Nash Daily: Trotz Searching For Offense, Mock Draft Season

Incoming general manager Barry Trotz is wasting no time making waves and putting his stamp on the Nashville Predators roster.

The first-year GM made his first big roster move of the offseason, shipping center Ryan Johansen to the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday in exchange for forward Alex Galchenyuk.

Nashville will retain 50 percent of Johansen’s salary for the duration of his contract, but the move frees up $4 million in cap space each of the next two years and opens the door for Trotz to potentially take a swing at landing a premium top-six scorer.

Speaking of bolstering the offense, sources have indicated to Nashville Hockey Now that the Predators have inquired about trading up into the top 10 of Wednesday’s draft. Trotz confirmed on Friday that he unsuccessfully tried to acquire a top-four pick, and sources say he’s aggressively pursuing picks No. 6-8.

Nashville Hockey Now’s Nick Kieser reported on Friday at there has been no movement on a new contract between the Predators and restricted free agent Alex Carrier, who could become possible trade bait if Trotz is looking for a sweetener to entice a team to move back. Sources say Trotz really likes RFA Jake Livingstone, and re-signing the 24-year-old defenseman could push Carrier out the door.

I’ve also heard that Barry Trotz is high on Jake Livingstone. He could make Alex Carrier expendable, as @KieserNick suggested yesterday

— Michael Gallagher (@MGsports_) June 24, 2023

The National Hockey Now writers released their 2023 NHL mock draft on Sunday with expert picks for all 32 selections in the first round. See who Michael Gallagher projected the Predators would take with the No. 15 and 24 overall picks.

Around the NHL and National Hockey Now

Colorado Hockey Now: Evan Rawal offers an in-depth analysis on how the Johansen trade affects the Avalanche

Philly Hockey Now: The Flyers were mentioned to be cooking up a potentially big trade with the St. Louis Blues over the weekend. Here’s the details on what’s holding the deal up

San Jose Hockey Now: Star defenseman Erik Karlsson is expected to be traded sometime this offseason and he’s keeping an open mind about where he could potentially be playing next season

Vegas Hockey Now: The Golden Knights and goaltender Adin Hill are closing in on a contract extension

LA Hockey Now: It appears Pierre Luc-Dubois is on the verge of being traded, and no, it’s not to the Predators. Here’s the latest on the rumored deal between the Jets and Kings.

Follow Michael Gallagher on Twitter @MGsports_

(Photo of Barry Trotz via John Russell/Nashville Predators)