Nashville Predators: Salary Cap advantage for Poile and Predators

Now that the Expansion Draft is completed, the Nashville Predators can spend money. Over $22 million to be exact. The question is who gets contracts.

It is done. Over. We saw it coming, but still didn’t expect it. The Nashville Predators lost a key figure in James Neal in the Expansion Draft. And, while it is tough to lose a great person, it is up to GM David Poile to move forward.

That should not be difficult. With Neal no longer on the Predators’ roster, the team now as $22.2 million in cap space. With several needs to fill, having the funds to make moves is important. The work now lays on Poile and the Predators’ front office to find the right fits for the team.

So, what holes are there? The defenseman positions are filled by P.K. Subban, Roman Josi, Ryan Ellis, and Mattias Ekholm. Plus, more young depth. Calle Jarnkrok and Colton Sissons fill the center position, but a hole is there as well. It is the winger positions that must be addressed.

With that stated, there are several free agents that were on the team in 2016-17 the team would like back. Pontus Aberg, Viktor Arvidsson, and Ryan Johansen are among likely candidates to re-sign, as they are restricted free agents. That will help the winger depth. Add Mike Fisher and Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau, whom are both unrestricted free agents, and options are plentiful.

But, will that be good enough? We take a look at the potential free agents forwards the Nashville Predators could court and sign.

Arvidsson, Johansen are necessary

The Nashville Predators must do what it takes to keep Viktor Arvidsson. In his second full season, the 24-year old left winger lead the team in goals, points, short handed goals, and was second in plus/minus rating.

Along side of Arvidsson, Ryan Johansen is needed. Not just because he earned 61 points, like Arvidsson, but because they worked well with together on the front-line. The combination of them and Filip Forsberg scored 180 of the team’s 625 total points.

Here is the problem. While Arvidsson’s contract was worth $640,000 in 2016, Johansen’s was $6 million. Furthermore, Forsberg also earned $6 million. Can the Predators afford all three players? It is unlikely the team will pay 10 times more for Arvidsson than his previous contract.

The combination of both players will be close to $10 million, with Arvidsson earning $3 million and $7 million for Johansen.

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.

Take from a conference rival

James Neal is gone. We know that. The spot left open accounted for 41 goals. That cost the team $5 million dollars. What would you say to a player that, though a few years older, scored more goals and assists, and has a higher scoring percentage? And, he was part of a team the Nashville Predators beat in the playoffs.

There is such a player. The name? Patrick Eaves. In 2016-17, Eaves finished with 51 points, scoring on 15.3% of his shots. He also plays aggressively on defense with 89 hits, 43 blocks, and 30 takeaways. All are comparable to Neal. Most are better.

Their are two added bonuses. First, he was a Nashville Predator, coming to the team in the same trade that brought Calle Jarnkrok in 2014. He only played 5 games, but the team is aware of what he can do. Additionally, his contract in 2016-17 was a whopping $1 million. Eaves is older, turning 33 back in May, but last season was his best. Paying $3 million a year for what he can do would be a steal.

If things flame out

Should something happen and a contract not work out, there are other options. A perennial 30 point scorer, with a career best of 54, makes Kris Versteeg an ideal option. The 10-year veteran averages 35 points per season; however, that includes two seasons in which Versteeg played 13 or fewer games. Remove those two season, the average points increases to 43.

The Calgary Flames left Versteeg unprotected in the Expansion Draft. Granted, he is an unrestricted free agent. There is a concern, however. The Flame did not control the puck well when Versteeg was on the ice, as his Corsi rating was 47.8%.

But, the contract is a bargin. For a player that averages over 30 points per year, with four years above 40 points, to make $950,000 is a steal. Again, a contract of $2 million is in order here.