Nashville Predators: Key Free Agents The Predators Should Pursue

(Photo by Rocky W. Widner/NHL/Getty Images)
(Photo by Rocky W. Widner/NHL/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images)
(Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images)

Daniel Winnik is a meat and potatoes kind of player

Every team in the NHL could use Daniel Winnik on their team. I still cannot believe that Winnik hasn’t been signed yet. But other teams idiocy could be the Nashville Predators gain. Winnik put up 12 goals and 25 points in 72 games while playing third line minutes. He’s an average third line scorer who generates shots at an above average rate. But he excels in keeping the puck out of his zone. He suppresses shots at an elite level but does so against weaker competition.

He’d be a wonderful addition to the third line. Winnik can play any style head coach Peter Laviolette needs him to play. He kills penalties, puts up points, keeps the puck out of his zone, and can bang bodies. He’d be more expensive than other UFAs but he’s the best free agent left. I’d expect him to make 2.5 million for two years.