NHL Free Agency: Grading Every Offseason Addition for the Predators

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)
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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Nick Cousins, Forward

Again, it’s maybe not the big free agency splash some fans were hoping for, but I don’t mind the move. It’s another low-risk move that will boost the depth of the roster and provide some defensive help for the forwards.

Cousins gets a two-year deal worth $3 million, which continues the league-wide trend of short-term deals as teams prepare for next year’s expansion draft.

What Cousins is going to bring of value is more defensive presence, forechecking and hitting. But his value doesn’t stop there. He can get involved in the offense as well, and also figures to find a nice role in the bottom-six for a young Predators squad.

Much like their other free agent signing, Cousins isn’t going to necessarily transform the outlook of the team next season. But as a collective group of signings to go along with the top stars of the team and the upcoming prospects, I remain cautiously optimistic that this team can remain a fringe playoff contender.

I’m looking for Cousins to, at the very least, to maintain his career trajectory offensively by registering around 25-30 points and just providing solid depth minutes to take pressure off the top two lines.

Grade: C+