On Tuesday night, the Nashville Predators executed two significant trades involving Cole Smith and Michael McCarron, marking a major reshuffle of their roster ahead of future seasons. The Predators sent right winger Michael McCarron to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for a second-round draft pick in the 2028 NHL Entry Draft and traded left winger Cole Smith to the Vegas Golden Knights for prospect defenseman Christoffer Sedoff and a third-round pick in the same draft.
Michael McCarron Joins Minnesota Wild After Six Seasons in Nashville
Michael McCarron, a physical right winger from Grosse Pointe, Michigan, is moving to his third NHL franchise, having played with the Montreal Canadiens from 2015 to 2018 before spending six seasons with the Predators between 2020 and 2026. Despite shoulder surgery during his time with the Laval Rocket in the American Hockey League, which sidelined him for two NHL seasons, McCarron has remained a hard-hitting presence on the ice.
McCarron’s career features 495 penalty minutes over 361 regular season NHL games, including back-to-back seasons with over 100 penalty minutes in 2023-24 and 2024-25. In the 2025-26 season with Nashville, he recorded five goals and seven assists across 59 games, while accumulating 73 penalty minutes and contributing to his team with 86 shots on goal, 428 faceoff wins, and 165 hits.
Notably, McCarron scored a shorthanded goal during a 7-3 win against the Colorado Avalanche on January 16, sealing the game with an empty-net goal. His faceoff proficiency has also been remarkable for a winger, with 1,781 career faceoff wins, reflecting his versatility and value to the Predators’ lineup.
Cole Smith Traded to Vegas After Six Seasons with Nashville
Cole Smith, who spent the last six seasons playing for the Predators, now heads to the Vegas Golden Knights after contributing six goals and four assists in 42 games this season. Smith’s stats include 31 penalty minutes, a minus-7 rating, one game-winning goal, and a shorthanded assist.
Smith’s game-winning goal came on October 23 in a tightened 2-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks, where he scored off passes from Michael McCarron and defenseman Justin Barron. His shorthanded assist was pivotal in a 2-1 win against the New York Islanders on January 8, setting up Ryan O’Reilly for the tying goal late in the second period.
With 119 hits and 12 blocked shots, Smith has demonstrated strong defensive capability alongside his offensive efforts, making him a valuable asset for the Golden Knights as they look to bolster their forward depth and special teams play moving forward.
Implications and Outlook for the Predators and Acquiring Teams
These trades signify the Nashville Predators’ intent to reshape their roster by acquiring future draft capital and a promising defensive prospect in Christoffer Sedoff from Helsinki. Sedoff, alongside the draft picks obtained, could play a key role in the team’s rebuilding or retooling strategy for upcoming seasons.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Wild gain a gritty forward with McCarron’s experience and physicality, which could enhance their depth and toughness in the forward lines. The Vegas Golden Knights bolster their squad with Smith, a proven contributor in both offensive and defensive situations, potentially strengthening their pursuit of playoff success.
As the 2028 NHL Entry Draft approaches, the acquired picks hold strategic importance for the Predators’ long-term planning, while Smith and McCarron will aim to make immediate impacts with their new teams, influencing the competitive dynamics in their respective divisions.
