The Nashville Predators should consider moving on from veteran forward Erik Haula as they continue to get younger and reshape their roster.
When the Nashville Predators kept Erik Haula at the trade deadline, the goal was simple: keep a reliable veteran around for the stretch run. Haula did his job, putting up 14 goals and 38 points in 81 games while providing a steady presence down the lineup.
But with the 35-year-old center hitting the open market as an unrestricted free agent, new general manager Chris MacFarland needs to let him walk.
Moving on has nothing to do with Haula’s play. He can still give a contender solid middle-six minutes, but Nashville needs to prioritize its internal pipeline. Re-signing a veteran like Haula blocks the path for the organization's top young talent.
The Predators have a wave of forward prospects ready for consistent NHL minutes. Keeping Haula around eats up crucial ice time that needs to go to Fedor Svechkov, Matthew Wood, and Joakim Kemell. For these prospects to actually take the next step in their development, they need to play through mistakes at the NHL level rather than watching from the press box.
Letting Haula walk gives head coach Andrew Brunette a younger, faster group to work with. It clears roster space and forces the next generation to take ownership of depth roles, which is exactly what Nashville needs to get out of the middle of the standings.
