Will Nashville Predators trade Tommy Novak? Here are the most likely destinations
With the NHL's trade deadline a little more than a week away, the Nashville Predators are likely to be an active participant. One of the names at the forefront of the trade rumors is 26-year-old center Tommy Novak.
Novak might not be the most high profile name in hockey, but he has generated significant buzz after his 43-point breakout season a year ago.
This season, he has scored 32 points in 49 games as a top-six forward, but he's due to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
General manager Barry Trotz has said the Predators are working on a contract extension for Novak, indicating the team would like to keep him. But Trotz also mentioned Novak as a player "he couldn't let go for nothing."
So where might Novak land if Trotz decides to trade him? Here are three possible destinations, along with a likelihood factor for each.
New York Rangers
The Rangers are in first place in the Metropolitan Division and likely one of the Cup favorites in the Eastern Conference. They are loaded with talent from top to bottom, with leading goal scorer Artemi Panarin being their most dangerous offensive weapon.
Vincent Trocheck and Mika Zibanejad are the Rangers' top two centers, but after that, there's a significant offensive drop-off. The Rangers have been rumored to be interested in Novak for some time.
"I mentioned Tommy Novak. I've heard that #NYR have been scouting a lot around the #Preds. He would be a player that makes some sense for them because he plays really hard and has that grit and jam that we see the Rangers wanting to add."
— @emilymkaplan on @BlueshirtsBreak— Phil Kocher (@PhilKocher) February 27, 2024
He would fit perfectly in a third-line center role for the Rangers, especially if paired with winger Kaapo Kakko. Making the money work between the teams likely would be fairly simple, because Novak's remaining daily cap hit is only $208,333, according to Cap Friendly.
Likelihood factor: High, should Trotz wish to trade him.
Edmonton Oilers
After a rough start to the season, the Oilers are right where we thought they'd be: in comfortable playoff position in the Pacific Division.
The Oilers have arguably the most lethal offensive pairing in the league with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. But center depth after those two is fairly weak, with Ryan McLeod being their best option.
Like the Rangers, the Oilers could use one more offensively skilled center to plug in behind their already impressive roster. Novak would be a perfect fit in between Dylan Holloway and Warren Foegele for Edmonton.
Likelihood factor: Medium. The Oilers have few tradable assets, but a medium-tier prospect and/or second-round pick could make it work.
Tampa Bay Lightning
This season may be the last chance at another Stanley Cup for this era's Lightning. Their talented but aging roster may not have much time left before the inevitable post-dynasty rebuild.
The Lightning also have dynamic goal scorers, with Brayden Point, Nikita Kucherov, and Steven Stamkos, but the team's offensive depth is lacking. Tyler Motte and Luke Glendening are their best options; Novak would be a significant upgrade at center over those two.
Another factor is salary. Tampa has significant cap issues; it is $9 million over the cap, dipping heavily into the league's Long Term Injured Reserve (LTIR) cap relief. Adding a cheap player like Novak — and one who helps them offensively — would be a great strategy.
The return for Novak would be the big question. The Lightning already are low on trade capital. They would probably have to package Novak with multiple assets in order to make the deal work.
Likelihood factor: Low. After the haul Nashville received for Tanner Jeannot, I wouldn't be surprised if GM Julien BriseBois avoids Trotz's phone calls.
WHAT A HAUL: Nashville Predators trade Tanner Jeannot to Tampa Bay Lightning, get 5 draft picks in deal
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Will Nashville Predators trade Tommy Novak? 3 most likely destinations