Predators Make Another Deal With The Devil

The Predators shipped out their #1 defenseman two weeks prior to the deadline to the New Jersey Devils. Many hockey insiders believed Streit to be on the move this coming deadline, but none expected a move this soon. However, Wolf found a deal he liked and pulled the trigger. 

"Considering how our season has gone, yes, we were entertaining offers on Streit. This one made the most sense to us moving forward." 

The deal sees the Predators trade Mark Streit, Michael Chaput, and prospect Remi Elie to the Devils in exchange for Jordie Benn, Graham Black, and goaltending prospect Mackenzie Blackwood.

"With our team falling out of the playoff picture, I felt we needed to make a move to strengthen the potential of our future. Mark Streit has been an absolute workhorse for our struggling team this year, notching 40 points in 55 games. His value was at an all time high and we felt we needed to take advantage of it sooner rather than later. We're going to miss him for sure. It was tough moving him."

The deal brings in a stud goaltending prospect in Mackenzie Blackwood, who was selected 66th overall by the Devils in last summers superdraft. An area where the Predators lacked. The Predators currently had Reimer, Kuemper, and Tirronen as the only goalies in the organization under contract heading into next season, with no goaltending prospects in the pipeline. It was a vital move on Wolfs part to begin to replenish the position. "We are pretty weak there" Wolf admitted, "Reimer has had a strong year, and I'm not saying I don't have faith in our current goaltending, but when you opened our cupboards and saw nothing was stocked, it does spark concern. Before the season began we had dealt Juuse Saros to Minnesota for Brock Boeser. Ever since that trade, it's been a priority of mine to replenish that position."

In bringing in Blackwood, Wolf told media he won't have to focus as solely on drafting a goaltender in the early rounds of the 2016 draft. "At first, I was strongly considering using a 2nd round pick on a goaltender, but perhaps now I can move my attention to either forward or defense, so this trade definitely gives us a little more flexibility at the draft table this summer."

Without a 1st round pick this year, Wolf will have to get creative. But with a very strong prospect pool already in place, and winning the draft lottery last year, we're sure he doesn't mind sitting the first round out this year.