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Nashville Predators: Salary Cap advantage for Poile and Predators

By Corey Francis

May 9, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators left wing Viktor Arvidsson (38) and center Ryan Johansen (92) celebrate Arvidsson's game winner in overtime against the San Jose Sharks at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: George Walker IV/The Tennessean via USA TODAY NETWORK
May 9, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators left wing Viktor Arvidsson (38) and center Ryan Johansen (92) celebrate Arvidsson's game winner in overtime against the San Jose Sharks at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: George Walker IV/The Tennessean via USA TODAY NETWORK /
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Jun 5, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Matt Murray (30) blocks a shot made from Nashville Predators left wing Pontus Aberg (46) during the second period in game four of the 2017 Stanley Cup Final at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit:Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 5, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Matt Murray (30) blocks a shot made from Nashville Predators left wing Pontus Aberg (46) during the second period in game four of the 2017 Stanley Cup Final at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit:Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports /

Aberg is the future

We discussed this in a previous post, but the truth still rings. The performance of Pontus Aberg during the Stanley Cup Playoffs proved his worth to the team. In 16 games during the most important times of the season, Aberg performed. And he performed well.

During the playoffs, Aberg scored five points. While that does not seem like a high amount, it is three more than he earned in the regular season. And, it is not that he saw more ice time either. During the regular season, Aberg average 12 minutes and 20 seconds of ice time each game played. For the playoffs, it was 12 minutes 50 seconds. Not a great deal of difference.

Furthermore, he only played sporadic games during the regular season. Of his fifteen games, nine were in November. Then two in January and four in February. Yet, Peter Laviolette trusted Aberg to play every game versus the Chicago Blackhawks, Anaheim Ducks, and Pittsburgh Penguins. The playing time worked. Aberg’s goal in Game 4 in the Conference Finals on the road gave the Predators a 3 to 1 series lead.

And, his contract is favorable to the Predators. At 22-years old, Poile can sign Aberg to a 4 or 5 year deal, at $1.5 million each. A few dollars more is not out of question, but the team can make a great deal for Aberg.

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