Why did the Nashville Predators trade forward Viktor Arvidsson to the Los Angeles Kings?
NASHVILLE  Perhaps Viktor Arvidsson's first nudge out of Nashville occurred Nov. 23, 2019, in St. Louis. Robert Bortuzzo's double-crosscheck of the then-Predators forward was more like a "dirty" shove, one that cost Arvidsson four weeks of his season. On Wednesday, the oft-injured Arvidsson was traded to the Los Angeles Kings for a second-round pick in this year's NHL Draft and a third-round pick in the 2022 draft, marking the beginning of the Predators' 2021 offseason with a big move. Theres no question that hes had a couple of injuries in the past couple of years that have really hurt him, Predators general manager David Poile said after last season. I think of the one Bortuzzo in St. Louis which was just a terrible cross-check. I think that really took him out of a lot of effectiveness.  Arvidsson, a 28-year-old Swedish forward, selected in the fourth round of the 2014 NHL Draft, had 127 goals in seven seasons for the Predators, which ranks sixth in franchise history. His 34 goals in the 2018-19 season set a franchise single-season record. Since that season, his goal totals have slumped to 15 (in 57 games in 2019-20) and 10 (in 50 games in 2020-21). He has missed 42 games during the last three regular seasons. He did not play in the team's final four postseason games this year, after missing the final five during the regular season. STANLEY CUP FINAL:Lightning in driver's seat, take 2-0 lead on Canadiens  UNANIMOUS:Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid's wins Hart Trophy  We want to thank Viktor for all he did to propel our organization forward during his time with the Predators, Poile said Wednesday in a statement. His work ethic, tenacity and goal-scoring ability  as shown by his franchise single-season record of 34 goals during the 2018-19 season  made him a key part of our teams that reached the 2017 Stanley Cup Final, won the 2018 Presidents Trophy and earned back-to-back Central Division titles. We wish him and his family all the best moving forward in Los Angeles.  The move also has some financial advantages for the Predators, who freed up $4.25 million in cap space for the next three years. After Wednesday's trade, the Predators had nearly $23 million in cap space for next season. That could be crucial considering the team could use some off that money to sign players such as Mattias Ekholm and/or Filip Forsberg, who will be unrestricted free agents after next season. With the expansion draft coming up July 21, Arvidsson's departure also frees up another player the team can protect. It also gives them some leeway to potentially sign Pekka Rinne, who said he is taking his time deciding whether or not to retire. The trade also gives the Predators eight selections in this summer's draft, scheduled for July 23-24, and seven selections in the 2022 draft. Reach Paul Skrbina via email at pskrbina@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @PaulSkrbina.