Report: Preds won't move top prospect Tolvanen for rental

The Nashville Predators reportedly won't part with Eeli Tolvanen in exchange for a player on an expiring contract.

As of Saturday morning, the club's top prospect was not available in a trade for a rental, according to the New York Post's Larry Brooks.

Tolvanen has long been considered Nashville's most promising blue-chip talent, although he's struggled to a degree this season, managing nine goals and 19 points in 38 AHL games.

The Predators are among several teams interested in New York Rangers winger Mats Zuccarello but won't move Tolvanen unless it's Zuccarello's teammate Chris Kreider coming back, adds Brooks.

A prime rental candidate, Zuccarello is a pending unrestricted free agent with a $4.5-million cap hit, according to CapFriendly.

Kreider, on the other hand, is signed through next season at a cap hit of $4.625 million.

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