Earlier tonight, the Nashville Predators announced the team would be scratching forward Tanner Jeannot tonight in anticipation of an imminent trade. Not long after that decision, reports emerged that the Tampa Bay Lightning are believed to be acquiring him.
Jeannot, only 25 years old, is an extremely physical depth forward with scoring ability, fitting the model of recent trade acquisitions of the Lightning that includes Nick Paul and Brandon Hagel. Jeannot had a career year offensively last season, scoring 24 goals and 41 points in 81 games, but has struggled this year on a desolate Predators team.
Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2018 by the Predators, Jeannot is in the final year of a contract that pays him only $800K, and being a restricted free agent on expiration, the Lightning will have control over Jeannot next season. Jeannot's physical play and scoring touch will be a incredible compliment to Tampa's bottom-six, and exactly fits the mood of the type of game Tampa plays.
Just a day after trading forward Nino Niederreiter, Nashville appears to be committing to selling at this year's deadline. One other player that's reportedly been made available by Nashville includes defenceman Mattias Ekholm. On the other hand, Tampa Bay makes their first big addition to their roster for another deep playoff run, and competing with what's become an eastern conference arms race.
