Jan 31, 2026; Elmont, New York, USA; Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) defends the net in the second period against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images | Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
The Veterans that will likely remain with the rebuilding Nashville Predators
In the recent press conference with GM Barry Trotz discussing the plan now that he is eventually stepping down, Owner Bill Haslam expressed that he doesn’t want to rip it all apart. They still want to be competitive, but with where the Predators are right now, they don’t have much flexibility to avoid this.
They can’t just hold onto all of these veterans and just hope that somehow they make the playoffs and pull off some magical run like they did in 2017. If they do and they get waxxed in the fist round again, or worse yet, they fall short of even making the playoffs then they will be in serious trouble in the offseason.
This is why Trotz realizes deep down he has to shop pretty much everyone, even the veterans who are playing some great hockey right now to keep this team alive. However, there are some veterans that are almost 100 percent certain are sticking around and will be important to this franchise after the dust settles on the trade deadline and into 2026 offseason.
Juuse Saros, who is having another down year and is really start to raise the level of concern among the fanbase, is obviously vital to the Predators avoiding on really long stretch of really dark years. If you don’t have a trustworthy No.1 goalie, it usually spells doom.
Fortunately for the Predators, this franchise has already been really solid at the goalie position with having Pekka Rinne all those years and then Saros coming in early in his career and showcasing himeself as one of the rising goalies of the NHL. It doesn’t feel that way anymore.
If Trotz were to pull off a trade involving Saros right now, it would really signal a massive change in the direction of this franchise. I’m not 100 percent rulling it out, but even if you wanted to trade Saros, his lengthy contract while being on a downward trend won’t make it nearly as easy to unload him as it once was.
Roman Josi is turning back the clock this season in heroic fashion and is once again putting up top-10 offensive numbers among NHL defensemen. He will retire with the Predators and will continue to be so vital to this franchise whether they’re rebuilding or not.
Filip Forsberg isn’t completely off the table to one day be traded, but I don’t see it happening right now with his trade protection and still being in the prime of his career. The Predators need a solid core of veterans to remain to lead the youth into a new era in Smashville.
Finally, I think Steven Stamkos sticks arond into 2026-27, but I could be wrong if some massive overpay comes along that Trotz just can’t refuse. All it takes is one GM desperate for vintage Stamkos to bolster his roster for the playoffs, and if that happens then you take the deal. You’ll have to get a ready-to-go prospect or young NHL talent ready to step in immediately. Preferrably a center in return. Same return is necessary for Ryan O’Reilly.
To finish this off, here is my list of players that are more than likely going to be traded in the next month: Michael Bunting, Michael McCarron, Nick Blankenburg, Jonathan Marchessault. Here’s my list of players who may not be traded this season, but their time won’t extend in Nashvlle past next season: Ryan O’Reilly, Erik Haula, Justin Barron, Nick Perbix, Tyson Jost