The Nashville Predators acquired forwards Dalton Bancroft and Massimo Rizzo from the Boston Bruins in exchange for forward Navrin Mutter on March 12, 2026. This trade involves young prospects with experience in the AHL and NCAA. The move bolsters Nashville's forward depth with players from Boston's system.
Nashville Predators General Manager Barry Trotz announced the acquisition of forwards Dalton Bancroft and Massimo Rizzo from the Boston Bruins in return for forward Navrin Mutter. The deal was made public on March 12, 2026.
Bancroft, 25, has recorded one goal and one assist in 34 games with the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League this season. The 6-foot-3, 212-pound forward from Madoc, Ontario, made his professional debut late in the 2024-25 season, scoring one goal in five games with Providence. Prior to turning pro, Bancroft played three seasons at Cornell University from 2022 to 2025, accumulating 36 goals and 43 assists for 79 points in 103 NCAA games. In his final season with Cornell, he ranked second on the team with 15 goals and 27 points. Bancroft signed with Boston as a free agent in 2025.
Rizzo, 24, has appeared in one game with Providence this season after being acquired by Boston from the Philadelphia Flyers on March 6. The 5-foot-10, 175-pound forward from Burnaby, British Columbia, has tallied six goals and 16 assists for 22 points in 29 games with the ECHL's Reading Royals during the 2025-26 season, ranking fourth in assists on the team. In the AHL, Rizzo has six goals and 12 assists in 47 career games split between Providence and Lehigh Valley. Originally selected by Carolina in the seventh round, 216th overall, of the 2019 NHL Draft, Rizzo played three seasons at the University of Denver from 2021 to 2024, posting 19 goals and 30 assists for 49 points.
In exchange, the Bruins receive Mutter, 24, who has one assist in 27 games with the Milwaukee Admirals this season, his fourth professional campaign. The 6-foot-3, 213-pound forward from Lucan, Ontario, has four goals and 16 assists in 149 career AHL games with Milwaukee and Stockton. Mutter signed with Nashville as a free agent in 2022.
Boston General Manager Don Sweeney confirmed the trade, noting the players' potential contributions at the AHL level.
