Predators Should Aggressively Pursue Panthers' Montour in Free Agency

When NHL free agency opens on July 1, one of the first calls the Nashville Predators should make is to Brandon Montour .

The 30-year-old defenseman is just one of 11 pending unrestricted free agents on the Florida Panthers roster, not to mention pending restricted free agent Anton Lundell. Add in the fact that Carter Verhaeghe, Sam Bennett and Aaron Ekblad are all eligible for extensions, and Montour could easily find himself squeezed out of a roster spot in Florida this summer.

There are several reasons that general manager Barry Trotz should have interest in Montour, not the least of which is the void on the Predators' blue line left by Ryan McDonagh.

Related: Early Look at Predators' Blueline After McDonagh Trade

If Montour does indeed become a cap casualty in Florida, Nashville would be a logical landing spot for him this summer. Let's explore some of the reasons why:

Montour Is a Legitimate Top-Four Defenseman

The Predators have two of their top-four defensemen from the 2023-24 season with Ryan McDonagh returning to the Tampa Bay Lightning and Alexandre Carrier set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Even if Carrier does return to the team on a team-friendly deal, the Predators could benefit from having another right-shot defenseman on the roster – particularly one with some offensive upside.

Montour Provides Consistent Blue Line Scoring

It's not a far stretch to classify Montour as a poor man's Roman Josi; he's an excellent skater, capable of playing in all situations, useful on the power play, and he has an effective point shot. Together, the pair could create a lethal one-two scoring punch on the Predators' back end. Montour's past three seasons have been the most productive of his NHL career, led by a 73-point campaign in 2022-23. His 2023-24 season was shortened due to injury, but he still managed 33 points (8 goals, 25 assists) in 66 games.

Montour Is a Serial Winner

Montour has made multiple deep postseason runs in his career, including back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances in 2023 and 2024. He has played in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in six of his eight NHL seasons, including each of the past four seasons with Florida. Four of his six playoff runs have lasted 10 or more games, and he has amassed 34 points in 79 career postseason contests. If the Panthers can close out their series against the Oilers, Montour will also be able to add a Stanley Cup championship to an already impressive postseason resume.

Related: Podcast: Predators Free Agent Targets, Draft Strategy & Breakout Stars

Montour Has Ties to Andrew Brunette

Montour played under current Predators head coach Andrew Brunette in his first full season with the Panthers in 2021-22. Montour was one of several Panthers skaters to find success playing under Brunette's system as the team went on to win the President's Trophy that season; he scored 11 goals, reaching double digits for the first time in his NHL career, and finished the campaign with 33 points and a +15 rating.

The Price Is Right

Montour is coming up on the end of a three-year, $10.5 million contract ($3.5 million AAV). He will be due for a pay raise, especially if he helps lead the Panthers to a Stanley Cup this month, but even a three-year deal worth up to $6 million per year would be more than reasonable for a Predators team in need of a top-four defenseman – especially considering that they have just offloaded McDonagh's $6.75 million salary.