The Nashville Predators were very active early as free agency kicked off this morning with several big name signings.
Nashville signed former Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos to a four-year, $8 million AAV deal. Stamkos, 34, was the first overall pick in the 2008 NHL Draft and spent 16 seasons with the Lightning. In 2020 and 2021, he led the team to back to back Stanley Cup wins. He recorded 40 goals and 81 points in 79 games last season.
Stamkos will be joined in Nashville by former teammate Jonathan Marchessault, and it is no coincidence.
Marchessault signed a five year, $5.5 million AAV deal with the Predators. He is coming off a career year in points (69 pts) and goals (42) and will add plenty of offensive punch to the Predators top six.
Barry Trotz also made a big addition to the Predators’ blue line signing former Carolina Hurricane Brady Skjei to a seven-year, $7 million deal. Six-foot-three-inch Skjei adds size to Nashville’s blue line and more potential scoring after a 13 goal season last year.
Nashville signed goaltender Scott Wedgewood to a two-year deal today as well. Wedgewood played 32 games last season for the Dallas Stars and earned an .899 save percentage and 2.85 goals against average. The Wedgewood deal is worth $1.5 million per year.
There were notable losses to the Predators roster as free agency kicked off. Forward Kiefer Sherwood signed a two-year, $3 million deal with the Vancouver Canucks while trade deadline acquisition Jason Zucker moved on from Nashville and will play next season for the Buffalo Sabres on a one-year, $5 million deal.
