Paul McCann: Freddie Gaudreau Signed for Three More Years

This is a pretty good deal for the Preds and a guy like Gadreau. He's got the ability to start in key situations, and has a good bit of upside as a Depth C that can do more than just hold his ground and not give games away. If he pans out, 700K in the final year is a bargain.

Would love to see Johansen, Arvidsson & Aberg get done before Arbitration. Have a feeling Poile is going to struggle to want pay Arvidsson what 60-point forwards are getting - considering it's just been one season of that kind of production. Sometimes, you gotta pay what it takes, but even if he has to overpay a bit for Arvidsson, he sould still be able to keep that first line together for 3-4 years for $20MM or less per year total. That's really not bad.

I've been very curious to see what Johansen signs for this summer, and for how long. That Forsberg contract is great value and seems like a decent comparison. If he signs for 6 and Arvidsson signs for less, you'll have three young key forwards who all left some money on the table to build a competitor, kind of like all the guys taking discounts out in Tampa Bay (except Killorn and Girardi).

I've been very curious to see what Johansen signs for this summer, and for how long. That Forsberg contract is great value and seems like a decent comparison. If he signs for 6 and Arvidsson signs for less, you'll have three young key forwards who all left some money on the table to build a competitor, kind of like all the guys taking discounts out in Tampa Bay (except Killorn and Girardi).
- Coburns_Nose

There is zero chance RyJo signs for 6. I hope it isn't over 8.

There is zero chance RyJo signs for 6. I hope it isn't over 8.
- predswilrule

Cocaine is expensive, he needs the money !

If Poile can get Johansen for 5x8million or 6x8million, he has to do it. Arvidsson is trickier. I think the term would change the deal. If Arvy wants 5 or more years, I think he has to take a bit of a discount because it's only been one year of strong performance. So, I could see 3x6million or 5x5million for Arvy.

Aberg & Watson are also interesting ones to me. Same deal, if they want years, they gotta take a discount. If they want money, it's gonna be on a one or two year deal.

I'm still not convinced that Poile doesn't have some kind of trade cooking on the back burner. If he gets Watson and Aberg signed to reasonable deals, they could be very attractive on the trade market as a final piece to a trade deal. And something also tells me that Fisher might just come back on a $1MM deal, and be content to play 40-50 games (especially since they have the C depth with Gadreau signed and Sissons emerging).

If Poile can get Johansen for 5x8million or 6x8million, he has to do it. Arvidsson is trickier. I think the term would change the deal. If Arvy wants 5 or more years, I think he has to take a bit of a discount because it's only been one year of strong performance. So, I could see 3x6million or 5x5million for Arvy.

Aberg & Watson are also interesting ones to me. Same deal, if they want years, they gotta take a discount. If they want money, it's gonna be on a one or two year deal.

I'm still not convinced that Poile doesn't have some kind of trade cooking on the back burner. If he gets Watson and Aberg signed to reasonable deals, they could be very attractive on the trade market as a final piece to a trade deal. And something also tells me that Fisher might just come back on a $1MM deal, and be content to play 40-50 games (especially since they have the C depth with Gadreau signed and Sissons emerging).
- holycow_75

I too think something is cooking and I think it hinges on what Fisher does. Emelin is a left handed shot as is Irwin, the Preds usually like to have a lefty and righty on each pair. We re-signed Weber and as far as I could tell there wasn’t an issue with Irwin. So what gives with Emelin? I think if Fish retires we pull the trigger on Duchene, Ekholm or Josi (both left handed shots) + whatever. If Fish comes back we roll the dice with Bonino at 2C and ship Emelin or Irwin off.

I could be wrong and I probably am, but the Emelin acquisition doesn’t make much sense to me right now.

I just don't get you Pred fans....why do you all have this allegiance to Subban? What....he arrived and that's why you made it to the Finals? How do you not see his NINE MILLION Cap Hit as a hinderance? Move him, get the offense you need, and proceed to win Stanley Cup. It's pretty simple. (assuming Rinne gets a sports psychologist for the away games, but they're cheap)

How do you not see his NINE MILLION Cap Hit as a hinderance?
- gk911

And the 10.5 million cap hit each, for both Toews & Kane isn't?? Sure thing...

I just don't get you Pred fans....why do you all have this allegiance to Subban? What....he arrived and that's why you made it to the Finals? How do you not see his NINE MILLION Cap Hit as a hinderance? Move him, get the offense you need, and proceed to win Stanley Cup. It's pretty simple. (assuming Rinne gets a sports psychologist for the away games, but they're cheap)
- gk911

Who's on here touting an undying allegiance to Subban? He's a good player, a Norris trophy winner & a good offensive D-man. He brings an energy to the team & is a great citizen for the city of Nashville. He wasn't as productive offensively this past season, but he was out for a significant stretch & was playing at less than 100% for a good part of the season and playoffs.

From a pure hockey GM standpoint, the Preds are paying $19MM per year for their top 4 Defensemen. The Blackhawks are paying $17MM. I'd much rather have the Preds D for $2 million more per year. Plus, a fan of a team that pays almost $7million per year to an almost 33 year old Brent Seabrook, has no business lecturing Preds fans about overpaying for a player. Sheesh!

Once the Preds sign Johansen and Arvidsson, they will still have the players & cap room to make a trade for a top-6 forward if that is what they choose to do. What kind of room does Chicago have?

We are the poster child for bad contracts, I think that's pretty obvious. What the Preds need to do, is NOT what the Blackhawks have done. You can give contracts to our core guys for "a job well done", especially since they gave you THREE Stanley Cups....just don't get pissed and act like you "can't understand how this could happen", when you get swept out of the playoffs in the first round. Because...it's pretty obvious, aging core, and Russians who don't show up come crunch time, Panarin being one of them, so I'm glad we got an American in return. And I'm a Hawk fan for life, but you have to call 'em as you see 'em....and those are horrible contracts. But at least Seabrook has 3 Stanley Cups, and last I checked, that LOUDMOUTH Subban has......nada. Johnny and Kaner should have taken REAL home town discounts like Stamkos did. 8 million max. Hossa was left over from Tallon, so Stan gets a pass on that one, but the Seabrook contract is just flat out grounds for losing your job. Preds went around him like he was a pylon, and gee...."I wonder if he'll be faster or slower when he's a year older?". We are destined for playoff mediocrity for while now, with an aging core....and violating yet another NHL GM for Dummies rule...no player on your team over 34. PERIOD.