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Nashville Predators Sign Defenseman Matt Carle to 1-Year Deal

By Ryan Ritchie

Nov 7, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Matt Carle (25) in the first period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Matt Carle (25) in the first period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nashville Predators Sign Free Agent Defenseman Matt Carle to a 1-Year $700,000 Dollar Contract

Announced Wednesday, the Nashville Predators have inked free agent defenseman Matt Carle to a one-year $700,000 dollar contract. Carle, 31, became an unrestricted FA earlier this summer after Tampa Bay bought out the final two years of his contract ($6 million dollar cap hit).

Matt Carle spent the last four seasons with the Lightning, and just completed his 11th NHL season. He’s coming off career lows across the board after a disappointing nine points in 64 games. Carle posted twice that (18 points) in five fewer games (59 GP) a year before in 2014-15.

Heading into his draft year, Carle was a decorated USNTDP product who took his talents to the USHL for a year in 2002-03 (posting 42 points in 59 games) with plans to join the University of Denver. Matt Carle also won a gold medal with Team USA at the U18’s a year before in 2001-02.

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After hearing his name called in the mid-second round in 2003, Matt began his college hockey career that Fall.

After winning back-to-back NCAA Frozen Four Championships in 2003-04 and 2004-05, Carle received the highest honor in his final year, not only dawning the “C” on his jersey, but being named Hobey Baker Award winner for top college player in 2005-06.

Originally selected by the San Jose Sharks 47th overall (2nd round) back in 2003, Carle was eventually traded to Tampa Bay in July 2008 as part of a deal to acquire Dan Boyle. His first trip to TB lasted three months (12 games) before he was traded again to Philadelphia in November 2008.

He eventually signed with the Lightning as a free agent during the lockout shortened season in 2012-13.

Matt Carle has 45 goals, 237 assists (282 points) in 724 career regular season games. He also has six goals, 38 assists (44 points) in 127 playoff contests.

Over the past couple of days, the Nashville Predators have re-signed Calle Jarnkrok (six years, $2 million dollar cap hit) and Petter Granberg (two years, $612,500 dollar cap hit).

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With the addition of Matt Carle, the Preds have spent $68,198,331 dollars against the $73 million dollar cap for 2016-17.

The Nashville Predators could walk into the new season with their current roster if GM David Poile is comfortable.

There is no urgency to move players, but it would be in the Preds best interest to explore potential upgrades. They might be able to shed that final year on Mike Ribeiro‘s contract to find another top six option.

In a perfect world, top prospect Kevin Fiala steps up to fill that scoring void, but that hope might be a year premature. 

Nashville also needs to figure out their plans for D Mattias Ekholm. Expansion is around the corner, and the Predators will make P.K. Subban, Roman Josi, and Ryan Ellis their three protected d-men.

Saving four defense, four forwards leaves too much talent exposed, leaving only one option: Make a deal with Las Vegas not to select him.

Next: 10 NHL Careers Cut Too Early

While a cute idea to receive draft picks/players for not taking a player, it makes little sense for Las Vegas to accept the unknown variable (that may or may not work out) when a top option such as Mattias Ekholm exists in an expansion draft.

Nashville Predators have options moving forward, so don’t be surprised if we see a little more player movement before the offseason wraps up.

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