Preds General Manager Talks Trade Deadline Plans

Whether or not David Poile will be busy leading up to the Feb. 26 Trade Deadline isn't a question.
Rather, the issue to be pondered is if the Nashville general manager will actually find a deal that makes sense for his club, something that will be top of mind over the next 13 days.
The NHL's longest-tenured GM left the question up in the air on Tuesday evening as he addressed the media at Bridgestone Arena, looking forward to what his team may look like come playoff time. If there is a deal to be made, he'll make the call. But if the options don't present themselves, that's just fine, too.

"I'm open, I'm making lots of call, I've been talking to lots of different teams, but as we sit less than two weeks away from the trading deadline, I find that prices are very high," Poile said. "I don't find there are that many sellers today. Certainly, one of the big problems of the trade deadline is the parity that we have in the League… I really think right now it's hard to predict a combination of the parity. The prices are pretty high."
Poile has stated in the past the Predators made sure to hold on to their first-round pick in the 2018 NHL Draft for this very reason. Oftentimes, that selection is used as a bargaining chip when certain players come into discussion around the deadline. While he seems prepared to be willing to move it, the other pieces that may be asked for in a potential deal is what makes it interesting - and what may cause Poile to take a step back.

"You have to get your arms around what you're willing to pay," Poile said. "You have to be as organized as you possibly can… [You have to consider] would you be willing to give up this player and that player and all those scenarios before you jump into it."
The conversations Poile has over the coming days, according to him, are more likely to revolve around acquiring a player at the forward position rather than on the blue line, a position of considerable strength for the Predators.
But no matter what he does at the deadline, Poile already knows he's got a centerman on the way.
Former Preds captain Mike Fisher, who participated in his first practice with the team on Monday, after previously announcing his intention to come out of retirement and play for the team once more, intends to sign a contract by or on Feb. 26, the day NHL rosters expand to allow more than 23 players.
Poile says he expects Fisher to make his debut "closer to March 1," and feels no need to rush Fisher back, considering the current standing and depth of the team.
Top prospect Eeli Tolvanen, who is currently competing for Finland at the 2018 Winter Olympics - and has been setting numerous rookie records with Jokerit in the KHL this season - was also discussed, with Poile confirming conversations have been had with Tolvanen's agent, but nothing is set in stone as far as the 19-year-old potentially joining the Predators this season.
"We've talked to his agent and he's going to have a long year… Olympics and more regular-season games and playoffs with Jokerit, so we can't get ahead of ourselves," Poile said. "We have to see what happens with all the hockey he has left to play."

Poile's desire for his team to not only win what would be the first division title in franchise history - but also make another long postseason run - is undoubtedly strong, but he also reiterated he won't be trigger happy and make a deal just to do it.
"I'm really open to anything," Poile said. "I'm not going to say we wouldn't do anything, but on the other hand, not to cover up both sides here, but I think we have some pretty good depth with our team. I think our team is playing pretty well… but we will touch all of our bases."
So, the countdown to the deadline continues, with the GM working the phones and keeping his pulse on the League in an attempt to see his team skate in June once more, no matter what comes about.
"I think we're closer to doing nothing [at the Trade Deadline] than something," Poile said. "Maybe this is our team."