Trotz working to add center: 'No one's trading anybody right now'
Nashville Predators general manager Barry Trotz is interested in acquiring a center to help offset a disastrous start for his club, but the trade market is at a standstill this early in the season.
"I've been working the phones," Trotz recently told 102.5 The Game. "No one's trading anybody right now. Maybe I would try to find another centerman, but no one's giving their centerman away ... the only thing we can do is internally."
The Predators spent lavishly over the offseason on wingers Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault, as well as defenseman Brady Skjei, but the club has failed to meet expectations with a 1-5-0 start to the season.
Nashville's current center depth chart includes Ryan O'Reilly, Colton Sissons, Tommy Novak, and Michael McCarron.
The Predators stumbled out of the gates last season as well but put together an 18-game point streak to surge into a playoff spot. Nashville was ultimately eliminated in the first round by the Vancouver Canucks.
Although Trotz has been seeking external reinforcements, he's confident the group he assembled can dig themselves out of their hole.
"There's more than enough talent to get ourselves back in the game here," Trotz said.
Nashville returns to action Friday against the Chicago Blackhawks.