Predators could move on from long-time defenceman if downward trend continues

The Nashville Predators currently sit seventh in the Discover Central Division with a record of 6-9-0 through 15 games. If the team continues to decline over the next several weeks, it's possible some key changes will be made, including the possibility of moving long-time defenceman Mattias Ekholm.

"There's a more intriguing name when I talk to teams around the league that they hope will be on the market, and I think there's an absolute solid chance that the Predators at least listen, is top-four defenceman Mattias Ekholm, who has been a long-standing member of that organization. He's got a year and a half left on his contract, at a real bargain price of $3.75 million USD. He does not have any no-trade protection, and again this would really be about the Predators perhaps seeing what's out there, and if they don't like then they'd keep him," TSN's Pierre LeBrun said on Tuesday's edition of Insider Trading.

Ekholm, 30, is currently out week-to-week with a lower-body injury and is not expected to play at all this week. In 13 games this season, he has 2 points (2 A), 0 penalty minutes, and is a -1.

The Borlange, Sweden native was drafted in the fourth round, 102nd overall by the Nashville Predators in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. In 550 regular season games, Ekholm has 199 points (45 G, 154 A), 265 penalty minutes, and is a +70. In 65 career playoff games, he's tallied 30 points (6 G, 24 A), 68 penalty minutes, and is a +12.

INSIDER TRADING: #TSNHockey Insiders discuss...

- Is there a trade market for #Canucks' Jake Virtanen?
- Is Ekholm available if #Preds sell?
- Latest on talks for #Beijing2022
- NHL teams' deadline on arena dates for next season

WATCH 🌍: https://t.co/59QQU4L6dX pic.twitter.com/GwS5htJBYC— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) February 16, 2021

Source: TSN

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