Brady Skjei Trade Rumours Heat Up As Nashville Predators Receive Interest In Veteran Defenceman

Nashville defenceman Brady Skjei amid growing NHL trade speculation© Getty via AFP

The Nashville Predators are listening to offers on defenceman Brady Skjei, and according to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period and Daily Faceoff, multiple teams have already had conversations with Nashville about the 32-year-old. Skjei still has four years left on his contract at a $7 million cap hit, making this a significant move for any team willing to commit. The timing matters here given how quickly the NHL trade landscape shifts once contenders start identifying their defensive needs early in the season.

Skjei's Market Is Real, But the Contract Is the Catch

Pagnotta initially reported that Skjei lacked any trade protection, though he later corrected that, noting Skjei actually holds a full no-move clause alongside a modified no-trade clause with a 15-team list this season. That distinction is important. While the full no-move clause protects Skjei from waivers or minor-league assignment, the modified list gives general manager Chris MacFarland room to shop him, provided the destination is one of the teams that does not fall on Skjei's protected list.

The sticking point for interested clubs appears to be the contract length rather than the player's value. Several teams are hesitant to absorb the full remaining term, which is understandable when you're talking about a commitment running through 2031. But Pagnotta made it clear that the hesitation is not about Skjei the player. His exact words: “Leads me to believe a lot of playoff contenders might be interested in this particular player, who don't have the space to necessarily work with, because a player of his calibre, a different environment, his experience, past experience, especially in those Carolina days, is a hell of a guy to have on that back end.”

That is a candid assessment. Skjei spent five seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes before Nashville landed him on a seven-year, $49 million deal in July 2024. He posted 47 points in 80 games for Carolina in his final season there, logging over 21 minutes of ice time per night. He is a legitimate top-four defenceman, the kind of player contenders look for at the deadline but rarely find available.

Nashville Has Options and Toronto Could Be Watching

The Predators could also look at retaining a portion of his salary to attract more suitors, which would expand the pool of realistic trade partners considerably. Teams squeezed against the cap but in genuine playoff contention could suddenly make the numbers work if Nashville eats even a million or two annually.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have been mentioned as a team willing to part with a premium asset for a difference-maker on the blue line, and Skjei could fit that description. Toronto's blue line questions are well-documented. A two-way defenceman who averages over 20 minutes a night and brings playoff experience would address a real need.

For Nashville, this is not a fire sale situation. The Predators are not a desperate team looking to dump contracts. But moving Skjei could free up long-term cap flexibility, and the front office appears to be in listening mode. No deal has to happen now. Their best offer might still be weeks away.