It’s barely past noon, but the Nashville Predators have already stolen the show as free agency opens.
According to various media, forwards Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault as well as defenseman Brady Skjei are on the verge of settling in the country town. Stamkos has reportedly signed a four-year contract that will earn him an average of 8 million per season. Marchessault would earn a total of 27.5 million within 5 years (average of 5.5 million). Skjei would have agreed on a contract of 7 years and 49 million (average of 7 million).
Stamkos, 34, has spent his entire 1,000-plus game career with the Tampa Bay Lightning, the team that drafted him first overall in 2008. He leads the franchise in goals (555) and points (1,137) and has been the team’s captain since 2014. He has won the Stanley Cup twice, in 2020 and 2021.
The 2023-2024 season was the last of an 8-year contract that he signed during the summer of 2016. He then amassed 81 points in 79 games.
His agent met with general manager Julien BriseBois shortly after the team was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs at the end of April, but negotiations quickly stalled.
In recent days, the separation between Stamkos and the Lightning was confirmed, and BriseBois announced Saturday that the star center player would become an unrestricted free agent.
Moments before news broke that he would be joining the Predators, Stamkos posted a short tribute to his adopted hometown. “I can’t find the words,” he wrote. “It’s too early yet. But I still want everyone to know how grateful I am for 16 years with the Lightning. My family and I are excited for the next chapter.”
Marchessault, Skjei
Jonathan Marchessault, 33, is also leaving a market where he had firmly established himself.
Selected by the Golden Knights in the expansion draft that saw the NHL move to Las Vegas in 2017, he has spent the last seven years in the Nevada desert. He ranks first in the franchise’s young history in goals (192), assists (225) and points (417).
PHOTO TONY GUTIERREZ, ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES
Jonathan Marchessault
He also contributed to the conquest of the 2023 Stanley Cup, while he won the Conn Smythe Trophy awarded to the most valuable player in the playoffs.
Undrafted, he has so far had three collections of at least 30 goals, including a career-high 42 he set last season.
As for Skjei, he leaves the Carolina Hurricanes after four years. He is coming off the best offensive season of his career, putting up 47 points in 80 games during the season and adding 9 points in 11 playoff games.