Nashville Predators Defensemen Potentially on Trade Block as GM Chris MacFarland Makes Moves

In a flurry of activity since his appointment, Nashville Predators general manager Chris MacFarland has been hard at work reshaping the team’s roster. Since June 2, he has signed six players, traded for five, and drafted eight, while also moving on from three players, including Fedor Svechkov and Zach L’Heureux. Notably, Erik Haula has joined the Los Angeles Kings as a free agent, and Tyson Jost and Kevin Gravel have not received contract extensions as unrestricted free agents.

As MacFarland continues to make adjustments, he has indicated a keen interest in enhancing the defensive lineup. “The back end is something that we want to find a little bit more puck skill and a little more transition as part of our game,” he stated. “It’s not easy to do, right? As you can see by free agency, there weren’t a lot of those defensemen available. There’s a reason for that. Those are the hard-to-get assets.”

Last season, the Predators’ defense faced significant challenges, contradicting Barry Trotz’s earlier claims that the unit had been “fixed” during the 2025 free agency with the additions of Nic Hague and Nick Perbix. With the blue line a focal point for improvement, several players may find themselves on the trading block.

One player to watch is Barron, who was extended a qualifying offer but had not signed it as of July 4. If he does not sign by the July 5 deadline, he will enter arbitration. His previous two-year contract was worth $2.3 million, with a $1.150 million annual hit, while his qualifying offer stands at approximately $1.2 million annually. Despite being one of the more active defensemen on the team, Barron’s production has not met expectations, with just nine points in 52 games last season.

Trotz had high hopes for Hague upon his arrival, projecting him as a top pairing defenseman alongside Roman Josi. However, injuries plagued Hague, limiting his effectiveness. With 15 points and a -10 plus/minus rating in 62 games, he did not elevate the defensive unit as anticipated. Still, at 6-foot-6 and in the second year of a four-year, $22 million contract, he remains a player of interest for other teams, especially given his no-trade clause doesn’t activate until the 2027-28 season.

Perbix, another acquisition from the 2025 offseason, shows promise with his skating ability. In 79 games, he tallied 20 points but struggled defensively, finishing with a -14 rating. His speed could be better utilized in a bottom-pairing role, and with his contract set to expire after this season, the Predators have flexibility regarding his future.

MacFarland may prefer to retain Wilsby, a 25-year-old who just completed his first full NHL season with 16 points in 58 games. His speed and offensive mindset make him attractive to other teams, but Nashville is likely to give him another year to develop before considering a trade.

Conversely, moving Skjei could prove difficult due to his no-trade clause and a hefty contract that still has five years remaining at $7 million annually. Although he contributed 26 points in 82 games last season, his contract may deter potential suitors, especially considering he will be 37 by the end of his deal.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.