NHL Rumors: Predators Waiting to Talk to More Candidates, but No Rebuild, and Braden Schneider Knows he Could be Traded

The Nashville Predators have had three in-person interviews and are awaiting permission on a few candidates

Frank Seravalli: Bill Scott, Brett Peterson and Scott White have all had in-person interviews with the Nashville Predators. Tom Fitzgerald is expected to interview this week.

Internal candidates from the Predators, Jeff Kealty and Scott Nichol, were told they are no longer candidates and that they will hire externally.

The Predators are waiting to speak with a few candidates whose teams are still playing and they don’t have immediate permission to talk to them.

Vancouver Canucks Offseason Trade Talks

No rebuild for the Nashville Predators, regardless of who they hire as GM

Alex Daugherty of The Tennessean: Don’t expect the new GM of the Nashville Predators to start a rebuild, according to forward Steven Stamkos, who has talked to the current management team about the direction of the organization.

“The message was the expectation is still to be a competitive team and to push for the playoffs,” he said. “I don’t anticipate any huge changes. We’ve talked about, is there going to be a rebuild or this or that? It’s safe to say that’s not going to be the case.”

Braden Schneider knows he could be on the move, and that it’s out of his control

Mollie Walker of the NY Post: New York Rangers 24-year-old defenseman Braden Schneider is a pending RFA with arbitration rights. With the Rangers looking to retool, there is a chance that GM Chris Drury looks to move Schneider.

He’s been in the rumor mill since prior to the NHL trade deadline and knows his days could be numbered. He hopes to remain, but knows it’s out of his control.

“Whatever happens is going to happen. I’m proud to be a Ranger, so that’s where I’ll leave that. We’ll see what happens.”

It’s Time for the Detroit Red Wings to Add Some NHL-Calibre Players

Drury knows that Schneider has some value that could help land an established asset. It’s not known if they’ll actually be able to get the type of NHL-player they want, or if they could get a high-end prospect. Schneider is a third-pairing defenseman on a good team, but the Rangers could use a top-four Dman.

The San Jose Sharks are looking to upgrade their blue line, and are believed to have some interest in Schneider.