

Some of the top available free-agent forwards that the Predators could target include Johnny Gaudreau (Calgary), Nazem Kadri (Colorado), Claude Giroux (Philadelphia) and Evander Kane (Edmonton). The Predators have approximately $9.6 million in cap space available for free-agent signings. "We have some forwards maybe internally we can promote, and maybe there could be an addition there," Poile said. Still, Nashville is on the hunt for more scoring firepower. Poile said he's happy with how the team looks now, with Juuse Saros in goal, McDonagh at defense, and Forsberg returning on the top offensive line. "If we have that opportunity, we certainly would like to strengthen our team."
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"There are a number of free agents out there that us and other teams could possibly be interested in," Poile said. Monday is the last day for teams to make qualifying contract offers to their restricted free agents, and free agency opens Wednesday. MORE: Nashville Predators, Filip Forsberg reach 8-year, $68 million contract agreement RELATED: Predators GM says Filip Forsberg's legacy in Nashville is still in progress "By checking off the list and adding an excellent defenseman in Ryan McDonagh before the draft, I feel that we're a better team now than how we ended the season," Poile said.Įven with the the re-signing of Forsberg and addition of McDonagh, who won two Stanley Cups and played for a third with the Lightning, Poile said he may not be done making roster moves. Nashville also added veteran defender Ryan McDonagh in a trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning on July 3. Will Predators make another signing?įorsberg is the second major signing for the Predators in the last week and a half. Nashville rarely includes no-movement and no-trade clauses in its player contracts, which may have contributed to the length of the contract negotiations.Ī no-movement clause stipulates that the player cannot be traded, waived or assigned to the minors without providing his consent, giving the Predators limited power to move him during the life of the contract. "But having said that, these are pretty complicated negotiations, and there were a few things that were important to both sides. "These negotiations took a bit longer than I think either side had anticipated or expected," Poile said. It was a no-brainer for Poile to re-sign Forsberg, but he said the negotiations were more complicated than than they may have seemed. The 10-year veteran set the franchise record for career goals this season with 220 after recording a career best 42 goals and 42 assists for 84 points. "Our plan A, B, C and D in the beginning this offseason was to sign him."

Still, neither Forsberg's camp nor Poile had any plans for him to be anywhere but Nashville next season. The deal took longer than Forsberg or Predators general manager David Poile expected. View Gallery: Filip Forsberg: Nashville Predators forward in photos Inside Filip Forsberg's contract negotiations But with Forsberg locked in for another eight seasons, Nashville is bringing back a player coming off the best season of his career as the remainder of its scoring core stays intact. With NHL free agency opening on Wednesday, the Predators may not be done making roster moves. "We want to be here, and we also like the security of being here," Forsberg said. GENTRY ESTES: Nashville Predators hitched themselves to Filip Forsberg. "It means a lot that I've only played for this franchise," Forsberg said Monday, "and now it looks like that would be the plan for the rest of my career."įorsberg signed his contract extension Monday, and it includes an $8.5 million average annual value through the 2029-30 season as well as no-movement and no-trade clauses, which are unusual for the Predators to include. He said he hopes he won't be done when his new eight-year, $68 million contract runs out in 2030, but however much longer he stays in the NHL, he plans to be playing for the Predators.

Now, Nashville is the city where Forsberg, 27, plans to finish his career. It's the also city where he met his future wife, Erin, who he's set to marry later this month. Instead, he made it his priority to stay in Nashville, the city where he's played his entire 10-year NHL career and is the franchise's all-time leading scorer. Watch Video: Nashville Predators Filip Forsberg discusses future, free agencyĪfter recording one of the best statistical seasons in Nashville Predators history, Filip Forsberg probably could have had his pick of teams in free agency.
