The Predators probably stay at No. 22
Alex Daugherty of The Tennessean: The Nashville Predators pick at No. 22 tonight and GM Barry Trotz tried to climb without luck.
“I tried to go up,” Trotz told The Tennessean on Thursday, “But I had crews tell me, 'Unless you take my socks off, I'm not coming down.'
High acquisition costs mean the Predators are likely to stay at No. 22.
NHL Rumors: Predators and Saros, Hurricanes and Guentzel, Canucks, Bruins, and Jets
The Wild are in Rutger McGroaty, open to running backs, Filip Gustavsson, and Patrik Laine
Michael Russo of The Athletic: The Minnesota Wild are one of the teams talking to the Winnipeg Jets about Rutger McGroarty. They will likely be willing to trade their No. 13 pick.
There is also a chance to trade down and get another second round pick. The Chicago Blackhawks moved up from No. 20 to No. 18 and may be looking to move forward.
The Wild are talking to teams about goaltender Filip Gustavsson but they won't just give him away. If they don't trade Gustavsson, that likely means Jesper Wallstedt starts in the AHL.
The Wild are looking for a center six.
Patrik Laine may interest the Wild but the Blue Jackets will need to retain half of his $8.7 million cap hit.
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The Wild don't have much salary cap flexibility and it makes it difficult for GM Bill Guerin.
“I've done some cheering and stuff,” said Guerin. “It's funny. You've done your flirting, and you get here and it's quiet. But (Friday) is usually the day, right? Either way, I still like our team structure. We can (trade or sign a free agent), but we need to get back to our identity. We need to get our swagger back. We need to get back to the way we can play, but with ourselves. To me that is a very big thing.”
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