Nashville Predators: David Poile shows wizardry at NHL Trade Deadline

General Manager of the Nashville Predators, David Poile, proved his wizardry on Monday with two great deals at the very end of the NHL Trade Deadline.

David Poile once again showed why he is one of the best GMs in the NHL, as he made two big deals today at the end of the NHL Trade Deadline.

There was speculation throughout the last few days with numerous players, including Mark Stone. Many thought the Predators were making a late push with the Ottawa Senators, looking to land Stone. That deal ended up falling through earlier in the day on Monday, as the Senators reached a deal with the Vegas Golden Knights.

With that deal falling through for the Predators, many wondered if the Predators would make a late splash, as they look to make a good push before the playoffs approach. As all Predators fans know, never doubt the magic of GMDP. Poile is well known for making splashes throughout the league with great deals. He’s shown that throughout his time in Nashville.

In an article that I posted last season, I highlighted the numerous successful trades that GMDP had made. Those trades included the trades for Filip Forsberg, Ryan Johansen, P.K. Subban, and Kyle Turris.

Today, Poile made two great trades near the end of the trade deadline, barely losing anything. The Predators first landed Mikael Granlund from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Kevin Fiala. This is a big trade for the Predators. Fiala had shown glimpses of great play throughout his short time in Nashville, but there were many times where he was very inconsistent. While Granlund is four years older than Fiala, he was shown he is a great player and has backed that up with stats.

Fiala spent five seasons in Nashville but starred in 50 or more games three times during those years. His highest point total came last year, where he put up 48 points, including 23 goals. Granlund spent seven years in Minnesota and has played in more than 60 games in six of those seven seasons. He also has posted more than 48 points three times in his career. Granlund was also second on his team in total points this season, boasting 49 points and 34 assists, while Fiala was sixth on the Predators with 32 points and 22 assists.

While Fiala is younger, I believe the Predators won this trade, as Poile was able to just switch players and not lose a draft pick.

The Predators and Poile weren’t done though. Nashville had been thrown out as a landing spot for Wayne Simmonds for a number of weeks. Poile ended up making a deal for Simmonds at the very end of the NHL Trade Deadline.

Pierre LeBrun, an insider for TSN and a columnist for The Athletic tweeted this tweet above just as the trade deadline was ending.

He also stated that this deal came together with three minutes remaining in the trade deadline, once again showing GMDP’s wizardry.

The Predators acquired Simmonds for Ryan Hartman and a 2020 fourth round pick. That fourth-round pick will be changed to a third-round pick if the Nashville Predators advance in the playoffs. The Predators acquired Hartman last year at the NHL Trade Deadline but included him in a deal just a year later.

Hartman was a good role player for the Predators, posting 20 points on the year, including 10 goals. Getting Simmonds though will help bring along more physicality and experience. Simmonds has spent 11 years in the league so far, including three seasons for the Los Angeles Kings and eight seasons for the Philadelphia Flyers. While his numbers have dropped a little this season, posting just 27 points through 62 games, he will still bring along a ton of experience. He has posted over 40 points six times in his career and was a part of the 2017 NHL All-Star Game.

For the Predators to acquire Simmonds for Hartman and a fourth-round pick is huge.

What these trades mean

These two trades make the Nashville Predators a better team. Fiala and Hartman are good players, but GMDP was able to add two great players on Monday. Not only was he able to acquire these two great players while just losing Fiala, Hartman, and a fourth-round pick, but he was also able to keep Eeli Tolvanen, Dante Fabbro, and his first, second, and possibly third round picks for the 2020 NHL Draft.

The Predators have struggled mightily on the powerplay all season long. Bringing along Granlund and Simmonds will hopefully help the Predators woes on the powerplay.

These two tweets help show the production of the two trades the Predators made on Monday. Bringing a guy like Granlund to the Predators powerplay will hopefully help accel their play on the man advantage, especially as the postseason approaches.

Landing guys like Granlund and Simmonds will hopefully help in the Predators push towards the playoffs. The Predators are currently sitting in the 2nd spot in the Central Division with 77 points with 18 games remaining.

The Predators are in action tonight against the Edmonton Oilers, but it will be unlikely to see these guys in Predators uniforms. They might see action on Tuesday though, as the Nashville Predators head to St. Louis to take on the red-hot Blues.