Nashville Predators GM David Poile seems ready to go "all in" this season.
He's already got his team atop the Central Division and tied with the Ducks for the best record in the Western Conference, but Poile may not be satisfied.
"David, I think, wants to go for it, that's the sense I get," an Eastern Conference team executive told ESPN's Pierre LeBrun.
Poile has proven in the past that he's not averse to wheeling and dealing in order to improve his team and, while he's stated previously that a top-six forward is his main focus, it seems that Cody Franson, the big, pending unrestricted free agent defenseman from the Toronto Maple Leafs - and former Nashville draft pick - could now be drawing his attention.
"The Toronto Maple Leafs, Cody Franson. I mentioned Nashville. Cody Franson used to play in Nashville. They would have some interest in him," said TSN's Bob McKenzie while appearing on NBCSN's NHL Live, per NicholsOnHockey.com.
The 27-year-old Franson and the Leafs have long discussed an extension but it seems the Leafs aren't willing to match the contract the blueliner knows he can get on the open market. They're expected to trade him should talks fail.
"I should also mention that (Leafs) general manager Dave Nonis - when his team played the Nashville Predators last night, he stayed because he wants to be there for that Anaheim-Nashville game tomorrow night. The expectation is the Nonis would like to talk turkey both with David Poile and Bob Murray of the Ducks because they've got these assets," McKenzie explained.
Despite his reported interest in Franson, Poile is still keeping his eye on the forward market, and specifically Chris Neil of the Ottawa Senators, with a "Western Conference source" telling LeBrun that the Predators are among a handful of teams showing a desire to deal for the gritty winger.
Poile feels the team needs to "toughen up," per LeBrun and Neil already has a connection to the team as he and Preds center Mike Fisher are close friends.
Neil has seen his ice time and overall role diminish under new head coach Dave Cameron, but has voiced his desire to remain with the team, according to Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun.
