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Four Free Agents That Make Sense for Nashville Predators this Summer

By Chad Minton

DALLAS, TEXAS - MAY 23: Ivan Barbashev #49 of the Vegas Golden Knights is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a goal against the Dallas Stars during the first period in Game Three of the Western Conference Final of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center on May 23, 2023 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TEXAS - MAY 23: Ivan Barbashev #49 of the Vegas Golden Knights is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a goal against the Dallas Stars during the first period in Game Three of the Western Conference Final of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center on May 23, 2023 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /
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Alex Kerfoot
(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.

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