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NHL Trade Rumors: 5 teams who need to trade for Mitch Marner

By Alex Hoegler

MONTREAL, QC - FEBRUARY 09: Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Mitchell Marner (16) gains control of the puck at the blue line during the Toronto Maple Leafs versus the Montreal Canadiens game on February 09, 2019, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - FEBRUARY 09: Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Mitchell Marner (16) gains control of the puck at the blue line during the Toronto Maple Leafs versus the Montreal Canadiens game on February 09, 2019, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images /

2. Nashville Predators

After another frustrating and early playoff exit, Nashville Predators general manager David Poile will most certainly make a bold and aggressive move or two this offseason. His number one task is to bring in a first or second line center, and Marner would fill that void perfectly.

Nashville ranked just 19th in goals scored during the regulars season (240). Kyle Turris, whom the Predators acquired from the Ottawa Senators in 2017, hasn’t been able to fill the No. 2 center role. He had a mere seven goals and 23 points in 55 games for the Predators and didn’t do much during the postseason (one goal and one assist).

Last month, Darren Dreger appeared on TSN 690 and said the Predators “have a fair bit of interest” in pending UFA Matt Duchene, who scored 31 goals and 70 points this season. Without a doubt, Duchene would be able to fill Nashville’s No. 2 center void, but Poile should go big and target Marner in a trade as well.

light. Related Story. 3 players Nashville Predators should trade

Duchene is 28 years of age and only has so many prime years left. Marner is the more valuable player who would help the Predators more than Duchene could. And of course, the Predators have the pieces Toronto desperately needs.

The Maple Leafs might prefer P.K. Subban in a potential Marner trade with the Predators, but Dubas simply won’t be able to afford a $9 million cap hit for three more years. And so, he settles on a capable top-pairing blueliner in Mattias Ekholm, who carries an absolute bargain $3.75 million cap hit for three more years.

Toronto also gets a five-time 20-goal scorer in Craig Smith, who only has one year left on his contract. Smith is perfectly capable of playing anywhere in the top nine for Toronto, and if he plays well, he can earn an extension.

That’s two nice return pieces for Dubas, while the Predators land a potential franchise-changing forward. Even if it means sacrificing their third-best defenseman, it’s absolutely worth it.

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