After playing in 23 games this season with the Nashville Predators, defenseman Adam Wilsby signed a two-year extension on Sunday worth $1.55 million after being awarded a one-year deal ($775,000) over the summer.
Wilsby’s new contract will be two-way in year one and then one-way in year two. He’ll be a restricted free agent by the end of his new deal in 2027.
According to Puck Pedia Wilsby’s minor league salary is currently $90,000, he’ll get a raise to $250,000 next season in his fourth year of playing in North America.
Nashville gets the 24-year-old at a bargain after being a solid addition to the blue line after being called up to the NHL. He only skated in 13 games for the Milwaukee Admirals down in the AHL posting five points.
According to a source, the new deal was in the works for the “last couple of weeks” to lock in the young European D-man. Wilsby joins Roman Josi and Brady Skjei as the only NHL D-men on the current roster who are locked in through the 2026-27 season.
Wilsby is the first drafted prospect to be awarded a multi-year contract from Nashville’s 2020 draft class.
Spencer Statsney, Marc Del Gaizo, and former Predators forwards Eeli Tolvanen and Philip Tomasino are the only other Nashville drafted players since 2017 to sign a second deal with the organization.
Competition will continue to escalate on the blue line when Nashville returns to play on Feb. 22 against the Colorado Avalanche. By then Wilsby could be back from his upper-body injury, an ailment that’s lingered since New Year’s Eve.
The NHL trade deadline is set for March 7 at 2 p.m. CT and general manager Barry Trotz will have some decisions to make should younger players start joining the team.
Nashville currently has defenseman Jeremy Lauzon and Mark Jankowski on injured reserve. When they return, the Predators will have one available roster spot.
If Trotz was to deal one of his defensemen it wouldn’t be surprising if Stastney is recalled and added to the rotation on the blue line. He could benefit from more playing time in Milwaukee, and if that’s the case a player from juniors make their NHL debut.
Tanner Molendyk and Andrew Gibson are names that come to mind. If their respective seasons conclude during the end of the NHL’s regular season it’s certainly a possibility.
In the meantime, Nashville may be on the cusp of moving assets out the door and gearing up for a busy offseason after a disappointing turn of events this season.
Follow Nick Kieser on Twitter/X: @KieserNick
Photos courtesy of the Nashville Predators
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