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Nashville Predators face major challenges with Seattle joining league

By Corey Francis

SEA ISLAND, GA - DECEMBER 04: (L to R) Adrian Hanauer, NHL Seattle franchise Vice-Chairman David Wright, Jay Deutsch, Jerry Bruckheimer, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, NHL Seattle franchise majority owner David Bonderman, Len Potter, and NHL Seattle franchise President and CEO Tod Leiweke pose for a photo during the NHL Board of Governors Meeting on December 4, 2018 in Sea Island, Georgia. The NHL Board of Governors approved expanding to Seattle, making the franchise the 32nd team in the league. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)
SEA ISLAND, GA - DECEMBER 04: (L to R) Adrian Hanauer, NHL Seattle franchise Vice-Chairman David Wright, Jay Deutsch, Jerry Bruckheimer, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, NHL Seattle franchise majority owner David Bonderman, Len Potter, and NHL Seattle franchise President and CEO Tod Leiweke pose for a photo during the NHL Board of Governors Meeting on December 4, 2018 in Sea Island, Georgia. The NHL Board of Governors approved expanding to Seattle, making the franchise the 32nd team in the league. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – NOVEMBER 29: Miikka Salomaki #20 and Juuse Saros #74 of the Nashville Predators prepare for an NHL against the Arizona Coyotes at Bridgestone Arena on November 29, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – NOVEMBER 29: Miikka Salomaki #20 and Juuse Saros #74 of the Nashville Predators prepare for an NHL against the Arizona Coyotes at Bridgestone Arena on November 29, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images) /

The Roster

The Nashville Predators have decisions to make. Very tough decisions. Last time around, they elected to protect eight skaters and a goalie. It only meant losing James Neal, a player who was not likely to stay around long-term. With four key defensemen, it made sense to protect eight total skaters. This time around, it will not be so clear.

Between now and 2021, the Predators will have several players become free agents. Currently, the only players on the 2021-22 roster are Ryan Johansen, Calle Jarnkrok, Kyle Turris, Filip Forsberg, Viktor Arvidsson, P.K. Subban, Mattias Ekholm, and Ryan Ellis. These eight players are worth protecting alone.

Neither Pekka Rinne or Juuse Saros will be under contract, but Saros will be an RFA after the 2020-21 season. This means Saros may automatically be exposed in the Expansion Draft.

The problem comes in when you add in players who are not under contract for the 2021-22 season. Here are the players who will be either UFA or RFA each season.

2019: Ryan Hartman, Kevin Fiala, Rocco Grimaldi, Zac Rinaldo (UFA), Colton Sissons. Anthony Bitetto (UFA).

2020: Craig Smith, Austin Watson, Mikka Salomaki, Frederick Gaudreau, Roman Josi, Dan Hamhuis, Yannick Weber, Matt Irwin (All UFAs).

2021: Nick Bonino (UFA), Eeli Tolvanen, Pekka Rinne (UFA), Juuse Saros.

As you can see, there are major decisions to make for the Predators before the Expansion Draft in 2021. Certainly, we would like to see most – if not all – these players stay with the Predators. The biggest name on this list is Roman Josi. Can they afford him or will he walk away from the team for more money? His signing will force the hand of the team in who they protect.

Add to this Smith, Fiala, Tolvanen, Hartman, and Bonino, you can see the issue the team will have in 2021.

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