Nashville Predators Free Agency Review: Bring on the Rebuild

Despite having the cap space to pull off a major free agency addition, the Nashville Predators have been mainly frugal with their offseason free agency transactions so far.

It’s something this franchise couldn’t push away any longer, and now it appears they’re embracing that by retaining some important young players, while also avoiding another long-term contract that could blow up in their face.

Maybe you were waiting on the big splash from the Predators, but so far this has been a safe approach to free agency. It’s going to take development and strides from their youth this upcoming season to avoid the lottery.

Nashville Predators retain some key players

The Predators’ biggest move this offseason would have to be the re-signing of Mikael Granlund for four years, $20M. A move that took almost all of us by surprise as we heard talks had broken down just hours before.

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You can argue that $5M per year is a little high for Granlund, but he’s arguably the best offensive forwards on this team aside from Filip Forsberg, so they really needed him back. I like this move, although it’s not one that’s going to raise the confidence too high for 2021-22.

The best moves that the Predators have made are the new contracts they reached with Tanner Jeannot and Mathieu Olivier. Two vital pieces to the Predators depth, and players that fit perfectly into the physical brand of defensive hockey we expect the Predators to play in under Head Coach John Hynes.

Jeannot is coming back on a two-year, $1.6M extension while Olivier got himself a two-year, $1.5M contract. Both of these contracts are low-risk and well worth their value for two players that will be critical during this rebuild period.

The Predators have also managed to re-sign some important prospects for the Milwaukee Admirals, including Anthony Richard, Michael McCarron and Frederic Allard.

Additionally, the Predators have brought in a couple new guys with two-way contracts to add to their minor league depth with 31-year-old defenseman Matt Tennyson, who has spent the vast majority of his hockey career this past decade in the AHL.

Right winger Matt Luff is the other newcomer to come on a two-way contract, which interests me a lot more than the Tennyson addition. Luff just turned 24-years-old and has 64 games of NHL experience for the LA Kings. He managed 24 points in 30 games for the AHL’s Ontario Reign in 2019-20.

Answering the backup goaltender question

The Nashville Predators also made the very modest signing at goaltender of veteran David Rittich to be the back-up goaltender to Juuse Saros.

With the Pekka Rinne retirement, the immediate question was who will the back-up goaltender end up being? There were plenty of options out there to shop around for, and even Connor Ingram was a possibility to get a promotion from the AHL to the NHL level.

This is another decent and smart addition to the Predators. Rittich isn’t signing on in Nashville to be a long-term starter. He’s on a one-year deal for a very modest $1.25M, and he’s definitely a worthy spot starter when Saros needs a rest.

Rittich has built most of his NHL career with the Calgary Flames, and while with them put up numbers that are worthy of being a dependable backup. He compiled a .908 save percentage and a 2.83 GAA, while also posting four shutouts while with the Flames.

Speaking of Saros, some unsettling news is going on with him as he has sought arbitration as a restricted free agent, per Adam Vingan of The Athletic:

This isn’t a good look for the Predators, and they need to get it settled quickly. This cannot linger deep into August. Saros has earned himself a contract north of $5M per year, so it’s going to be a little nerve-racking to see how long this goes on for.

The Predators have overall had a safe, but effective offseason so far. They haven’t made any moves that should boost your confidence in the immediate future, but I do feel like they’re gradually building a solid foundation again. It’s going to take time, and development.

A lot of fans just don’t have the patience anymore with General Manager David Poile, so it’s understandable that many are scoffing at all of the moves just mentioned.

Now could there be another move up Poile’s sleeve, and a major one at that? Absolutely. I never count out Poile to do something unexpected, and I think we all know what elite player I’m referring to. It’s Jack Eichel, who everyone wants to be rescued from the grips of the Buffalo Sabres.

Be that as it may, it’s going to be a gradual, and possibly slow, climb back to Stanley Cup contention. Embrace the excitement of new players getting opportunities to elevate their careers with the Nashville Predators in 2021-22.