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Nashville Predators: The case for Viktor Arvidsson

By Corey Francis

NASHVILLE, TN - MAY 22: Viktor Arvidsson #38 of the Nashville Predators skates against the Anaheim Ducks in Game Six of the Western Conference Final during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on May 22, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - MAY 22: Viktor Arvidsson #38 of the Nashville Predators skates against the Anaheim Ducks in Game Six of the Western Conference Final during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on May 22, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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His contribution was surprising to the Nashville Predators, and it came at the best time for him. What type of contract is Arvidsson worth?

Where did that come from? In 62 games in the previous two seasons, he scored 16 total points. That is a far cry of the 61 he attained in 2016-17. It is no doubt the Nashville Predators struck gold in the fourth round of the 2014 Entry Draft. Now, they must figure out how much Viktor Arvidsson is worth.

That will be no easy task. The young winger not only led the team in goals, he topped the NHL in short-handed goals. Furthermore, his performance in playoffs prove his play is no fluke. With 13 points, and a nearly 3 to 1 takeaway-giveaway ratio, Arvidsson is no longer a promising prospect. He is a NHL star in the making.

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The question remains, however, how much Arvidsson is worth the Predators in terms of contract. The restricted free agent was provided a qualifying offer sheet, which equals 110% of his salary given that he earned $575,000 last year. The 10 percent increase is not enough, is it?

Not even close.

Look no further than the Predators’ contracts. Ryan Johansen, another restricted free, agent is coming off a 61-point season as well. While his new contract is still being discussed, his $4 million annual cap hit is a good starting point for Arvidsson. The only problem in the comparison is the gap in experience; two years for Arvidsson versus six for Johansen. The center for the line named “JoFA” proved his worth over several years, ranking in the top 20 in points regularly.

Then you have the third cog in the JoFA wheel, Filip Forsberg. Coming into the 2015-16 season, Forsberg played briefly in two seasons, earning 7 points, and then a full 2014-15 season scoring 63 points. Sound familiar? He followed that up with 64 points in 2015-16, the year of his restricted free agency. That earned him a six-year, $36 million contract.

Granted, Forsberg had one more season of success under his belt prior to re-signing. Still, going into arbitration later this month, Arvidsson has evidence on his side to earn a big payday. With approximately $19 million in cap space, and the Predators need to sign Johansen, Arvidsson and other players, the space is not a major concern.

Next: Enough star power to win the Stanley Cup

Regardless, a contract of $5 million or so may not be out of the question.

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