PREDS GET JOHANSEN FOR SETH JONES
The Nashville Predators acquired center Ryan Johansen from the Columbus Blue Jackets for defenseman Seth Jones.
What does it give the Nashville Predators
This was a tremendous trade because it involves two immensely talented young players. For the Predators, the addition of Johansen should be a big boost to the offense because Nashville lacked a true No. 1 center for quite some time now. The team should also have enough defensive depth to endure the loss of Jones. With Johansen in tow, Mike Ribeiro, Mike Fisher and Calle Jarnkrok should all be in better positions to succeed.
What does it give the Columbus Blue Jackets
For the Jackets, the arrival of Jones is major. Columbus didn't have a true No. 1 defenseman but the mobile and multi-talented Jones has the potential to become one. He will likely be paired with either Ryan Murray or Jack Johnson on the No. 1 pairing. Without Johansen, Columbus will move forward with the likes of Alexander Wennberg, Brandon Dubinsky and William Karlsson as their top three pivots down the middle.
Fantasy impact
Both Johansen and Jones should benefit greatly from this trade, as both players were sorely needed in their new organizations. The biggest losers after this trade could be Jarnkrok (who may have to move back to wing in Nashville to accomodate Johansen) and David Savard (who will probably move to the second pairing behind Jones in Columbus). Nashville defenseman Ryan Ellis and Columbus centers Wennberg and Karlsson could benefit significantly from this deal.
