NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – The Nashville Predators already sit atop the NHL standings, and now they have a made a big move well before the trade deadline trying to boost their roster for the playoffs.
The Predators announced a trade Sunday with Toronto that brings back defenseman Cody Franson and forward Mike Santorelli. In return, the struggling Maple Leafs receive Nashville’s first-round pick in June’s draft along with forwards Brendan Leipsic and Olli Jokinen, who has been a healthy scratch in recent games for the Predators.
General manager David Poile said in a statement that they wanted a veteran defenseman who could play in all situations and a forward they could put anywhere in the lineup.
“We were fortunate to do this in the same transaction with players who are in the prime of their careers more than two weeks before the trade deadline in order to give them more time to contribute and gel with their teammates,” Poile said.
The Predators missed the playoffs the last two seasons, which prompted Poile not to bring back coach Barry Trotz last spring. He hired Peter Laviolette with the mission of taking Nashville back to the postseason. Now Nashville has won five straight games and has 82 points, five ahead of Anaheim.