General manager Barry Trotz signed new contracts worth roughly $170 million in an effort to turn the Nashville Predators into Stanley Cup contenders.
He hopes he's accomplished that goal by signing free-agent forwards Steve Stamkos (four years, $32 million) and Jonathan Marchessault (five years, $27.5 million) and defenseman Brad Skje (seven years, $49 million), and also re-signed impact Predators goaltender Juuse Saros to an eight-year, $61.92 million deal.
“I want to bring the Stanley Cup home to Nashville. I've always wanted to do that as a coach, but I've failed. So I have a responsibility to give my coach as many tools as I can to bring the Cup here,” Trotz told radio station TSN 1050.
The Predators finished 10th in scoring last season (3.24 points per game), but Trotz made adding more points a priority. Stamkos and Marchessault both recorded 40 points last season.
The boys are ready for Smashville! Thank you translator Predator pic.twitter.com/Egi8UeQ4Ad
— Steven Stamkos (@RealStamkos91) July 9, 2024
Red Wings For those who missed it
Bob Duff writes that Dominik Hasek is disappointed that the Hockey Hall of Fame chose Pavel Datsyuk as this season's HHOF inductee. Hasek has consistently criticized Russia for its attacks on Ukraine. He believes Russian athletes should not be honored while the war is ongoing. He believes Datsyuk is worthy of induction into the HHOF.
Emmitt Finney is a real hidden gem on the Red Wings prospect list. He is a seventh-round pick in 2023. The Red Wings already have him under contract. They view him as a forward with a good chance of playing in the NHL.
PAYWALL STORY: GM Steve Yzerman seems confident the Red Wings will reach agreements with RFAs Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond before training camp. Yzerman is OK with either a long-term contract or a short-term stopgap deal. He has the salary-cap space to make it happen. Click here to subscribe to DHN+. Use promo code kevin10 to receive $10 off your annual subscription.
Red Wings offseason
Predictions for how former Red Wings will fit with their new teams: David Perron of the Ottawa Senators will likely be on the third line with centre Ridley Grieg and should be on the second power-play unit. Defenseman Jake Wollman will likely pair with Jan Rutta on San Jose's second pairing.
Hockey Now Network
FLORIDA: Who is eligible to have their name engraved on the Florida Panthers' Stanley Cup?
New Jersey: Seamus Casey explains why he was delayed in signing with the New Jersey Devils.
Philadelphia: PHN's Jonathan Bailey believes the Flyers could speed up their rebuild by extending an offer sheet to Kings RFA Quinton Byfield. The Flyers want a No. 1 center. Byfield, 20, is coming off a breakout season in which he recorded 20 goals and 55 points with the Los Angeles Kings. Since 2006, there have been only 10 offer sheets issued, and only two of those resulted in a player switching teams.
Pittsburgh: A final move for UFA Tyler Johnson might make sense for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
