The Nashville Predators’ roster appears to now be set as the team has avoided arbitration with their last two RFA’s and made another defensive depth signing. The signing of Petter Granberg was announced yesterday, Calle Jarnkrok and free agent defenseman Matt Carle was announced today. Let’s take a look at the deals and how these players fit into the Predators plans.
Defenseman Petter Granberg signed yesterday for 2 years. A midseason surprise (at least to Toronto) waiver wire pick up, Granberg was acquired as an injury prone but talented defenseman. He appeared in 27 games for Nashville last season and acquitted himself nicely in the third pairing role. The two year deal is two-way in year one… slightly surprising that a two way deal got done, but it is appropriate for a player that still has a bit to prove before declaring him a full-time NHL player. Granberg will be paid $575k in year one ($175K at the AHL level) and $650k in year two.
Granberg does have nice size and is positionally strong. Personally, I think the Preds would like to see him bring a bit more physicality to his game. He does possess a strong first pass out of the zone, critical to head coach Peter Laviolette’s speed game. The two-way contract is a clear sign that Granberg may start the season in Milwaukee but potentially be the first blueline call up if needed.
Forward Calle Jarnkrok’s signing was announced this morning. Jarnkrok is coming off a career year, career highs in goals and assists in 81 games. The 5’11” Swede is a bit of a playmaker, An effective penalty killer and versatile, not only able to move from center to wing effectively, Jarnkrok is also able to play a top six role and well as a bottom six role.
His contract is simply astounding in terms of length and an incredible economy of dollars. The six year length is something I never saw coming. The total value of $12 million, an AAV of $2 million per year? Well… That is pure David “Dumbledore” Poile wizardry.
The news of Matt Carle’s signing of a one year $700k contract was released early this afternoon. Carle has had an up and down career in the NHL since busting into the league with a bang with the San Jose Sharks. The 31 year old d-man has played in 724 NHL games and been to the Stanley Cup Finals twice in his career, in 2015 with the Lightning and 2010 with the Flyers.
Carle won the Hobey Baker while playing for the University of Denver, the Anchorage, Alaska native saw some of his most productive seasons while playing for Laviolette in Philadelphia. 6’ 197 lbs. Carle will anchor the third d-pair with Yannick Weber, making the two way deal for Granberg make even more sense.
So… it looks like the roster is complete… only 79 days to opening night.
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We had a little fun in the Preds office and we have video evidence of it…
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