Preds trade defenseman Spencer Stastney for third-round pick | Sports

In the midst of their best stretch of hockey this season, the Predators have chosen to shake up the lineup.

Nashville on Friday traded left-handed defenseman Spencer Stastney to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft.

The move gives the Preds 11 picks in the 2027 draft — one in the first round, one in the second, four in the third, two in the fourth, one in the fifth, one in the sixth and one in the seventh.

The 25-year-old Stastney, a fifth-round selection in the 2018 draft, was playing well for Nashville this season. He ranked third among Predators defensemen with nine points (one goal, eight assists), averaging 14:51 ice time — usually as part of a third pairing — in 30 games.

Stastney had a 56.6 percent Corsi rating, tops among Preds blueliners and third overall on the team.

But the Predators likely chose to move Stastney for a couple of reasons that go hand-in-hand: He’ll need a new contract after this season, and the organization has some up-and-coming defensemen that could take his place.

As the roster stands now, the Preds still have four left-handed defensemen on the NHL roster — Roman Josi, Brady Skjei, Nicholas Hague and Adam Wilsby.

On the way at some point — likely sooner rather than later — is left-handed prospect Tanner Molendyk, a 2023 first-round pick who has totaled eight points (one goal, seven assists) in 20 games for the Milwaukee Admirals, Nashville’s American Hockey League affiliate.

Molendyk has Stastney’s speed and is a more talented all-round player.

Also at Milwaukee, prospect defenseman Ryan Ufko, a right-handed shot, is off to a terrific start. Ufko, a fourth-round pick in 2021, leads Milwaukee with 22 points (six goals, 11 assists) in 21 games, a total that ranks second among all AHL blueliners.

The Predators (12-14-4) have won six of their last eight games following the team’s 7-2 thumping of St. Louis on Thursday. Steven Stamkos tied a franchise record with four goals in that contest.

Nashville returns to action Saturday at 8 p.m. when the Preds travel to Colorado.