The Nashville Predators won day one of NHL free agency

Monday marked the beginning of the free agency period around the NHL. The NHL salary cap rose from $83.5 million to $88 million after years of a mostly flat salary cap due to the COVID pandemic. and teams wasted no time as they signed players fast and furious.

Overall, there were 121 signings carrying 290 contract years and $1billion in salary on Day One of free agency, per CapFriendly. And of all 32 teams across the league, none made bigger splashes than the Nashville Predators, who spent over $140 million on new players.

After finishing 2023 with a record of 47-30-5, and being eliminated by the Vancouver Canucks, General Manager Barry Trotz signed three stars and extended two of his own players. Here is a recap of what the Predators did.

Forward Steven Stamkos

After 16 seasons in Tampa Bay, superstar center Steven Stamkos agreed to a four-year, $32MM dollar deal. Stamkos will add so much to the Predators lineup, including being a weapon with his one-timer on the powerplay. Although he is 34-years-old, he does not seem to be slowing down. Last season he played in 79 games and scored 40 goals and added 41 assists. 

Forward Jonathan Marchessault

After signing Stamkos, the team added another veteran winger with the ability to score goals. Coming off a career-high 42 goals for the Vegas Golden Knights, the 33 year-old Marchessault signed a five-year, 27.5MM dollar contract with the Predators. Adding Marchessault and Stamkos to a lineup with Filip Forsberg and Ryan O’Reilly will make Nashville a tough opponent to contain.

Defenseman Brady Skjei

After signing two stalwarts to the offensive side of the ice, Trotz solidified his defense by signing Brady Skjei to a seven-year, $49MM dollar deal. Skjei totaled a career-high in points last season with the Carolina Hurricanes, scoring 13 goals and 34 assists in 80 games. Skjei will be a nice first-pairing combination to use with Roman Josi, and will also see big minutes on the powerplay and shorthanded units.

Goalie Juuse Saros

Trotz was also able to lock up a couple of his own players, including goaltender Juuse Saros. Saros agreed to a eight-year, $61.92MM dollar contract after had an effective season last year, going 35-24-5 with a 2.86 GAA and a .905 save percentage. 

Defenseman Alexandre Carrier

Carrier was a solid member of the Predator’s blue line last season and was rewarded with a three-year, $11.25MM dollar deal. Carrier is projected to be a second-pairing defenseman with Jeremy Lauzon. Last season, he played 73 games and tallied four goals and 16 assists while posting a +7. 

Nashville also signed the following role players who will add depth throughout their organization.

• Goalie-Scott Wedgewood
• Forward- Vinnie Hinostroza
• Forward- Jake Lucchini
• Defenseman- Nick Blankenburg
• Goalie- Matt Murray

The Predators improved their team tremendously on day one of free agency and after finishing fourth in the Central last season, they should be considered a contender next year to win the division. 

As of today here are the Nashville Predators projected lines.

Line 1- Filip Forsberg, Ryan O’Reilly and Gustav Nyquist

Line 2- Steven Stamkos, Tommy Novak and Jonathan Marchessault

Line 3- Mark Jankowski, Colton Sissons and Luke Evangelista

Line 4- Cole Smith, Michael McCarron and Juuso Parssinen

Defense:

Brady Skjei- Roman Josi

Jeremy Lauzon- Alexandre Carrier

Spencer Stastney- Luke Schenn

Goalies:

Juuse Saros- Scott Wedgewood