Would the Nashville Predators Really Trade Juuse Saros?
As NHL teams scour the landscape for a franchise changing goaltender, Juuse Saros again draws attention.
Yesterday a single tweet stirred up a hornet's nest of speculation when it comes to the future of Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros.
It is no mystery why a franchise hoping to land a season changing goaltender would look longingly at 28 year old Juuse Saros. The Finnish net minder did everything short of dragging what remained of the 2022-2023 Predators into the playoffs with his play. Saros finished this season as a top ten goaltender in save percentage, top five in goals saved above average, and the best when it came to goalie point shares.
With teammates Roman Josi, Filip Forsberg, Matt Duchene, and Ryan Johansen going down with injury, Saros stepped up not just in net but off ice for the team as well. Usually a quieter presence, Saros helped guide a young roster through the final stretch of games. General Manager David Poile mentioned Saros along with Colton Sissons and Tyson Barrie as players who led the team in the absence of other, more vocal veterans who were out of the lineup with injuries.
Then there is his very franchise friendly contract. Currently Saros has two more years on a $5 million per year contract. The deal is a bargain considering the reliability and sustainability the Preds have gotten in net. Saros has only suffered one major injury since taking over the starting job. Last season he was injured in late April 2022 and missed the remaining regular season games and first round Colorado Avalanche playoff series against the eventual Stanley Cup champs. That particular injury is not one that causes increased risk for long term issues, and this season Saros again tied Connor Hellebuyck for most games played by a goaltender.
There's no question that all 5'11" of the Predators star goaltender looks very attractive to many teams around the league needing critical quality net presence. Saros is likely the most valuable trade piece the Predators have on their roster right now.
If - if - this report is accurate, adding Juuse Saros to the L.A. Kings roster could cause a major shift in the Western Conference. Saros would be reunited with former Predators Kevin Fiala and Viktor Arvidsson and an offense that finished tenth in the regular season for total goals scored with Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe. After trading for Joonas Korpisalo today, could the Kings really be circling back to eye Juuse Saros?
David Poile and Barry Trotz were clear at the end of the season press conference the value that Saros brings to this team in transition.
"Our team has experience, it has leadership - Roman, Sissons, McDonagh, Duchene, Forsberg, Johansen. We have elite goaltending, and now more than ever we have youngsters that are deserving of the opportunity to play for our hockey club," David Poile said.
"There is a path forward with a brighter future for the Nashville Predators."
Incoming GM Barry Trotz agreed.
"We have elite goaltending, so I'm excited for the future."
Of course, Predators fans have just watched young goalie Yaroslav Askarov carry the Milwaukee Admirals to a deep run in the AHL playoffs, so if the Preds did decide to trade Saros there is a potential star in the making with the 20 year old 2020 first round draft pick. He isn't ready for a full time role in the NHL, but might Trotz decide that backup Kevin Lankinen could carry the load next season if Saros were traded? The flip side of the decision to part with Saros and rely on the development of Askarov may mean extending the length of this Predators reset.
It would require a very appealing draft pick and prospect heavy trade package. The return for Saros could make a move tempting, but it is hard to know if the new GM would be willing to push back the Nashville turnaround and bank on Askarov. Saros is a key piece of the Predators' future...unless a team like L.A. can put together a package that makes a "reset" worth the wait.
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