Report: Predators acquire Erik Gudbranson from Senators

The Nashville Predators have acquired defenseman Erik Gudbranson from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Brandon Fortunato and a 2023 seventh-round pick, as first reported by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. 

Gudbranson is the very definition of a journeyman, now joining the sixth team of his career. The 29-year-old was previously traded to Ottawa in October 2020 and was subsequently named an alternate captain. 

Through 36 games with the Senators, Gudbranson registered a goal and three points in 36 games, averaging over 18 minutes per game with middling possession metrics.   

Gudbranson has never lived up to the promise that came with being selected third overall in the 2010 NHL Draft but with over 550 games on his resume he could provide a veteran presence as the Predators may enter a reluctant rebuild this year. It’s worth noting the Predators didn’t trade many of their top targets Monday, including Mattias Ekholm and Filip Forsberg. 

Gudbranson is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year, though it seems unlikely he’ll be able to find a deal that will exceed his current average annual value of $3 million per season.    

Fortunato, a 24-year-old left-shot blueliner, has yet to record a point in nine games with the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters in 2020-21.  

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