On the Nashville Predators …
Adam Vingan of the Tennessean: Three items that should be on the Nashville Predators to-do list this offseason.
Re-sign Filip Forsberg – the pending RFA will be looking for a big raise. Forsberg said last week that there haven’t been any significant talks as of yet. GM David Poile has a history of signing long-term contract over bridge deals for high quality yToolsoung players.
Consider Buyouts – Mike Ribeiro and Eric Nystrom have a year left on their deals and the Predators could consider buying them out. They don’t have a replacement for Ribeiro at the moment, so he could stay. Nystrom is owed $3 million next year.
Explore Free Agency – pending UFA Paul Gaustad and Carter Hutton likely won’t be back. Craig Custance mentioned Loui Eriksson as a potential free agent target for the Predators. Kyle Okposo is a another scorer that might interest the Preds. They could look to add more depth on their third pairing.
Thomas Willis of NashvillePredators.com: Quotes and notes from coach Peter Laviolette and GM David Poile’s press conference.
Poile said that Eric Nystrom will be bought out or traded. They will not be bringing Paul Gaustad back.
Laviolette on Mike Ribeiro: “It’s going to be a big summer for Ribeiro. He has to come into training and really push himself and get explosiveness.”
Poile said they’ve had talks with backup Carter Hutton and are trying to re-sign him.
Brooks Bratton – They’ve talked to Cody Bass about a new contract.
Kristopher Martel – Poile on Filip Forsberg: “Forsberg needs a contract. We’ve talked to his agent.”
Adam Vingan: Poile on Forsberg: “I can’t tell you (today) whether it’s going to be a…bridge contract or a 5- or 6-year deal. I’d just be guessing.”
Contract talks with Calle Jarnkrok will start “right away.”
Due to the number of free agents they have, it likely means they won’t be making a big splash in free agency.
