NHL: Wild acquire Forward Michael McCarron from Predators

The Minnesota Wild have acquired forward Michael McCarron from the Nashville Predators in exchange for a 2028 second-round draft pick, adding a physical presence and experience to their lineup as they chase a Central Division playoff push. McCarron, 30, brings nine NHL seasons and a career-high 165 hits this year to the Wild.

FIELD LEVEL MEDIA / Reuters

March 4, 2026

Detroit Red Wings left wing James van Riemsdyk (21) and Nashville Predators right wing Michael McCarron (47) battle for the puck during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, on March 2, 2026.

Steve Roberts / Reuters

The Minnesota Wild acquired forward Michael McCarron from the Nashville Predators on Tuesday in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft.

The trade was confirmed shortly after McCarron was a late scratch from Nashville’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets for “roster management” reasons.

McCarron, who turns 31 on Saturday, is in his ninth NHL season after being selected 25th overall by Montreal in the 2013 NHL Draft. He spent the last six seasons with Nashville, recording 66 points (31 goals, 35 assists) in 292 games.

This season, McCarron has 12 points (five goals, seven assists) and a team-leading career-high 165 hits in 59 games for the Predators. The move brings him closer to home, as he hails from Grosse Pointe, Michigan.

McCarron is in the final season of a two-year, $1.8 million contract extension he signed in February 2024, making him a rental for Minnesota unless the Wild decide to offer another extension. Minnesota is currently third in the Central Division with 80 points, 14 points ahead of the fourth-place Utah Mammoth.

-Field Level Media/Reuters