Free-agent focus: Nashville Predators

F Jakub Vrana – Vrana was another midseason addition in Nashville, joining the team via waivers from the Capitals in early March. He played the rest of the year in the NHL, appearing in 13 games in Nashville’s bottom-six. He posted a bleak three points and minus-10 in those appearances, again appearing to struggle with NHL responsibility. That was despite netting 11 points in 26 games with the Capitals earlier in the year. Vrana has run through the last few seasons unable to land a solid role at the NHL level, but he scored 36 points in 42 games of his most recent AHL stint (2023-24). That’s strong scoring, and could convince Nashville to bring him back as a focal piece of the Milwaukee Admirals lineup.

D Marc Del Gaizo – Of all of their pending free agents, Del Gaizo is absolutely Nashville’s most important. He played through his formal rookie season this year, appearing in 46 games and netting nine points. Those appearances were intercut with 30 games and 12 points in the AHL – then five points in 10 AHL playoff games. The stats may not jump off the page, but the former UMass standout looked more-and-more comfortable handling an NHL role. He’ll come at a low cost this summer, but could find his way into a near-permanent NHL role as soon as next season.

F Kieffer Bellows – Bellows was one of many productive veterans on the Admirals this year. He ranked sixth on the team in scoring with 15 goals and 31 points in 44 games – then posted a fantastic nine points in 10 playoff games. He also added four points in 19 NHL games. Those appearances held Bellows close to a pro role throughout the entire season, and maintained his momentum after netting 49 points in 52 games with the Toronto Marlies last year. He’s a minor-league fixture, but a certainly productive one that Nashville may struggle to replace one-for-one on the open market.

Other UFAs: F Grigori Denisenko, D Mark Friedman, D Jake Livingstone

Projected Cap Space

The Predators have little to worry about with the off-season approaching. Even after a dismal season, the team’s NHL lineup and top prospects are all signed through next season. That means that the team will be able to dedicate the vast majority of their $17.31MM in projected cap space to bringing in new additions from the open market. They’ve been one of the team’s most active teams on the transaction wire since general manager Barry Trotz took over. That should continue as Trotz handles plenty of firepower this summer.

Contract information courtesy of PuckPedia.