Predators not interested in trading defense to improve roster

The Predators, as evidenced during the past year and a half, are unafraid to make newsworthy trades. Just don’t ask them about their defense. “We’ve traded enough defensemen in my recent history,” Predators general manager David Poile said Saturday at the conclusion of the NHL draft. “I think everybody would be pretty much on the same page that our defense drives our team and our corps is as good as any in the league. “We will not be touching our defense in the near future here.” Since January 2016, Nashville has traded defensemen Seth Jones and former captain Shea Weber to Columbus and Montreal for center Ryan Johansen and defenseman P.K. Subban, respectively. The Predators protected their top four defensemen — Subban, Roman Josi, Ryan Ellis and Mattias Ekholm — in last week’s expansion draft. As a result, the Predators lost veteran forward and nine-time 20-goal scorer James Neal to the Vegas Golden Knights. Neal’s departure removed an offensive threat from the Predators’ lineup and $5 million from their salary cap, leaving the team with roughly $22.7 million in space, according to capfriendly.com. Multiple reports during the weekend linked the Predators to Avalanche center Matt Duchene, who has long been rumored to be available. Colorado, however, reportedly wants an NHL-ready defenseman as part of the return.