Nashville Predators: Realistic Free Agent Defensemen to Watch

Juuse Saros #74 of the Nashville Predators is congratulated by Ryan Ellis #4 after defeating the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-3 in overtime at Nationwide Arena on May 3, 2021 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
Juuse Saros #74 of the Nashville Predators is congratulated by Ryan Ellis #4 after defeating the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-3 in overtime at Nationwide Arena on May 3, 2021 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
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Cody Ceci, Pittsburgh Penguins, 2020-21 Salary: $1.25M

Alright, I’ve got one more realistic and moderately cheap free agent defenseman to look at; Cody Ceci, currently of the despised Pittsburgh Penguins.

Ceci once had a pretty bright future and expectations of being a regular top-pairing defenseman. He’s clearly not that anymore, but I don’t believe the book should be written on him yet, either.

Assuming the Predators lose a player or two out of their defensive corps this offseason, then they’re going to need to explore free agents defensemen out there. Ceci is a player that could fit nicely for them as a bottom pairing player.

Ceci is another “defense first” type of player that’s not going to wow you with flashy offensive play, and that’s just fine with me. I need smart defensive players in this role who still have room for growth.

At just 27-years-old, Ceci will be looking for a decent raise that Pittsburgh might not be willing to pay to keep him. This is another free agent I expect to be on the open market and land in a new spot for 2021-22.