Nashville Predators Free Agency Outlook, Potential Fits

Nashville Predators Free Agency Preview/Outlook, Salary Cap Situation, Restricted Free Agents, Team Needs, and Potential Fits

Making free agency news on Monday, the Nashville Predators locked up star winger Filip Forsberg to a six-year $36 million dollar extension ($6 million per year). That leaves the Predators with a little under $8 million dollars to spend against the $73 million dollar salary cap for 2016-17.

The Preds have seven forwards who make at least $3.5 million dollars/year, and could look to move one of those players. Mike Ribeiro tops the list, and could be an attractive rental piece for another team (one year remaining on his deal at $3.5 million/year).

Rumors also suggest Nashville would prefer to trade Eric Nystrom‘s $2.5 million dollar cap hit opposed to buying him out. One way or another, his contract should come off the books (even if the Preds retain part of it).

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Nashville’s 2015-16 campaign was almost a tale of two different teams.

Overloaded with defensive talent, the Preds struggled to put together wins early, and as projected heading into the season, the center position was a major weakness.

Once Nashville traded Seth Jones for Ryan Johansen, the missing piece was found. The Predators were among the NHL’s best over the second half finishing 7th in the Western Conference, snagging that top Wild-Card spot with a record of 41-27-14 with 96 points.

Meeting up with Pacific Division winner Anaheim in the first round, Nashville rallied to a game seven victory after falling behind early in the series.

San Jose was waiting for them in the second round, and Nashville gave them all they could handle going the distance. Unfortunately, the Preds fell short in game seven, and as we know, San Jose went on to defeat St.Louis en route to a Stanley Cup Finals Appearance.

Nashville Predators Free Agency Outlook/Preview

Salary Cap Committed to 2016-17: $65,276,307
Number of Players Signed: 38

Notable Unrestricted Free Agents: Paul Gaustad, Carter Hutton, Patrick Mullen, Jamie Devane

Notable Restricted Free Agents: Gabriel Bourque, Calle Jarnkrok, Petter Granberg, Cody Hodgson, Stefan Elliott

It should be interesting to see what type of cap hit Calle Jarnkrok will earn after his breakout 30-point season. After scoring 16 goals in 2015-16, it seems Jarnkrok has the potential to be a 20-goal scorer in a secondary support role.

We can estimate that Nashville would have between $5-7 million dollars for spending in free agency as it currently stands (including Jarnkrok).

If they trim salary in coming days, they could be big players to add an impact top-six forward (preferably center).

Nashville Predators Free Agency Team Needs

Top-Six Center, 2nd/3rd Line RW (a Player Who Would Be Interchangable with Craig Smith to Help Spread out the Scoring), Depth Defensemen

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When you include top prospect LW Kevin Fiala as a top candidate for NHL duties in 2016-17, it seems the Preds have enough offensive depth overall.

The only adjustment the team could consider is upgrades. Moving out Ribeiro, sliding Mike Fisher down the depth chart, then signing another center is a top option.

Also, finding another 2nd/3rd line RW would give Nashville versatility with Craig Smith as the two could interchange and swap spots based on chemistry or performance.

You need three or four lines of scoring to compete for Lord Stanley these days.

Jun 24, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; Dante Fabbro puts on a team jersey after being selected as the number seventeen overall draft pick by the Nashville Predators in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft at the First Niagra Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /

Nashville is well-known for their strong defensive group. The Preds added to their prospect pool this past weekend when they selected BCHL product Dante Fabbro in the 1st round.

They also have numerous quality blue line prospects already, but unfortunately several of them are still two to three years away from having an NHL impact.

Nashville must look to sign at least a pair of depth d-men who can sit in the press box or play in Milwaukee serving as insurance for injuries.

Next: Big Winner/Loser at the NHL Draft

Potential Nashville Predators Free Agency Targets

Top-Six Center: Eric Staal, Frans Nielsen, Sam Gagner

2nd/3rd Line RW: David Backes, Teddy Purcell, Loui Eriksson, Kyle Okposo, David Jones, Troy Brouwer

Depth Defenseman: Matt Bartkowski, Mike Weber, Eric Gryba, Jakub Nakladal, Matt Irwin, Brian Strait, Zach Redmond, Matt Tennyson, Zach Trotman, David Schlemko, Jamie McBain, Taylor Fedun

*Salary/Free Agent information was obtained through www.generalfanager.com

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