Cole Smith

Boone Jenner locks in on Columbus' wildcard hunt amid a gritty Blue Jackets resurgence. Predators pull Cole Smith midgame in a move that screams trade deadline drama, shipping him straight to Vegas. Front offices buzz as these shifts test depth charts down the stretch.

Nashville ships out Cole Smith and Michael McCarron - McCarron to Minnesota for a 2028 second - as GM Barry Trotz eyes more moves before his exit and the March 6 deadline. Erik Haula's expiring deal makes him a prime target, while Jonathan Marchessault draws real interest despite his protection, and Ryan O'Reilly fields final bids from Colorado, Dallas, and Minnesota.

Nashville ships out gritty vets Cole Smith and Michael McCarron, sparking questions on how these moves juice the Predators' cap and roster flexibility right before deadline madness. Front offices whisper about salary dumps creating room for bigger splashes, especially with O'Reilly drawing eyes as a trade chip. Trading depth for space positions them either to buy aggressively or pivot to sellers, with playoff hopes hanging in the balance.

Nashville keeps cashing in on expiring contracts as they deal gritty winger Cole Smith to the Vegas Golden Knights for a 2028 third-rounder and prospect Christoffer Sedoff. The 30-year-old brings size, speed, and a team-high 119 hits to Vegas' bottom six, where they're scrambling with injuries up front and clinging to first in the Pacific.

Vegas GM Kelly McCrimmon pulls the trigger on a deadline deal, snagging forward Cole Smith from Nashville for a defenseman and a 2028 third-rounder. The 30-year-old bruiser brings 119 hits this season - second on the Preds - plus killer PK minutes that scream bottom-six plug-and-play. With his undrafted UND roots and NHL track record, Smith slots right into Vegas' wheelhouse as they chase another Cup run, but expect McCrimmon to keep wheeling and dealing.

Tampa Bay circles Nashville as the Predators shop their impending UFAs, with Cole Smith's name lighting up rumor mills after Frank Seravalli drops intel on a potential Lightning landing spot. The Bolts crave bottom-six grit and penalty-kill help, especially with their forward depth stretched thin lately. Smith's $1M cap hit makes him a steal for a gritty fourth-liner who could steady the ship down the stretch in a brutal playoff path.