NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – The Nashville Predators traded four players and recalled three others from the Milwaukee Admirals over 48 hours, reshaping their roster as the trade deadline approaches.
Bunting, who played 61 games for Nashville this season and scored 13 goals, was traded to the Dallas Stars. He is set to become a free agent after this season. Nashville is expected to receive a third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft in exchange.
Nashville traded forwards Michael McCarron and Cole Smith and defenseman Nick Blankenburg, then moved left wing Michael Bunting to the Dallas Stars. To fill the roster holes, the Predators recalled forwards Fedor Svechkov and Reid Schaefer and defenseman Ryan Ufko from Milwaukee.
All three recalled players have appeared in NHL games this season. Svechkov leads the group with 49 games played at the NHL level.
Each player cited confidence as a factor in their return to the big club.
“I think I’ve really been trending in the right direction,” Schaefer said. “Playing really confident, playing to my identity and I’m having some success down there so I just want to continue it up here and keep building that confidence.”
Ufko said his second pro season has been a step forward from his rookie year.
“This season has gone really well for me so far,” Ufko said. “Just playing with a lot of confidence. Last year was my rookie year so it was all new to me. I feel like this year I came in a lot more comfortable.”
Svechkov said he plans to carry his AHL form back to Nashville.
“Get back my confident game and I’ll bring it there too,” Svechkov said. “I think I played well down there, I’m going to play well up here.”
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