Is Viktor Arvidsson the Predators' best trade chip?

While there has been speculation that the Nashville Predators will be sellers this year with another disappointing season — the team stands at 10-14, sixth in the Central Division — many experts are pointing fingers at pending unrestricted free agent Filip Forsberg. The 26-year-old forward is one of the few bright spots this year with 10 goals and 24 points in 24 games. There are many questions regarding his asking price (potentially in the $9M AAV range) and interest in remaining on a team ready to begin a full rebuild. However, there is also speculation that the Predators' asking price for Forsberg is incredibly high, making it less likely they will deal him when the trade deadline rolls around on April 12.

On the other hand, The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta writes that a more likely candidate to be moved will be forward Viktor Arvidsson. The 27-year-old is in the fourth year of a seven-year, $29.75M deal, and over a three-year period (from 2016-17 through the 2018-19 campaigns), he averaged more than 30 goals per season. However, Arvidsson’s play — like much of his team — has dropped in the last two years. He scored just 15 goals last season and currently has just three goals and 12 points in 24 games so far.

Regardless, it makes sense that a possible revival in Arvidsson’s offense could easily happen on a contender. Since almost everyone in Nashville is struggling, he might be able to turn his game around. Throw in that Arvidsson makes a reasonable $4.25M per year and is locked up for another three years, giving teams some security could make him an attractive commodity for many playoff contenders.

Of course, Nashville has plenty of other candidates it wouldn’t mind moving, including pending UFA’s Mikael Granlund and Erik Haula. It might even consider discussing some of their top defensemen. The team also wouldn’t minding ridding themselves of centers Matt Duchene or Ryan Johansen, but both have contracts that might prove difficult to move.