In his first public comments after the Predators' 2023-24 season, Nashville general manager Barry Trotz said Tuesday he would be more inclined to sign starting goaltender Jose Saros to a contract extension than trade him. Ta.
The question of how the Predators move forward How are they achieving their goals? That's the biggest question facing the organization heading into the offseason.
Saros, the Prets' top netminder for most of the past six years, is recognized as one of the league's top goaltenders. But with only one season left on his contract, he will likely seek a big extension — potentially more than $8 million a year over seven or eight seasons. If the two countries agree on a new deal, nothing may be announced until July 1.
However, the potential increase in Saros' salary, coupled with the fact that the organization's top prospect, Yaroslav Askarov, is on hold in Milwaukee of the American Hockey League, making it unlikely that Nashville will elect to trade Saros this offseason. The possibility is increasing.
But Trotz didn't sound like he was trying to move the 29-year-old Saros on Tuesday. Saros finished in the top six in the Vezina Trophy voting for the league's best goaltender in 2021, 2022 and 2023. Here are some of Saros' numbers: Although the season wasn't up to his usual high standards, he still posted a career record of 182-119-32 with a .917 save percentage and 2.63 goals against average.
“Well, we can't do anything until July 1,” Trotz said of a potential contract extension. “We're in negotiations. I don't think it's going to be a July 1st announcement for sure. I think it's going to be a process with his people, his representatives. But I know this. [Saros] I want him to be here because he wants to be here and he's contributed a lot to that. So we're going to work hard with him to get something done. ”
Trotz is right that Saros wants to stay here.
Saros said Tuesday he doesn't mind having a career like fellow Finn and former Pres goaltender Pekka Rinne, who played all 15 NHL seasons in Nashville.
“Yeah, for sure, especially here, which is a great city and has an incredible fan base,” Saros said. “I think we took another good step as an organization this year. So I believe in this organization. So, of course, I'm happy to do that.”
Saros has become more comfortable with regular questions about his long-term future being directed at him in recent seasons, largely due to Askarov's presence within the organization. is.
But he said he would always accept a deal that gives him long-term security.
“One day you think, [the future] Some days it's a little bit more, some days it's not that much,” Saros said. “But yeah, that's just part of the business.”
Further complicating the goaltending situation is that Pres backup goaltender Kevin Lankinen is a pending unrestricted free agent. He has been invaluable to Nashville over the past two seasons, posting a combined record of 20-14-1 with a .912 save percentage and 2.79 goals against average.
The Pres also want Lankinen back, but Nashville could face competition from organizations that give him a bigger role.
“I spoke with Mr. Saros's representatives and Mr. Lankinen,” Trotz said. “[Lankinen] It's been a great year. He also wants to come back. But…the numbers will decide that. ”
Trotz seemed cautious about whether Askarov is ready to be an NHL goaltender. The talented and charismatic Russian netminder posted a 30-13-1 record with a .911 save percentage and 2.49 goals-against average for Milwaukee this season. He is 0-2 so far in the postseason with an .840 save percentage and a 4.13 goals-against average.
“He's very close [to being NHL ready]But…you can't marinate the goaltender too much,” Trotz said. “We will do our best as an organization and for the development of young Askarov.”
