Four Free Agents That Make Sense for Nashville Predators this Summer

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There’s a lot of uncertainty surrounding just how the Nashville Predators will approach this offseason as General Manager Barry Trotz transitions into the role from the franchise’s only other front office leader, David Poile.

The Predators have gradually shifted into a much younger roster since the 2023 trade deadline that saw Mattias Ekholm, Nino Niederreiter, Mikael Granlund and Tanner Jeannot dealt away.

Additional injuries to more veterans forced youth and inexperience into the mix, and it was a valiant effort to only come up three points shy of the Winnipeg Jets for wildcard spot.

When thinking of that performance down the stretch and how the team didn’t just fold despite the adversity, it makes you wonder how much that weighs on Trotz when thinking of how he’ll handle the 2023 NHL free agency market.

To be clear, Nashville isn’t a team that’s going to be able to swing for the fences, nor should they. Top free agents like Michael Bunting (TOR), J.T. Compher (COL), Patrick Kane (NYR), Ryan O’Reilly (TOR), and Tyler Bertuzzi (BOS) will require long-term investment and make things even more complicated for the alignment of an already set roster.

This is really about Trotz identifying a player that can boost the mini rebuild and hopefully be around for a while.

Let’s take a look at four free agents who could upgrade the Nashville Predators and not break the bank, either.

Connor Brown, Washington Capitals

Age: 29 Position: LW 2022-23 AAV: $3.6M

Although the Nashville Predators shouldn’t be heavy buyers in free agency, as a general manager you’re always looking to see what’s out there and if anything can make your team better. Connor Brown sticks out as a low-risk, but potentially high-reward free agent.

Brown came via trade to the Washington Capitals but missed most of 2022-23 with an injury and never got to show what he could provide.

Before the trade to the Capitals, Brown posted a 39-point season for the Ottawa Senators that included 37 blocks. His career high is 43 points set in 2019-20 and has been a consistent depth player in the NHL going back to his rookie year in 2016-17.

Brown is a two-way player that can fit the Predators system rather effortlessly and find himself in a third line role right out of training camp.

Daily Faceoff has Brown ranked as their No.20 free agent and project his next contract to come in around four years for $3.3 million. Four years might be longer than Trotz would be willing to commit to, but that AAV is low risk for what you could be getting.

Brown makes a lot of sense if the Nashville Predators want to add at least one moderate free agent this summer. Depth and a two-way player for your bottom six is something the Predators could use an upgrade in.

(Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

Alex Kerfoot, Toronto Maple Leafs

Age: 28 Position: C/LW/RW 2022-23 AAV: $3.5M

The Toronto Maple Leafs have a ton to figure out this offseason, including finding a new general manager first. They have 10 unrestricted free agents and will be a main focal point when the market opens up.

One Leafs free agent that might be a match for what the Predators are looking for is Alex Kerfoot. A 28-year-old veteran who plays an all-around game that can help solidify the Predators’ depth concerns. And again, for not a hefty price or high risk.

Kerfoot has been a regular on the NHL level since 2017-18, originally being drafted by the New Jersey Devils at 150th overall, but making his NHL debut with the Colorado Avalanche and notching 43 points in his rookie campaign.

This is another possible addition for the Predators that can add some extra veteran experience to their bottom-six. It doesn’t take away elevated minutes from the younger players that you want to keep growing, like Cody Glass, Tommy Novak, Philip Tomasino and Luke Evangelista.

Kerfoot isn’t a prolific offensive driver, but he does everything fairly decent. He blocks shots, makes the smart play and chips in valuable minutes on the penalty kill. Things the Predators could use more of moving forward. And he’s versatile at either center or wing.

I can’t imagine the Leafs retaining Kerfoot, and the Predators could easily be his third NHL team he logs an NHL game for.

Jesper Fast, Carolina Hurricanes

Age: 31 Position: RW 2022-23 AAV: $2M

You might be sensing a theme here; the Nashville Predators need to be on the lookout for depth help in their forward core with two-way veterans. Jesper Fast fits that need.

Fast is probably a player the Carolina Hurricanes don’t necessarily want to part ways with, but just don’t have cap space to retain him. They have a lot of cap space, but also a lot of unrestricted free agents to sort out.

The Hurricanes have two goalies, Frederick Andersen and Antti Raanta, and also some other vital star players like Max Pacioretty, Jordan Staal and Shayne Gostisbehere.

With so many free agents to re-sign, Fast could conceivably be on the outside looking in and on the market. The Predators should definitely inquire adding the 31-year-old winger who can provide a little offense to your bottom six, play on the penalty kill and play that physical style that the Predators love to have.

Fast is only projected according to Daily Faceoff to get around a $2.3M AAV contract this summer, give or take. Worth taking a flyer on to place on your third line if you’re the Predators.

These previous three players (Brown, Kerfoot, Fast) would give competition to current bottom-six Predators players like Yakov Trenin, Cole Smith, Kiefer Sherwood and Mark Jankowski.

Ivan Barbashev, Vegas Golden Knights

Age: 27 Position: LW 2022-23 AAV: $2.25M

Out of the four on this list, Ivan Barbashev would be the top prize if the Predators could add him. It’s going to take more of an investment with Barbashev currently playing huge playoff minutes for the Golden Knights as they’re one win away from the Stanley Cup Final.

The problem for the Golden Knights, as much as they’d like to probably keep Barbashev, is they have minimal cap space. Only a projected $3.462 million available as of now, with Barbashev earning himself a decent pay raise.

The Golden Knights have their young and star-studded goaltender Adin Hill also as a UFA this summer. Can they keep both without pulling off some sort of a trade to shed some cap?

Maybe the Golden Knights crunch some numbers to make it happen, but if they don’t, I’m on the phone in the Predators front office seeing if we can work something out.

Barbashev is in the peak age range at age 27, and has the ability to really take off offensively for years to come. He put up 60 points in his last full season with the St. Louis Blues, and combined for 45 points between the Blues and Golden Knights this past regular season.

In the current playoffs, Barbashev has 10 points in 14 games and a game-winning goal in the opening round series against the Winnipeg Jets.

Next. Pointless for Predators to String Along John Hynes Any Further. dark

With the current cap space the Predators have, they can make a move for a player like Barbashev who isn’t going to break the bank, but can’t be retained for a cap strapped team like Vegas.

Maybe the biggest eye opener to Barbashev’s game; the dude will absolutely rock you on the boards. Racking up 182 hits as a forward to go along with his nifty offensive game is a one-two punch that Trotz should be intrigued by.

Barbashev would actually have a chance to push for second line minutes if he were to join the Nashville Predators lineup in 2023-24, and I wouldn’t be against that at all.

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