Nashville Predators Shock the Hockey World with Free Agent Signings
In a surprising turn of events, the Nashville Predators made waves on July 1 by signing Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Brady Skjei in a stunning free agency haul. General Manager Barry Trotz credited his staff, including assistant general managers Jeff Kealty, Brian Poile, and Scott Nichol, for their efforts in securing these high-profile players.
The news of the Predators’ acquisitions sent shockwaves throughout the hockey world. The TSN studio was abuzz with excitement when it was reported that Nashville had landed both Stamkos and Marchessault, two 40-goal scorers. It was a dream scenario for the Preds, who were thrilled to secure not just one, but both players.
Trotz revealed that the original plan two weeks prior did not include either Stamkos or Marchessault. He had targeted other players like Elias Lindholm, Chandler Stephenson, and Sean Monahan. However, when the opportunity to sign Stamkos arose, Trotz had to make a difficult decision and pivot his plans.
The turning point came when Trotz ran into Tampa Bay Lightning GM Julien BriseBois at the NHL Awards and learned that Stamkos might be available. This revelation prompted Trotz to seriously consider pursuing the star forward. Eventually, Stamkos realized that Tampa Bay was not an option and focused on finding a new team. Nashville stood out among the 10 teams that showed interest, and the feeling was mutual.
The Predators also secured the services of Brady Skjei to fill a void on defense. Trotz prioritized finding a replacement for Ryan McDonagh and successfully addressed that need. In addition to these signings, Nashville re-signed defenseman Alexandre Carrier, ensuring they achieved all of their free agency objectives.
While adding aging players through free agency may not be the ideal strategy for building a contender, the Predators have managed to upgrade their roster without sacrificing future assets. By signing UFAs, they have only used up cap space, allowing their prospects to develop and grow naturally.
Character and culture are important factors for Trotz, and he emphasized the high-character nature of the players they signed. Just like previous signings of Ryan O’Reilly, Gustav Nyquist, and Luke Schenn, Stamkos, Marchessault, and Skjei bring a winning mentality and a commitment to success.
In other news, there have been preliminary discussions between the NHL and NHL Players’ Association regarding potential changes to the league’s schedule and calendar. The proposed changes include starting the regular season in early October, reducing the preseason to four games per team, and adopting an 84-game regular season. The goal is to minimize the preseason’s impact and wrap up the season earlier in June.
The need for schedule adjustments became evident as teams like the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers struggled with limited time to prepare for the offseason after the Stanley Cup Final. The current calendar leaves little breathing room between the end of the season, the draft, and the start of free agency. Delaying the start of the regular season until November has been suggested in the past to avoid conflicts with other sports events and increase hockey’s appeal in non-traditional markets.
While these discussions are still in their early stages, many agree that changes are necessary to create a more balanced and efficient schedule. The hope is that by making these adjustments, the league can find a better balance between the end of the season and the start of the offseason.
In conclusion, the Nashville Predators shocked the hockey world with their free agent signings, bringing in top-tier talent like Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Brady Skjei. General Manager Barry Trotz and his staff deserve credit for their diligent efforts in securing these players. The Predators have managed to upgrade their roster without sacrificing their long-term vision, and these signings bring a winning mentality and high character to the team. Additionally, discussions are underway to make significant changes to the NHL schedule and calendar, aiming to start the season earlier and wrap up the year in June while minimizing the preseason’s impact. These changes would provide teams with more time to prepare for the offseason and create a better balance in the league’s calendar.