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Nashville Predators: Grading Their Deadline Trades

By Tyler Samson

NASHVILLE, TN - FEBRUARY 25: Brian Boyle #11 celebrates his game winning shootout goal with Cody McLeod #55 of the Nashville Predators against the Edmonton Oilers at Bridgestone Arena on February 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - FEBRUARY 25: Brian Boyle #11 celebrates his game winning shootout goal with Cody McLeod #55 of the Nashville Predators against the Edmonton Oilers at Bridgestone Arena on February 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images
Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images /

Brian Boyle Trade

Grade: A-

The Nashville Predators made an aggressive move by trading a 2019 2nd Round Draft Pick to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Brian Boyle. Boyle is an established veteran forward that has a tremendous amount of success in the playoffs as well as the power play.

At 6’6” and 245 pounds, the 34-year-old brings a strong level of physicality and experience the Predators need. As a center, Boyle immediately fills and betters the 4th line center role that was held by Frederick Gaudreau. With 752 NHL games played, he has 121 goals, 92 assists and 564 penalty minutes. In the 2018-19 season, Boyle has 59 games played with 15 goals and 6 assists.

With a physical Western Conference, Boyle will add the size needed to intimidate opposing teams. The Bill Masterson Memorial Trophy winner is a tremendous player who could re-sign with the Predators at the end of the season when he becomes an unrestricted free agent. Compared to Simmonds who seems more as a rental for the playoffs, Boyle will be 35 and will likely want to settle down in Nashville for the time being and establish his roots.

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Ever since getting traded to Nashville, Boyle has been welcomed with open arms. His sister, Gabby Patrice, is a musician that lives in Nashville and had the opportunity to play a set during the first intermission of the Predators February 23rd game against the Colorado Avalanche. During this time as well, Boyle has expressed his enjoyment with the city of Nashville and playing in Bridgestone Arena.

Overall, this was a good trade for the Predators who needed center depth in a win now situation. The main obstacle that Boyle will have to overcome is staying healthy as he is older and has suffered some lower body injuries since becoming a Predator.

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