Report: Predators open to trading a center
With the free-agent market lacking impact centers, the Nashville Predators are open to moving one of their pivots, according to TSN's Frank Seravalli.
Nashville has Matt Duchene, Ryan Johansen, Kyle Turris, and Nick Bonino down the middle of the ice - none of whom have any trade protection.
Duchene signed a seven-year, $56-million contract last offseason, but he underachieved during his first year in the Music City, collecting 42 points in 66 games.
Johansen was also a disappointment in 2019-20, tallying just 36 points in 68 contests. The 28-year-old is signed for five more campaigns with an $8-million cap hit.
Turris is coming off two straight down years, as he's registered just 54 points over his last 117 regular-season games (he produced 50 points in each of the two seasons prior). The 31-year-old has four more seasons left on his contract, which carries a $6-million cap hit.
Bonino is the most economical option, as he has just one year left on his deal with a $4.1-million cap hit. He put up 35 points in 67 games last season, which tied the second-best points-per-game mark of his career.
The top unrestricted free agent centers include veterans Mikko Koivu, Joe Thornton, Carl Soderberg, Erik Haula, and Cody Eakin. Former Predator Mikael Granlund is also a pending UFA, though he's spent the last few seasons playing the wing and has been far more productive there.
The Columbus Blue Jackets, Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, and Winnipeg Jets are among the many center-needy teams.