The Daily: Are Predators a Contender Now?; Red Wings Sleeper

General manager Barry Trotz handed out almost $170 million in new contracts in the name of making the Nashville Predators a Stanley Cup contender. 

He hopes he has done that by signing UFA forwards Steve Stamkos (four years, $32 million) and Jonathan Marchessault (five years $27.5 million), plus defenseman Brad Skjei (seven years, $49 million). He also re-signed Predators impact goalie Juuse Saros to an eight-year deal worth $61.92 million.

“I want to bring the Stanley Cup to Nashville – I always wanted to do it as a coach, and I failed.  So I’ve got a responsibility to arm my coach with as many tools as possible to bring a cup here,” Trotz told radio station TSN 1050.

The Predators finished 10th in scoring (3.24 goals per game) last season, but Trotz made additional goal scoring a priority. Stamkos and Marchessault both hit 40 goals last season.

The boys are ready for Smashville !Thanks @Gnash00 @PredsNHL pic.twitter.com/Egi8UeQ4Ad

— Steven Stamkos (@RealStamkos91) July 9, 2024

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

Bob Duff wrote about Dominik Hasek being disappointed that the Hockey Hall of Fame selected Pavel Datsyuk to enter the HHOF this season. Hasek has consistently criticized Russia for its attack on the Ukraine. He believes Russian players shouldn’t be honored while the war is ongoing. He does believe Datsyuk is HHOF worthy.

Emmitt Finnie is a true sleeper of the Red Wings’ prospect list. He was a seventh round pick in 2023. The Red Wings have already signed him. They view him as a forward who has a good chance to play in the NHL.

Paywall Story: GM Steve Yzerman seems confident the Red Wings will reach an agreement with RFAs Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond before training camp. Yzerman is open to both a long-term deal or a shorter bridge deal. He has the salary cap space to get it done. If you want to subscrbe to DHN+ click here.  To  receive a $10 discount on a yearly subscription, use the promo code kevin10.

Red Wings Offseason

Projections on how former Red Wings will fit on their new teams: David Perron, Ottawa Senators, probably on their third line with Ridly Grieg as his center. Should be on second power play unit. Defenseman Jake Walman will likely be on San Jose’s second pairing with Jan Rutta.

Hockey Now Network

Florida: Who made the cut for getting their names engraved on the Stanley Cup for the Florida Panthers.

New Jersey: Seamus Casey explains his delay in signing with the New Jersey Devils. 

Philadelphia: PHN’s Jonathan Bailey believes the Flyers could expedite their rebuilding effort by issuing an offer sheet to Kings RFA Quinton Byfield. One of the Flyers’ needs is a No. 1 center. Byfield, 20, is coming off a breakthrough season. He registered 20 goals and 55 points for the Los Angeles Kings. There’s only been 10 offer sheets listed since 2006, and only two resulted in players changing teams.

Pittsburgh: UFA Tyler Johnson might make sense for a last move by the Pittsburgh Penguins.