Unrestricted free agents:Cody Bass, RW; Paul Gaustad, C; Carter Hutton, G
Restricted free agents:Gabriel Bourque, LW; Filip Forsberg, LW; Calle Jarnkrok, C; Miikka Salomaki, RW; Anthony Bitetto, D; Petter Granberg, D
Projected 2016 draft picks:6 (1 first)
Projected 2017 draft picks:7 (1 first)
Needs:Top-six forward
Surpluses:Young depth forwards
Players Potentially in Play:Kevin Fiala, Hutton, Gaustad
Likely status:Buyer
Skinny:General manager David Poile made a blockbuster trade in January, sending defenseman Seth Jones to the Columbus Blue Jackets for center Ryan Johansen. The Predators could be in the market for another top-six forward to help boost an offense that hasn't been consistent. Poile said at the beginning of the season that he believes the Predators have what it takes to compete for the Stanley Cup, but they find themselves in a battle for a wild card in the Western Conference. They still boast a good defense corps even with the loss of Jones, and it's doubtful any defenseman on the roster will be in play before the deadline. The Predators have good young forward depth at Milwaukee of the American Hockey League, topped by Colton Sissons, Vladislav Kamenev and Fiala. The wild card is forward Jimmy Vesey, a third-round pick (No. 66) in the 2012 NHL Draft who plays at Harvard and is one of the top scorers in the NCAA. The Predators would like to add him to their lineup, but his college season could go until April. Poile knows the window with franchise goaltender Pekka Rinne and defenseman Shea Weber is closing, so he could be busy at the deadline looking to bolster the offense for a deep playoff run now. In order to do that, Poile may be forced to trade a high-end prospect like Fiala or Kamenev.
