The Nashville Predators have made up some ground in the Western Conference playoff race, but let’s be real - they’re still on the outside looking in. Four points out of the final wild card spot might not sound like a mountain, but with the clock ticking toward the Olympic roster freeze, it’s a steep climb for a team that hasn’t shown the offensive firepower to sustain a serious run. That’s why it’s time for Nashville to start thinking like sellers - and the first name on the trade block should be Michael Bunting.
Bunting’s a player who’s already drawn interest. In fact, before the New York Islanders landed Ondrej Palat from the Devils in late January, they reportedly kicked the tires on Bunting as a depth addition.
That tells us two things: teams are calling, and the Predators are listening. The opportunity is there - now it’s just a matter of pulling the trigger.
Let’s not sugarcoat it - Nashville has a veteran core with big contracts and not enough results to show for it. Barry Trotz, in his first full season as GM, inherited a roster with some name-brand talent, but the mix hasn’t clicked the way the organization hoped.
The recent uptick in the standings is encouraging, sure, but it shouldn’t distract from the bigger picture. The Predators are still chasing, and the odds aren’t in their favor.
Selling off a pending free agent like Bunting is a logical, low-risk first move - and one that could set the tone for a more significant retool.
Bunting’s situation makes him an ideal trade chip. He’s on an expiring contract, carries no trade protection, and has been productive - 29 points through 54 games this season.
That’s solid middle-six production, and for a playoff team looking for scoring depth, he’s a plug-and-play option. The fact that he’s already been traded twice in the past two seasons - first in the Jake Guentzel deal from Carolina to Pittsburgh, then from the Penguins to Nashville - shows that teams see value in what he brings.
There’s no shortage of potential suitors. The Anaheim Ducks, for example, are a team with cap space, offensive talent, and a need for reinforcements.
With Frank Vatrano currently on injured reserve, Anaheim could use a player like Bunting to help keep their playoff push alive. They’ve got all seven of their 2026 draft picks, which gives them flexibility to make a move without mortgaging the future.
A mid-round pick for a rental winger like Bunting? That’s a deal that makes sense for both sides.
Another intriguing fit? The Minnesota Wild.
They’ve got room under the cap, and with Kirill Kaprizov’s massive extension set to kick in next season, this is the time to go for it. Adding Bunting would give them some much-needed scoring depth heading into the postseason.
And if they can convince him to stick around on a team-friendly deal, even better. The only wrinkle?
Wild GM Bill Guerin is also managing Team USA for the Olympics, so his plate is full right now. But if the Wild want to make a push, this is exactly the kind of move that could boost their bottom six without breaking the bank.
As for the bigger names in Nashville - like Jonathan Marchessault and Steven Stamkos - those deals are going to take more time. Both players arrived ahead of the 2024-25 season with high hopes, but the team success hasn’t followed.
Moving either one would require navigating cap logistics and finding the right fit, which likely pushes those conversations closer to the actual trade deadline. But that’s all the more reason to act now on the easier moves - and Bunting is the easiest of them all.
The Predators already have a solid stash of draft picks from previous trades, and while flipping Bunting for a mid-rounder won’t change their fortunes overnight, it’s the kind of savvy asset management that builds long-term success. And if Trotz can package those picks for more impactful pieces down the line - whether at the draft or in future deals - it’s a step in the right direction.
Bottom line: Nashville needs to start thinking like a team planning for tomorrow, not clinging to the slim hope of today. The Olympic roster freeze is coming fast, and Michael Bunting is a move they can - and should - make before the window closes.