This season, he acquired veteran tough guy Cody McLeod and reacquired center Vernon Fiddler to bolster the bottom half of the forward lineup. Poile is a calculated risk-taker, but not every trade is or needs to be wow-worthy. Captain Mike Fisher (February 2011 from Ottawa), forward Filip Forsberg (April 2013 from Washington) and sniper James Neal (June 2014 from Pittsburgh) also have assumed important roles. Johansen, who will miss the Stanley Cup Final because of injury, and Subban have been instrumental in the Predators' ascension to contender status. Since January 2016, the Predators have made a pair of headline-grabbing deals, swapping defenseman Seth Jones for center Ryan Johansen (Columbus) and former captain Shea Weber for defenseman P.K. The two most talked-about trades in recent NHL history share a common denominator. Here is how the Predators' roster has been constructed for championship success: TRADING FACES We’re getting fantastic contributions from everybody.' All of the components have come together to this point after three rounds.

'This year, we’ve peaked for the first time at the right time. “You’ve got to peak at the right time,' Poile recently said. Nashville's first Western Conference championship is part of that plan, but so is the Stanley Cup, which the Predators will pursue starting Monday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Predators general manager wasn't smoking a cigar à la John 'Hannibal' Smith from 'The A-Team,' but the sentiment was the same. PITTSBURGH - David Poile loves it when a plan comes together. Watch Video: Stanley Cup Final: Pens and Preds offer plenty of intrigue

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