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Five 2024 Free Agent Forwards Nashville Predators should target on July 1

By Max Greenberg

May 4, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Jake DeBrusk (74) shoots the puck towards Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov (35) during the first period in game seven of the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
May 4, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Jake DeBrusk (74) shoots the puck towards Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov (35) during the first period in game seven of the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports / Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
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Mar 14, 2024; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Boston Bruins forward Jake DeBrusk (74) plays the puck during the third period of the game against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2024; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Boston Bruins forward Jake DeBrusk (74) plays the puck during the third period of the game against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports / Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

Jake DeBrusk

If there is any free agent forward this year who checks every box as a fit for the Predators, it is DeBrusk. He is the youngest player on this list at 27 years old, and has every quality that Trotz and Brunette want in their guys.

He works hard in front of the net to make plays and is physical, while also being speedy and effective in transition. He has a decent shot and is also analytically inclined, which is great news for his potential because he has never averaged over 16:50 per game in a season, and very likely would eclipse that on the Predators.

DeBrusk's contract situation has been murky for a few years and at one point, he had requested a trade from the Boston Bruins.

He would later re-sign on a bridge deal as a restricted free agent and rescind his trade request, but there has been no indication that the two sides are nearing a resolution. DeBrusk and the Bruins will almost certainly part ways this offseason, and the Predators could take advantage of his availability.

He definitely will not be super cheap to sign, but he obviously is not a headliner, and just had a bit of a down year in terms of his base stats and analytics. Although he did just have a strong performance in the playoffs, so that may ultimately justify him getting the type of contract he is looking for.

Plus, him being over two full years out from turning 30 will help him out when it comes to how much money he could demand in the offseason. Either way, it will be nothing that Trotz and the Predators cannot afford, and DeBrusk is the type of player who would make sense to give that money to.

The team desperately needs to improve the second line and upper middle six if they want a better chance to go far in the playoffs, and of all guys on this list, DeBrusk has the best combination of being a current upgrade and having room for future improvement.

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