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Nashville Predators on The Hockey News
Timing is Perfect for Nashville Predators to Find Ideal UFA to Sign
By Rob Couch,
2024-05-18
The Nashville Predators took a big step in the right direction this season by bouncing back and making the playoffs with a new look team. They did so with a lot of cap space and have the opportunity to add a big piece or two in free agency to better the team's chances at being even more competitive in 2024-25.
The Predators project to have over $19 million in cap space to use and won't be using too much of that to fill the rest of the roster. This leaves a good chunk of money for Nashville to look to the many high profile free agents that look to be available.
The most pressing need the Predators have is a top-6 center. Ryan O'Reilly did a great job this season and much more than expected of him. The chemistry of the top line was excellent, but if the Predators are going to be a real contender next season and for the next number of years, Nashville would do that with O'Reilly as the second line center.
While it is no easy task to find a top line center in free agency, there are some options that could work like Steven Stamkos, Sam Reinhart (drafted as a center), and Elias Lindholm. This also depends on if any of them make it to free agency. Reinhart and Lindholm are still in the playoffs.
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While acquiring a centerman is important for the Predators, the team might be able to manage O'Reilly, Colton Sissons, and Tommy Novak as the top three centers and load up the wing. This is of course option two, but that does open up a lot more options in free agency.
I expect the Predator to make a big push for one of the three names I mentioned while also having discussions around the league for potential centers on the trade block. Help down the middle isn't necessarily coming from the prospect pool the Predators have unless something unexpected happens, so Nashville will have to look externally if they are to improve upon this season.
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