Nashville Predators general manager Barry Trotz pushed all of his chips to the middle of the table to begin free agency on Monday.
“We knew once the sun came up a decision would need to be made. There was a lot of teams interested with Nashville being one of them,” Stamkos said. “Later in the morning we narrowed it down and Nashville was the team we decided to sign with. It went fast but we’re excited to be part of this amazing franchise.”
Forward Steven Stamkos highlights the signings as the former Tampa Bay Lightning captain is making the move to Music City on a four-year contract worth $32 million.
He leaves Tampa Bay as their all-time points leader (1,137), goals (555), games played (1,082), and second all-time in assists (588). Since he was drafted Stamkos ranks fourth in points (1,137), 14th in assists (582), second in goals, and second in powerplay goals (214).
Steven Stamkos speaking to Nashville media after signing his new four-year deal on July 1, 2024.
Stamkos said there were three things that stick out to him about deciding on the Predators. One was being a competitive team, two was being committed to winning, and. three being a fit for his family.
“I felt like Nashville as we went through this process hit a lot of those boxes,” Stamkos said. “We tried to gather as much information as we could since we really thought we were going to the market. They were just as interested in me and that’s why it was such a great fit.”
He added how thinking of his family made a difference in where he would spend his future with three kids and a wife.
Thank you Tampa
I don’t have the words yet ….. I will soon .It’s still too early to process. Just wanted everyone to know how thankful we are for 16 years as a bolt.
My family and I are excited for the next chapter….
— Steven Stamkos (@RealStamkos91) July 1, 2024
One thing that made things easier as well was talking to Luke Schenn and his family about the Predators but more importantly Nashville as a city.
“His wife was in constant contact with my wife as soon as she knew Nashville was in the mix,” Stamkos said. “I’ve worked with Trotz as well in regards to Hockey Canada events in the past. I’ve played against some of the great players they have now and have a sense of what they bring on and off the ice.”
Nashville is also bringing in Jonathan Marchessault on a five-year deal worth $27.5 million and defenseman Brady Skjei to a seven-year deal worth $49 million. Altogether the Predators spent $108.5 million on their first three free agents before 11:30 a.m.
Marchessault was Stamkos’ teammate from 2014 to 2016 before he moved to the Florida Panthers. He won a Stanley Cup in 2023 with the Vegas Golden Knights & leaves that organization as their all-time points leader (417) in 514 games.
“There were some rumors Nashville was signing Marchessault and at first I wasn’t sure if that was true. He called me and asked if I was signing in Nashville,” Stamkos said. “I thought he was calling because I signed here and he wanted to as well, and it may not have worked for him. That was a pretty fun surprise and we talked about it briefly on the phone.”
Vegas Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon said late Monday that five years of term for Marchessault was the deal breaker and they weren’t willing to go there at the end of the day.
The veteran was also the Conn Smythe winner in 2023 posting 25 points in 22 games. Marchessault was with Trotz when the Washington Capitals won the Stanley Cup in 2018.
On the blue line, Skjei comes to Nashville as a seasoned veteran who contributes well on special teams; mainly a penalty killer that keeps the front of the net clear.
Since the 2015-16 season, Skjei is 15th in the NHL with 60 even-strength goals. He scored 135 points in 302 games with the Carolina Hurricanes over the course of five seasons. Back with the New York Rangers, he scored 112 points in 307 games.
Skjei has also played in 76 playoff games advancing to the second round five times.
Defenseman Alexandre Carrier is also coming back to the team on a three-year deal worth $11.25 million. He’s been with Nashville for the entirety of his career; Jeremy Lauzon was his linemate the majority of the time during the 23-24 campaign.
NSH signs more depth
-F: Vinnie Hinostroza 2-year, 2-way contract at $775,000
-F: Jake Lucchini 2-year, w-way contract worth $775,000 at the NHL level.
-D: Nick Blankenburg to a 2-year contract worth $775,000 in NHL that’s two-way in 2024-25 &one-way in 2025-26
-G: Matt…
— Nick Kieser
(@KieserNick) July 1, 2024
Restricted Free Agents
Nashville is retaining a few familiar faces as their contracts came to a close today. Forwards Philip Tomasino and Juuso Pärssinen received their qualifying offers.
Defensemen Marc Del Gaizo, Spencer Stastney, and Adam Wilsby got offers as well. Contracts like these can go into the summer until something is agreed upon. Priority was on unrestricted free agents as the market opened.
The following players did not get a qualifying offer from the Predators to kick off the offseason: Gustavs Grigals, Jaret Anderson-Dolan, Wade Allison, & Liam Foudy. Each of them will be on the market to be signed for their next opportunity.
Development Camp
The Predators will be getting their rookies acclimated to their team this week with the players arriving on Monday for physicals.
From Tuesday to Friday, they’ll have practice sessions over at Centennial Sportsplex. To close things out the rookies will have a Future Stars Game over at the Ford Ice Center in Bellevue.
The gold and navy teams will faceoff at 10:30 am, but the time is subject to change the team announced last week.
Follow Nick Kieser on Twitter/X: @KieserNick
Photo courtesy of Nashville Predators
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