Nashville Predators: Realistic Free Agent Defensemen to Watch

Erik Gustaffson, Montreal Canadiens, 2020-21 Salary: $3M

Let’s talk about a player who is currently playing in the Stanley Cup Final, and that’s 29-year-old defenseman Erik Gustaffson.

It hasn’t been a great showing from the Canadiens in the finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning, and now Gustaffson is reportedly going to be replaced in the starting lineup for more speed, as reported by NHL.com.

Nashville Predators

Gustaffson’s time with Montreal has been brief with just five regular season games, but also another 16 playoff games. He’s put up just three points in the playoffs so far, and might not see the ice again after being replaced ahead of tonight’s game.

This almost certainly looks like he’ll be on the open market and will land with a new team for next season. Getting replaced in the starting lineup in an elimination game doesn’t usually bode too well for your future with that team.

Be that as it may, Gustaffson could end up being a decent replacement for the Predators if a couple defensemen of their own are lost this offseason, most notably Erik Gudbranson and Luca Sbisa. Sbisa was a complete non-factor for the Predators appearing in just one game, and Gudbranson hopefully won’t return, either.

Again, I think there are plenty of current prospects who deserve starts for the Predators next season, but adding another veteran might be needed for depth purposes. Gustaffson is a possibility to explore.