Quoting: gmgb
Staal's play is in a serious decline, he's too expensive, and has too much term. Bonino was having his best season as a Pred, makes significantly less, and is only signed for one more year. If you don't want Bonino, don't ask for him in a trade. Just please stop trying to pretend "Staal is still one of the best centers in the league in both zones". He doesn't hold anywhere close to the value you think he does, and Nashville is the last team to be interested in another expensive center.
Staal is one of the best defensive forwards in the league, Stats cannot be denied. That is just a fact. In his D zone, he's easily the better defensive forward in this trade.
Offensively, no one generates more chances in the NHL than Jordan Staal, per evolving hockey. Has he got a bad cap hit? Ya, but if he retires, it doesn't affect the predators. Has he got bad term? Ya. However, he's currently the Canes captain, he's having a down year with his hands, but his play is NOT declining. I highly suggest you go re-evaluate Jordan Staal because he might even beat out RyJo for the 1C spot, because of his solid game in 2 zones. You're gonna have a meltdown now saying that "lMaO yOu'Re SaYiNg, He'S bEtTeR tHaN jOhAnSsOn" but I didn't say that. Putting him on Nashville's top line gives someone that actually plays defence in the forward core, and it gives a great play-maker to Arvidsson and Forsberg, both of whom may benefit from it.
Carolina move out a top 6 calibre C for a cap dump to create space for Necas to move across and Geekie to come up, Nashville get a genuine two way forward who can put up great numbers in both ends to compliment 3 great offensive players.