Goaltender Juuse Saros is one of Nashville's hottest commodities, but should the Predators consider trading the backbone of the team this offseason... or ever?

As the NHL season skates closer to the Stanley Cup Finals, postseason teams are taking a long look at their rosters that didn't get the job done and evaluating what big pieces they may need to move or bring in. Of course, that usually means a thorough evaluation of the goaltending. Although we've seen teams make it to the Conference Finals with less than Vezina worthy performances, there are still plenty of teams who believe that adding quality goaltending could make a different in a deep playoff run in the future. 

Enter Juuse Saros. 

There has been plenty of talk about the 28 year old Finnish goalie as a trade piece. That might seem odd since the 5'11" net minder's last postseason game was May 27, 2021 in a game six loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. In 2021-22, Saros missed the first round of the playoffs after sustaining an ankle injury at the end of the regular season, and after a sell off at the trade deadline this season, Saros and the Predators missed the postseason entirely. 

A quick glance at his stats and a few minutes of video quickly reveal why several teams looking for a boost in net would be interested in Saros. Even with a struggling team in front of him, Saros kept the Predators in big games this season despite facing the most shots in the regular season. Saros was first among goalies in Goals Saved Above Expected and Wins above Replacement and second behind likely Vezina winner Linus Ullmark in Goals Against Average Better Than Expected. If a GM has a team that is close to being a top contender but needs a X factor in net, Saros fits the bill. 

There is also his very friendly contract. Teams could get a franchise changing player for the bargain price of $5,000,000 through the 2024-2025 season. 

Saros is probably Nashville's hottest commodity. If the Predators wanted to look outside the organizational depth for a player to build around, Saros as part of a trade could get the attention of a team with, say, a top line center. Many in the Nashville fan base point to young Yaroslav Askarov as the next heir apparent who could step up a little early to an NHL role in Saros' absence. 

If you can get a big piece by trading Saros, why wouldn't Barry Trotz make that move this offseason? Here are three reasons why.

1. Saros keeps Nashville relevant even during a rebuild. While the Predators players were clear in their postseason locker room clean out that they expect to be back competing for a playoff spot next season, it will take a goalie like Saros to steal some games to keep the Predators relevant as they reshape their roster. 

2. Nashville doesn't know yet what they have. One of the best storylines of last season was the emergence of several skilled players like Tommy Novak, Luke Evangelista, and Juuso Parssinen. But has future GM Barry Trotz seen enough to really evaluate what these young players will consistently add or how veterans like Filip Forsberg, Matt Duchene, Ryan Johansen, and Roman Josi will bounce back from injuries? You don't want to give away the ace up your sleeve until you see the cards you've been dealt. 

3. Askarov doesn't need rushed. The Predators signed Kevin Lankinen for the 2023-2024 season, but Yaroslav Askarov isn't ready yet to share starts next season in the NHL. In 2021-22, the 20 year old played less than twenty games all season long between the KHL and VHL. While he has taken over the starting job in Milwaukee this season, he still deserves time to grow and refine his game before being thrown into a significant NHL role. 

That doesn't mean that a Saros trade isn't in the cards in the future. The Predators' future needs to become clearer this season before making a big move with Saros. If the Preds are pleasantly surprised again with the roster's young talent and Askarov's trajectory continues upward, perhaps next season's trade deadline or the 2024-2025 offseason would be a better time to move the goaltender for a big return.

Related Reading: 

Juuse Saros Overlooked in Vezina Voting

Yaroslav Askarov Has Us Talking Again

Could the Predators Make a Deal with Toronto for William Nylander?