Quote:
Originally Posted by Fan in Exile
James Neal would be a good fit. Seeing as the Preds are looking to expose him anyway, there's a good chance he could be obtained for a pick and/or a prospect; possible even a hockey trade for someone like Brouwer or Bouma plus.
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So assuming that Neal will be left exposed, which I have my doubts, than Nashville is probably protecting:
Subban
Josi
Ekholm
Ellis
Forsberg
Johanson
Arvidsson
Smith/Jarnkrok
Rinne
That leaves, most notably, Neal, Wilson and Jarnkrok/Smith. I don't see how Vegas could pass up on Neal in that scenario even with just 1 year left on his contract.
But if they trade Neal for a "pick and/or a prospect" the Knights are likely taking one of Wilson, Smith or Jarnkrok.
Wilson didn't have the strongest of playoffs, but he's shown to be a 20-20 guy when not injured. Smith had a poor season statistically but he still put up three 20+ goals the three year prior. Jarnkrok is making 2M a year for awhile while being a 15-15 player.
The Predators aren't going to just give Neal away for a pick and/or a prospect because he's left exposed. Doing so would mean losing Neal and one of Smith/Wilson/Jarnkrok. The team would probably just be better off letting Vegas take Neal, unless the pick is high enough or the prospect good enough.