Nashville Predators Reportedly Listening to Offers for Juuse Saros
After a report that the Nashville Predators are at least listening to offers on their starting netminder, how likely is Juuse Saros really going to get traded this season?
With 51 points in 47 games, the Nashville Predators are jockeying to hold one of the final wild-card berths in the Western Conference. However, there's talk they could entertain trade offers for goaltender Juuse Saros.
Last Thursday, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported there's a possibility they could trade Saros. While their priority was to sign the 28-year-old Finn to a contract extension, they were receiving lots of interest from teams desperate to upgrade their goaltending.
LeBrun claimed that Predators management felt they had to at least listen to offers for Saros. However, it would take what he called a “serious, serious offer” that would have to be more than futures to tempt them.
This isn't the first time Saros has surfaced in this season's rumor mill. He was mentioned as a possible trade option for the Edmonton Oilers last fall when they were wallowing near the bottom of the standings. That chatter died away during the Oilers surge up the standings since early December.
Saros has a year remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $5 million and is eligible for UFA in July 2025. He also lacks no-trade protection.
The Tennessean's Paul Skrbina is skeptical that the Predators would move their starting goaltender while still in the thick of the playoff race. He pointed out that Saros had been the subject of trade speculation stretching back to last season, but nothing came of it.
Skrbina believes the best time to get a big return for Saros would've been at last year's trade deadline or the off-season. He felt the netminder's trade value was higher at that time, plus there would've been two years remaining on his deal. Skrbina also pointed out that Saros' struggles earlier this season could also affect his trade value.
Saros has had some consistency issues this season, but the Predators' chances of clinching a playoff berth are better with him between the pipes. Unless a rival club pitches a mind-blowing trade offer, he's not going anywhere.
