Thanks to the salary cap jump, Nashville Predators GM Barry Trotz has gone from having his back against the cap to flush with cash.
How much cash? With just Luke Evangeslista left to sign, the Predators are sitting on just over $10 million in cap space. Vange will probably land somewhere in the $3 to $4 million range, so let's conservatively put the final total somewhere around $6.5 million.
You might be thinking, what good is money that isn't being spent? Why not use every available dollar to try and help the team?
Here's how the Nashville Predators can use their remaining cap space this upcoming season
You saw a great example of why not last season. The Predators spent to the cap and were left in no man's land when it came to trying to make changes to the roster. Instead of having leverage and cap room to make player deals, they were picking up waiver wire players and losing a few of their own along the way.
Now, the Predators can, in theory, breathe easy knowing that if there is a deal to be made, they've got the cap to accommodate it without having to move money if they aren't inclined to.
Sure, We Can Eat A Contract
In order to move Mattias Ekholm, Gustav Nyquist, and Colton Sissons, the Nashville Predators had to eat some money on their contracts. All three guys had contracts big enough that the Preds eating a little bit of money was a necessity to make deals done, especially with shorter-term deals like Nyquist and Sissons.
Now the tables have turned. The Predators can acquire a player carrying a $5 or $6 million price tag if another team is willing to slice off an extra million or so. This flexibility will make them more likely to be active at the trade deadline and more able to make a splashy maneuver.
A Lingering RFA
For whatever reason, the Anaheim Ducks can't seem to get Mason McTavish on the books. The Nashville Predators could shoot him an offer sheet, but even if they spent all they've got, there is a chance that Anaheim might match.
McTavish is a budding star, and the Ducks shouldn't want to give him up. With Trevor Zegras out, he's poised for an even bigger role. Now, what the Predators could do is make a move for his rights, and then use their budget to extend him.
If the Predators throw Luke Evangelista, and picks, at the Ducks, maybe they can squeeze McTavish from them, and then they'll throw, say $8 million at him and possibly have a franchise cornerstone.
Nothing, Because They Need It For Next Year
Right now, the Predators will have 7 UFA player contracts, and then 3 RFAs as well. We've mentioned that Justin Barron is playing for his NHL future, and if he secures it, then he'll need an offer. The twins (using it till it catches on) in Fedor Svechkov and Zachary L'Heureux will need new deals, and if they take steps up this season, it'll be pricey.
Then you've got Michael McCarron, Nick Blankenburg, Andreas Englund, Jordan Oesterle, Cole Smith, Erik Haula, and Michael Bunting, who are all going to be UFAs at the end of the year. Now, some of these guys won't make it through the season, some might get signed, and some will end up just walking away, but Trotz now can use the option of an in-season contract extension as an award. He can also save as much of this cap space to roll it over to this year and then strike at a hot market with oddles of cash.
Right now, the Predators have a balanced checkbook. We'll see how long it lasts.