OK, the signings have begun.
With the news of Ryan Hartman and Juuse Saros signing, there is only Miikka Salomaki to go on the RFA front… and one huge extension as well.
The Ryan Hartman deal, a one year, $875k one way deal… a “prove it” contract if there ever was one. Hartman has some outstanding upsides, tough, skilled, nice hands and good ice sense… and one or two developmental opportunities that threaten a long term career. His occasional lack of discipline… probably the biggest reason Chicago gave up on him… showed itself in some really bad places in his short time with the Preds. Hartman does have a nasty habit of taking bad penalties at the exact wrong time. It’s something that needs to be fixed… this season.
Juuse Saros signed a three year deal for $4.5 million, earning $1.5 million in each year. A clear signal to the young goaltender that he is the netminder of the future for Nashville. After a slow start to the 17/18 campaign, Saros caught fire, eventually being named to the NHL’s All-Rookie team. His 11-5-7 record, combined with a GAA of 2.44 and a .925 save percentage convinced this observer that Saros is the future of the Nashville net. With Pekka Rinne’s contract expiring after this season, the time for the handoff is drawing closer, despite an outstanding regular season from Rinne, the fact is that the big Finn turns 36 in November. Saros is flourishing under Rinne’s tutelage and will be ready to take the reins when Rinne steps aside… or maybe sooner.
The one extension, defenseman Ryan Ellis. The price seems to be escalating if you look at what other defensemen are getting… John Carlson, 8 yr. $8 million per is at the high end… but is certainly driving up the price.
When this first started I thought that Nashville may get away in the 6 for 6 range… it may go a bit higher given the market, but the interesting notion that is circling around the rumor mill is the lack of no move clauses that Nashville is famous for not giving out, only Pekka Rinna has an NMC. Ellis has spent his entire career in Music City and, at the age of 27, a six year deal would be one that would take him to 34… and another potential payday if he holds up physically. If I am David Poile, I give Ellis the no move, sign him at $6.5 a year and be done with it.
The closest match to Ryan Ellis may be the contract that Cam Fowler got from Anaheim last summer. The stats are close and Ellis’ age may shorten the term a bit… but not much. I do expect him to be in the $6.5 - $7 million range when all is said and done. Term is open, but 6 years seems about right.
Watch this space…
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Random Notes
- MLB in Nashville? The new commish says that Nashville would be a potential target should baseball decide to add teams.
- The Predators office staff are making their annual Soles 4 Souls trip to Honduras… you can follow the trip on the Preds website.
- The Preds Foundation just announced their first-ever Weekend of Giving, scheduled for September 7-10th. It includes events like the Predators Fishing Tournament, Mattias Ekholm Hockey Clinic, Petey’s Preds Party and the annual Brent Peterson Golf Classic. One goal of this weekend is to break the Foundation’s record for fundraising in a single weekend.
- Linda Cohn has extended her contract with ESPN and is charged with increasing the amount of coverage dedicated to hockey… Good choice…
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