10 most impactful trades of David Poile's career as Predators general manager

Adam Vingan | The Tennessean

Show Caption Hide Caption Predators GM David Poile 'is best there is' Nashville Predators general manager David Poile has reached the pinnacle of NHL history by tying and then passing Glen Sather's all-time wins record as a general manager.

Through shrewd and bold moves influenced by an unrelenting desire to win, David Poile is one Predators victory from becoming the winningest GM in NHL history.

Poile's longevity, as evidenced by his record-tying 1,319 victories, has been made possible by his progressive approach to roster building.

Here are Poile's most impactful trades during his two decades in Nashville:

10. David Legwand to the Detroit Red Wings (March 5, 2014)

The significance of this trade is more about the outgoing player than the return, a package that included forward Calle Jarnkrok.

Legwand was the Predators' original draft pick in 1998, appearing in 956 games with the franchise. He still holds team records in games played, goals (210) and points (566). Unable to commit to Legwand past the 2013-14 season, Poile traded him to his hometown team in order to retrieve assets.

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9. Kyle Turris from the Ottawa Senators (Nov. 5, 2017)

Poile wanted another high-end center in the Predators' lineup, so he landed Turris in a three-team deal earlier this season. Turris, who signed a six-year contract as part of the transaction, has had an undeniable impact with 26 points in 46 games.

8. James Neal from the Pittsburgh Penguins (June 27, 2014)

When the Predators hired coach Peter Laviolette in 2014, it signaled a stylistic shift toward aggressive offense.

In order to properly equip Laviolette, Poile traded for Neal, a high-scoring sidekick in Pittsburgh who became a focal point of Nashville's attack. Neal scored at least 23 goals in each of his three seasons before the Vegas Golden Knights selected him in the expansion draft last June.

Nashville Predators GM David Poile calls the Langway trade his most memorable Nashville Predators general manager David Poile has made many trades throughout his career, but it's the very first one he made when with the Washington Capitals that Poile says is the most memorable.

7. Kimmo Timonen from the the Los Angeles Kings (June 26, 1998)

An expansion draft throw-in, Timonen ascended to the Predators' captaincy by 2006, setting career highs in assists (42) and points (55) that season. Timonen established the high standard for Predators defensemen, which still endures.

6. Peter Forsberg from the Philadelphia Flyers (Feb. 15, 2007)

"Has there ever been a better player traded at the trade deadline than Peter Forsberg?"

That's how Poile described the addition of the 2003 scoring champion and MVP to the team with the best record in franchise history. Bothered by a bum foot, Forsberg had 15 points in 17 games and four more in five playoff games. He wasn't an overwhelming force at that stage of his career, though, because of his health.

5. Steve Sullivan from the Chicago Blackhawks (Feb. 16, 2004)

With the Predators gunning for their first playoff appearance in 2004, Poile sought Sullivan to bolster the team's roster. He recorded a hat trick in his Predators debut two nights later.

Sullivan, the franchise's first impact acquisition at the NHL trade deadline, paced the Predators with nine goals and 30 points in 24 games after the trade as they reached the postseason.

4. Mike Fisher from the Senators (Feb. 10, 2011)

There might not be a more appropriate marriage between team and player than the Predators and Fisher.

The former captain, who left retirement in January for another opportunity to win the Stanley Cup, has entrenched himself in the community. He arguably is the franchise's most recognizable face.

3. Filip Forsberg from the Washington Capitals (April 3, 2013)

There's a good reason why the Predators' deadline acquisition of Forsberg always is mentioned among the most lopsided in recent NHL history.

Nashville traded disgruntled veteran Martin Erat and unheralded grinder Michael Latta for Forsberg, then a promising prospect. The 23-year-old has evolved into the Predators' most prolific scorer with 107 goals in the past three-plus seasons. Erat and Latta, meanwhile, are no longer in the league.

2. Ryan Johansen from the Columbus Blue Jackets (Jan. 6, 2016)

The pursuit of an in-his-prime No. 1 center, in Poile's words, had lasted "forever" before he landed Johansen more than two years ago.

It was a rare one-for-one swap of budding stars that addressed each team's most urgent need. Columbus received defenseman Seth Jones, who escaped the Predators' defensive logjam and has become an NHL All-Star in a top-pairing role.

The Predators signed Johansen, 25, to an eight-year contract worth $64 million last summer, solidifying him as a franchise cornerstone.

1. P.K. Subban from the Montreal Canadiens (June 29, 2016)

Where were you when the Predators traded Shea Weber for P.K. Subban?

The Predators and Montreal Canadiens stunned the NHL in a midsummer exchange of superstar defensemen. Gone from Nashville was Weber, the captain and greatest homegrown player in team history. But in came Subban, who infused the Predators with unprecedented pizazz.

The trade has had franchise-altering effects on both teams. Subban's presence has enhanced the Predators' popularity and on-ice success.

Reach Adam Vingan at avingan@tennessean.com and on Twitter @AdamVingan.