Nashville Predators Made Right Move Acquiring Ryan Johansen

The Nashville Predators took a leap of faith by trading defenseman Seth Jones to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Ryan Johansen, but it was a risk they needed to take.

The Predators have been mostly anemic this year on offense, ranking 18th in the NHL with a 2.6 goals per game average. That just won’t get it done and is a big reason why the Preds are sitting at 19-14-7 and fifth in the Central Division. Hopes were high that the Predators would build on last year’s 47-25-10 finish that saw them lose in six games to the eventual Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks.

Offense has always been a bit of a missing ingredient in Nashville, but the Predators are a team capable of making a run in the playoffs on the shoulders of Pekka Rinne, especially if he recaptures the form he showed during last season. Johansen should give them a bit of a jolt offensively.

Despite his awful year with the Blue Jackets, Johansen would be tied for second in points on the Predators with Filip Forsberg and Shea Weber. He should also be able to thrive in the new environment and become the guy he was never allowed to become in Columbus.

Still, the 23-year-old has to put in the work. One of the knocks on Johansen has been his effort, or lack thereof, at times. He drove the Blue Jackets crazy with lazy play. He would routinely butt heads with coaches who saw the talent and tried to extract it. However, there is no denying the potential is there.

While the cost was steep, as Jones has the potential to be one of the best defensemen in the NHL, it was necessary. The Predators needed some life injected into the offense, and Johansen might be the best available forward placed on the trading block this season.