The Nashville Predators weren’t able to land Mark Stone or Artemi Panarin, but don’t accuse them of sitting idly by at the trade deadline.
After landing Mikael Granlund for Kevin Fiala, the Predators reeled in one of the biggest fish by acquiring Wayne Simmonds. The Athletic’s Craig Custance and others report these terms, which seem very reasonable for Nashville:
Predators receive: Wayne Simmonds.
Flyers get: Ryan Hartman, conditional 2020 fourth-round pick.
That 2020 fourth-rounder would turn into a third-rounder if the Predators win a playoff round.
[An in-depth look at that fascinating Fiala - Granlund deal.]
Simmonds slipping?
It’s been mentioned, and it’s quite accurate, that Simmonds isn’t quite the all-around threat he once was during his peak as a scoring power forward. In particular, he hasn’t been much of a play-driver for a while, and some of that high-level power play scoring has dried up, too.
Simmonds currently has 16 goals and 27 points in 62 games. Not awful, but not quite where he’s been before.
Yet, for this reasonable price? At worst, he gives the Predators a winger who can score a bit, and mix it up physically. At best, he’ll rekindle his scoring touch and boost Nashville’s mediocre power play, while being invigorated by playing for a contender.
After Saturday’s 5-4 comeback OT win against the Penguins, Simmonds’ Flyers teammates said goodbye with this touching gesture:
Emotional Flyers locker room after last nights improbable OT win
— Jeff Skversky (@JeffSkversky) February 24, 2019
Jake Voracek to Wayne Simmonds:
“Whatever happens we love you!”
Simmonds admits to Flyers teammates he hopes he has NOT played his last game with Flyers with trade deadline Monday@6abc pic.twitter.com/oDP4zFEel6
Overall, Simmonds ideally would give the Predators a boost on the power play, and provide that snarl. Also, Granlund + Simmonds are being brought in to help a second line that was dragging Nashville down. It will be interesting to see where Kyle Turris, Brian Boyle, and Nick Bonino land in the lineup after these changes.
Quick look at Hartman
Hartman, 24, is a pending RFA.
[Winners and losers of the 2019 NHL Trade Deadline]
The Blackhawks made him the 30th pick of the 2013 NHL Draft, and the Predators included their 2018 first-rounder in the package to land Hartman last deadline.
He’s only been averaging 13:26 TOI per night, so his 20 points in 64 games isn’t half-bad. Hartman brings some snarl to the table, which will endear him to Flyers fans.
Is he much of a difference-maker? Not really, and Flyers fans will wonder if there was any chance to get Eeli Tolvanen in this deal, instead. It’s tough not to be disappointed by Philly’s takeaway for such a beloved player, but how do you think? Is Hartman a decent enough takeaway?
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James O’Brien is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @cyclelikesedins.