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Predators: Looking at the Biggest Unrestricted Free Agents Next Offseason

By Chad Minton

NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 19: Craig Smith #15 of the Nashville Predators skates against the Winnipeg Jets at Bridgestone Arena on November 19, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 19: Craig Smith #15 of the Nashville Predators skates against the Winnipeg Jets at Bridgestone Arena on November 19, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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SAN JOSE, CA – NOVEMBER 09: Nashville Predators defenseman Yannick Weber (7) carries the puck during the San Jose Sharks game versus the Nashville Predators on November 9, 2019, at SAP Center at San Jose in San Jose, CA.” (Photo by Matt Cohen/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA – NOVEMBER 09: Nashville Predators defenseman Yannick Weber (7) carries the puck during the San Jose Sharks game versus the Nashville Predators on November 9, 2019, at SAP Center at San Jose in San Jose, CA.” (Photo by Matt Cohen/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The others

Yannick Weber is another defenseman that’s due to become an unrestricted free agent for the Predators next offseason. He’s also not appeared to be the answer to fixing the third defensive pairing. Him and Matt Irwin have been interchangeable in that role, but Weber has played three more games up to this point. I could see Weber returning over Irwin or Hamhuis, but only for really cheap and short-term.

Daniel Carr is in the midst of his first season with the Predators. He’s always been a player that flourishes on the minor league level, but can’t translate it to the NHL level. He was the AHL MVP last season.

Carr has appeared in eight games for the Predators this season and has failed to register a point. He’s even seen some quality time on the second line. His ice time has been minimal, averaging just under 11 minutes per game. He just turned 28-years-old, so he’s running out of time to really stick on the NHL and avoid becoming a career minor league journeyman.

Then you have Miikka Salomaki, a player who has been with the Predators since 2014-15 and got a contract extension back in March 2016. He’s always managed to stick around on the roster on the fourth line, but now appears to be the end for the 26-year-old.

light. Hot. P.K. Subban Gets Ready for Big Return to Nashville

Salomaki gets a lot of criticism, but you do have to admire his toughness, grit and willingness to lay out big hits despite being a little undersized. He’s only appeared in five games this season and is seeing a lot of time with the Milwaukee Admirals. Perhaps they retain him for a very cheap and low-risk price, but that seems unlikely to me.

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