The Nashville Predators are notorious for handing out questionable deals. We saw what damage could be done in 2024 when then General Manager Barry Trotz signed three players to expensive, long-term contracts. The disastrous overpayments are often focused on more than a some of the team's best contracts, however.
A rising youth core and locker room culture could continue to add respectable, team-friendly signings. Heading into next season, the Predators got a mix of good and bad; let's take a look into the top three of both hands.
The good
HM: Mavrik Bourque (6x5.5), Matthew Wood (3x.95) and Nick Perbix (2x2.75)
Ryan O'Reilly (4x4.5)
This is without a doubt not only the best contract on the Predators roster, but also one of the best across the entire NHL. Before joining Nashville in 2023, Ryan O'Reilly won a Stanley Cup and took home the Conn Smythe Trophy and Frank J. Selke in 2018-19. In his first year with the Predators, he immediately began impressing, scoring 26 goals and 69 points. Despite a weak roster in 2024-25, O'Reilly still performed, posting another 20-goal campaign.
Last season was the second best of his career statistically, scoring 25 goals and 74 points in 81 games. He has consistently been the best center for the team and one of its best players overall. To get someone as productive as him for the price of what is now a middle-six forward is a steal. This is by far the best move every made under Trotz.
Luke Evangelista (2x3)
Luke Evangelista emerged as the breakout star for the Predators last season. After being a reliable 30-point scorer for them in the middle six, he took a major step in 2025-26, scoring 12 goals and tallying 44 assists for 56 points. He played a big part in the success of Nashville's top two statistical lines, feeding the puck with precision to its top scorers Steven Stamkos and Filip Forsberg.
After a long negotiation last offseason over a new contract, the Predators are reaping the benefits of getting him to sign with a $3 million average-annual-value. He will need a new contract in 2027, and we can expect that to be way more expensive, especially if he replicates or increases his numbers from last season. For a near first line winger, this contract at the moment is one of the best.
Justus Annunen (2x1.25)
One contract that often goes unnoticed is goalie Justus Annunen's. He posted a .907 SV% and 2.68 GAA and even secured the team's first shutout in over a year. The New York Times reported in 2025 that the average AAV of a backup goalie is $1.5 million or below, and that number will only go up as the salary cap rises. With the way Annunen played in the second half of the season, this contract can potentially become a steal if he can emerge as a 1B in the near future. It's also a good contract for trade purposes since a lot of teams don't like to gamble on big money in the crease, making Annunen a good name to pick up.
The bad
HM: Nicolas Hague (4x5.5), Jack Drury (5x4.5) and Roman Josi (8x9.059)
Brady Skjei (7x7)
This is by far the worst contract on the Predators right now. Don't get me wrong, Brady Skjei is a good defender, but $7 million AAV on a seven-year term at 32 years old is kind of insane. He was on Nashville's most successful offensive d-pairing alongside Roman Josi, producing an xGoals for of 21.3, three more than second place, however. Thanks to a shift away from stay-at-home defending like he was doing in Carolina, Skjei has struggled to produce fit the system and play the same defensively. His extensive trade clause makes it almost impossible to trade him anytime soon.
Jonathan Marchessault (5x5.5)
Jonathan Marchessault was coming off an impressive 42-goal season with Vegas when he decided to test free agency after not getting offered the term he preferred. When he signed with the Predators in 2024, many thought we'd see him replicate that production, especially with the team's signing of his former teammate Stamkos. Unfortunately for both Marchy and Nashville, no dreams were fulfilled. He scored 21 goals and 56 points in his first season with the Predators which was a massive step down for the former Conn Smythe Trophy winner.
Last season we saw his numbers take an even further dip, putting up only 12 goals and 31 points. For someone of his skill, most expected way more results. His $5.5 million AAV is aging pretty poorly considering some players on the team who aren't paid as much are producing better. His trade clause also makes it really hard to get a trade going, and his decreasing trade value only adds to the issue.
Steven Stamkos (4x8)
Stamkos revived his goalscoring ways last season after potting 42. He arrived in Nashville following an above-average season to his standards, recording 81 points in his final year with Tampa Bay. In his first season with the Predators, he only scored 27 goals and 53 points, the fifth worst of his career. A sniper getting paid $8 million a season shouldn't be only scoring 27 goals. He came back last season, but this contract can still be considered in the team's top three worst deals purely based on immovability.
He has a full no-movement-clause which practically keeps him locked up in the Predators organization until either he opens it up or his contract ends. If he has another 40-goal outing this season, his contract will certainly come off this end of the list.
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