NHL Free Agency: Grading Every Offseason Addition for the Predators

By Chad Minton | Oct 15, 2020

OTTAWA, ON - OCTOBER 4: Mark Borowiecki #74 of the Ottawa Senators walks the red carpet prior to the start of their home opener against the Chicago Blackhawks at Canadian Tire Centre on October 4, 2018 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images) /

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Mark Borowiecki, Defenseman

This move addressed an immediate need for the Predators which is shoring up their defensive core behind Norris Trophy winner Roman Josi and Ryan Ellis.

What this move does is return some toughness and grit to the third defensive pairing, while also providing some veteran leadership and intangibles. What it doesn’t do is bring any kind of offensive punch.

I aslo wouldn’t be shocked if Borowiecki gets a spot on the second pairing with Mattias Ekholm, moving Dante Fabbro down as he continues to round out his game.

You’d prefer to be getting a player that can at least have some sort of offensive skillset, but that’s just not Borowiecki’s game, and that’s just fine considering what the Predators really need him to do.

The Predators are getting a leader with this move, and someone who is going to push back physically on teams that try to impose their wills on the Predators. He’ll kill penalties off, stand up for teammates and provide some bone-crushing hits.

Borowiecki is coming to the Predators at a relatively modest deal of two years for $4 million. I can live with that deal, and it gives the Predators a solid foundation to work with now on defense.

Grade: B

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