2 early Predators trade targets after missing 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs

For a second consecutive year, the Nashville Predators came up short in their pursuit of a Stanley Cup Playoff berth, finishing the campaign with a 38-34-10 record. Although Nashville remained in the postseason conversation for stretches of the season, an underwhelming opening stretch proved too much to overcome in the long run.The Predators stumbled out of the gate with a 4-6-2 mark in October before following it up with a disappointing 4-7-2 performance in November, leaving them chasing ground in the standings early. Still, one encouraging takeaway heading into the offseason is the resilience they showed afterward, responding with stronger play that kept them within reach of a playoff spot deep into the season before they were ultimately eliminated.Still, it won't help to ease much of the sting that the grand plan of now-former GM Barry Trotz with the acquisitions of Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Brady Skjei in the 2024 offseason, combined with the lengthy extension for goaltender Juuse Saros, has yet to yield a playoff spot.Nashville's offense stalled out once again, scoring just 2.95 goals per game, which was ranked 20th overall in the NHL. And while their power-play was one of the positives of the season, finishing ranked 11th overall, the Predators are simply going to need to score more if they have any hopes of returning to the postseason.Who are some players that whoever the new Predators GM ultimately is could consider trying to acquire this offseason?Would Elias Pettersson want to play with countryman Filip Forsberg?© Sergei Belski-Imagn ImagesOne player who has consistently found himself in the middle of trade speculation, particularly over the last season, is Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson. The Canucks have struggled over the past two years, especially during the recently completed campaign in which they finished as the worst team in the Western Conference. Vancouver also made several major roster changes in recent months, highlighted by the blockbuster trade that sent captain Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild, along with deals involving Conor Garland and Kiefer Sherwood.Following a reported rift with Pettersson, former Canucks forward J.T. Miller was traded to the New York Rangers during the 2024-25 season, further fueling speculation about the organization’s long-term direction and future plans.For now, Pettersson remains with Vancouver largely because of his massive contract, which carries an annual cap hit of $11.6 million through 2032. Still, the Swedish-born forward appears to be among several NHL players who could benefit from a fresh start, as things simply have not clicked for him recently in the Pacific Northwest. Injuries, inconsistency, and mounting pressure have only added to the frustration surrounding his situation.That is where the Nashville Predators could enter the picture, potentially offering a player like Jonathan Marchessault in exchange for Pettersson. Much like Pettersson, Marchessault could use a change of scenery himself and has surfaced in multiple trade rumors in recent months. If the Canucks are serious about beginning a full rebuild, committing to Marchessault for three more seasons may be easier to stomach than carrying Pettersson’s deal for nearly twice as long.Additionally, such a move would allow Pettersson to play alongside fellow Swede Filip Forsberg while also allowing him to reset in a new environment. A fresh opportunity with Nashville could help him rediscover the confidence, offensive creativity, and swagger that made him one of the NHL’s most dangerous forwards just a few seasons ago.He's only three seasons removed from scoring 39 goals with 63 assists for 102 points, followed by a campaign in which he scored 34 goals with 55 assists for 89 points.Brock Boeser could thrive in a new environmentSpeaking of current Vancouver Canucks players who could use a change of scenery, Brock Boeser fits that bill, and like Pettersson, he's only a few years removed from being one of the more productive players in the NHL.All signs pointed toward Boeser departing the Canucks in free agency last offseason, but he turned heads by agreeing to a seven-year, $50.75 million extension to remain in Vancouver. However, Boeser's 2025-26 season, like most of the rest of his teammates', was something he'll want to put out of his mind.While his numbers weren't terrible by any means, with 22 goals scored and 26 assists, those aren't the kind of numbers expected, matched against what he's being paid to do.He's been linked to clubs out east like the New York Rangers and the Boston Bruins, but the Predators, who are already familiar with Boeser, considering what he did to them in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs with the Canucks, could place a call to the Canucks to gauge their interest level in a deal.It will be an interesting and somewhat daunting task for the figure who ultimately succeeds Trotz as the Predators' general manager, but an acquisition of either Pettersson or Boeser from the floundering Canucks, while also perhaps including Marchessault in a hypothetical deal, would be nothing short of a bold move for their tenure.For a second consecutive year, the Nashville Predators came up short in their pursuit of a Stanley Cup Playoff berth, finishing the campaign with a 38-34-10 record. Although Nashville remained in the postseason conversation for stretches of the season, an underwhelming opening stretch proved too much to overcome in the long run.