There's very little time left for the Nashville Predators and RFA Philip Tomasino to come to an agreement before the opening of training camp next week.
Tomasino is currently listed on the training camp roster, which will have it's first organized practice on September 19. Many startling lineup projections have Tomasino expected to be an extra forward, but he of course would have something to say about that with how he performs in training camp.
Many are probably wondering why this is dragging out to the final days, and I'm right there with you. Juuso Parssinen was just re-signed to a one-year deal, and he's on a one-way contract. He looks like the safest best to be the 12th forward in the starting lineup, with the other 11 forwards looking like sure bets to be starters in the season opener against the Dallas Stars on October 9.
Tomasino doesn't have a clear role in Nashville Predators future even if he re-signs
This might be the source of Tomasino's reluctancy to re-sign with the Predators. He doesn't like the thought of going into another season where his role isn't clearly defined within the organization, and that I can understand.
At the same time, Tomasino has come under criticism for not playing at the required intensity level that Head Coach Andrew Brunette wants of the young and gifted offensive playmaker. The raw talent has never been in question, but if the Tomasino and the Predators move on from each other, then who will move up and take the extra forward spot on the NHL roster?
If you can get Tomasino on another one-year deal, then you absolutely go for it and hope he just takes off this season and leaves the Predators front office no doubt but to commit to him on a longer term.
Something tells me that the term might be the hold up in all of this. It's possible that the Predators are seeking a one-year prove it deal, just like what Parssinen is getting, and that Tomasino would rather test the free agency market and bet on himself.
Now of course they could announce something at the very last moment and Tomasino is just waiting it out and he'll eventually cave.
There's even been a few trade rumblings out there surrounding Tomasino, but it's all pretty much just been speculation. Nothing concrete that we know of, but it will be a shame if it comes to light down the road that Tomasino could've been traded and Barry Trotz passed on it.
What are the Predators' options for extra forwards to replace Tomasino at NHL level?
First and foremost, the Predators have 21 of their 23 roster spots filled right now, not including Tomasino. If Tomasino is re-signed, that would put them at 22. You only have to carry a minimum of 20 active roster players, so even if Tomasino isn't re-signed, the Predators don't have to call up another forward.
With that said, you would ideally like to have at last one extra forward on your active roster. The Predators have the extra defenseman already with seven on the active roster currently.
Looking at the prospect pipeline among the forwards, you have plenty of talent that's gradually getting closer to being NHL-ready, but no one that you want to rush into it too soon and risk damaging their confidence. Not to mention, it's not beneficial for a prospect to be riding the bench every night when that player could be playing top line minutes for the Milwaukee Admirals.
The top forward prospects of the pipeline include Joakim Kemell, Fedor Svechkov, Joakim Kemell and Reid Schaefer. All are waivers exempt, meaning they can move from the NHL to the AHL without being claimed by another team on waivers.
However, again, I don't it would be beneficial to any of them to start the regular season off sitting on the bench as the extra forward in what would be Tomasino's place if he does end up accepting an offer from the Predators before next week.
Kiefer Bellows could be a possibility to move into Tomasino's extra forward spot to start the season. He was signed as a free agent this past offseason to a two-way deal at $775,000. He was the 19th-overall draft pick in 2016 and has 28 points in 95 NHL games.
Another reason to think about a player like Bellows being an option as an extra forward, at least to open the season, is he's 26-years-old and has enough experience to see what you have in him here in Nashville. Who knows, he could perform well in a rotational role in the bottom-six.
Furthermore, the risk wouldn't be too high to place on Bellows on waivers. He could be claimed, and even if he was, it's not the end of the world.
The only other option I see is the Predators going free agency shopping at the last minute and getting a newcomer into training camp to see what they have quickly. As you would suspect, there's not a lot out there in terms of remaining free agents.
This is why the top preferred result is to get Tomasino re-signed. The Predators have an estimated $1.495 million in available cap space according to PuckPedia. Enough room to negotiate a deal for Tomasino and avoid having to scramble this late in the offseason for a replacement.
If not Tomasino, I'd give Bellows a shot unless someone else shows out in training camp and earns it. In the end, we're talking about an extra forward spot, not a spot that's going to be getting regular starts and heavy minutes in the lineup.