BARRY TROTZ CAN HEAR the vultures circling. They sound like a vibrating phone, as other NHL general managers call him to inquire about his veteran players during another disastrous start for the Nashville Predators .

"You hear this from a lot of teams: 'We're looking for a top-six [forward].' You know, I have a couple of top sixes," Trotz told ESPN on Monday. "I've talked to their agents. I just want to get a feel for [things]. If we get this turned around, it'll be fine. If we don't, then maybe they want to say, 'Hey, I'm getting a little older, I want another crack at it. Can we do something?'"

Nashville is the NHL's worst team, ranked 32nd in points percentage (.364). The Predators are ranked 30th in team defense (3.68 goals against per game) and dead last in goals per game (2.32).

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