Nashville Predators: Top Five Forward Free Agent Targets This Summer
As the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs comes to an end, it is very clear that the Nashville Predators are not as close to being a Cup contender as some want to believe.
Luckily for General Manager David Poile and company, this summer’s free agent class has plenty top-6 forward options to upgrade the Predators roster.
If Poile meant what he said in the season-ending presser, there will be some moves made this summer, as he tries to give recently extended head coach John Hynes a team that can actually compete in the playoffs.
The first order of business will certainly be re-signing the franchise’s leading goal scorer, Filip Forsberg. Forsberg will command a big salary, and deservedly so, as he had 42 goals and 42 assists in 69 games this season. His extension will likely come between $8.5m and $9.5m per season.
That cap hit would leave the Preds with between $15m-$16m, with Luke Kunin, Yakov Trenin, Cody Glass and Jeremy Lauzon as the major RFAs to re-sign. After those are taken care of, there should be around $9-10m left for Poile to improve the team through free agency and possibly trades.