Nashville Predators Trade Rumors: Ryan Johansen Traded for Seth Jones
The NHL has seen several trades this season, but nothing is bigger than what the Nashville Predators and the Columbus Blue Jackets announced, with the Blue Jackets sending former number 4 overall pick Ryan Johansen to the Nashville Predators for their own former number 4 overall pick, Seth Jones.
The blockbuster trade is supposedly aimed at filling in the most important needs for both teams. Johansen is a Canadian ice hockey center who produced 59 goals for more than two seasons. However, he's been visibly struggling this season with only six goals to show so far. With new coach John Tortorella filling in for the Blue Jackets, it looked like the 23-year-old couldn't seem to find his niche in the team.
Jones, on the other hand, was selected by the Predators as the number 4 pick in the 2013 draft and is currently averaging close to 20 minutes per game. He's played in 40 games this season, producing 11 points in the process.
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Although both players are full of potential, the trade makes sense since they address the needs of the teams they're heading. For instance, Nashville is hoping to get a player who can put in the power the forward group needs. Because they already have a solid defensive bunch, they need someone like Johansen to handle the scoring for them.
In Jones, the Blue Jackets obtain someone who can immediately make an impact in defense. As a matter of fact, there is a good chance he'll become the team's defensive cornerstone; someone the team hasn't found for years now.
At this point, it should be very interesting to figure out which team gets the most out of this deal. The two players play in two different positions and strengths, but what they have with them is the very reason why their original teams traded them away for each other.
