After an extremely busy offseason that saw the Predators add several key veteran contributors, expectations were quite high heading into the year. However, they’re off to a sluggish 6-11-3 start to the season and while they’d like to add to their roster, it appears that teams are calling about one of their veterans as well. Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reports that Nashville is receiving inquiries about the potential availability of blueliner Alexandre Carrier.
The 28-year-old was a speculative trade candidate last season when he was playing on a one-year, $2.5MM contract. However, Nashville had an exceptional second half including an 18-game point streak, resulting in them vaulting up the standings and going from being potential sellers to light buyers at the trade deadline. Carrier went on to finish the year with 20 points in 73 games and added three more in six playoff contests.
It looked like Carrier was heading toward testing the opening market but just before free agency opened up, the two sides agreed to a three-year, $11.25MM front-loaded contract. He’s making $4.6MM in salary this season relative to his $3.75MM cap charge.
As is the case with a lot of Nashville’s veterans, things haven’t gone quite as planned for Carrier this season. He has a goal and four assists in 20 games while logging over 20 minutes a night but his pairing with Jeremy Lauzon has struggled to keep the puck out of the defensive zone and with the Preds believed to be open to adding to their back end, it stands to reason that they’re hoping to upgrade on this particular pairing.
With a track record of being a reliable and steady fourth or fifth defender and the fact he’s a right-shot player, the Predators should have some interest if they decide to make Carrier available. Whether that’s part of a bigger move or a smaller side deal remains to be seen but GM Barry Trotz will have to decide if Carrier is still as important to their plans as it seemed he was just a few months ago.
As long as Brunette is the coach, personel moves will be of minor consequence.