinen
Trenin
Ekholm will be nice addition to any playoff contender, but it is hard to make it work, due to money and term of his contract. Probably he will be traded this off-season.
Wasn't Lehkonen an RFA though, there was potential for him to be a longer term piece for whoever acquired him then just 1.5 years like Nino was, gotta think Lehkonen being an RFA and younger boosted his value a bit.