Preds, Jackets Trade Stars In A Win/Win Deal
The Nashville Predators needed offense so badly that they were willing to give up one of the most talented young defensemen in the game to get it. On Wednesday, the Preds sent 21 year old Seth Jones to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for forward Ryan Johansen. The 23 year old Johansen is the “#1 Center” that Nashville has been looking for throughout the history of the franchise. The Predators have had trouble scoring goals over the past month during which they’ve lost a maddening number of one goal games. Nashville also has 7 overtime losses, tying them for the second most in the NHL.
Johansen has struggled this season and in the process fell into the ‘doghouse’ of new head coach John Tortorella. Of course it’s all a matter of perspective–his six goals and 20 assists in 38 games gives him 26 points which already ties him for the second most on the Predators’ roster (defenseman Roman Josi leads with 30 points). He needed a fresh start and the Predators are hoping he takes advantage of it. When he’s playing well he can do it all explains Nashville general manager David Poile: “Ryan is a big, young center that can score, set up goals, win faceoff. He’s a No. 1 center who is still growing his game and has the size and skill that we have been looking for to match up with the best in the league.”
The Predators hated to part with Seth Jones, a 6’3″ defenseman that everyone thinks is destined for stardom. Unfortunately, he was the only member of their deep defensive corps that could land them a #1 center. Jones was the #4 overall pick in the 2013 draft and is a highly coveted right handed shot. He’s the son of former NBA star Popeye Jones and will help shore up a Columbus defense that has the worst goals against average in the league. The Jackets are also one of the worst teams in the league in shots on goal against, allowing 30.5 per contest. Jones will need to have an immediate impact–right now the Jackets have their top two goalie–Sergei Bobrovsky and Curtis McElhinney on the injured reserve list.