No team made more noise this summer than the Nashville Predators, seemingly all coming in a rush when free agency opened. Not only was Juuse Saros’ extension confirmed on July 1, Barry Trotz and the Predators were able to sign Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessult, Brady Skjei, Scott Wedgewood, and bring back Alexandre Carrier.
Saros spoke about his experience on July 1, noting that he was playing tennis and didn’t know what was happening until after when his wife was able to finally get a hold of him. This indicates that his deal was already done as reported prior to free agency opening, but there was no rush as he still has one year remaining on his current contract.
Saors noted that Trotz had indicated Nashville was “looking for a couple of additions, but maybe we didn’t expect that big of a splash.” I don’t think anyone expected the Predators, who in all fairness did have a lot of cap space to utilize, to be able to land multiple former Stanley Cup champions and a very underrated top-4 defenseman.
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Usually a team is able to land one big free agent and call it a success. If the Predators were able to only land one of Stamkos, Marchessault, or Skjei, I don’t think there would have been any big complaints. To be able to land all three and more is a reason for the players already on the Predators to be very excited.
Saros said that “I was really excited, I think everybody was. Can’t wait.” The Predators’ starter has been a part of some strong Nashville teams, but not as a starter. With these additions, this group has the chance to do something special.
Upon hearing about Carrier also returning, Saros called him to send a congratulations. But while Carrier had reason to be excited about his own deal and the fact that he’s staying in Nashville on this very good team, Saros said that the d-man was “as pumped about (the new guys) as his own contract.
There is a chance that Carrier plays with Skjei as his partner, whether that be just a little or more if Jeremy Lauzon and Carrier are split up. Carrier is signed for three more years and something big for the Predators can happen in that window to win. Saros is under contract for nine more seasons and has every reason to be very excited about what Trotz provided Nashville this offseason.
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