Nash Daily: Predators Contract Updates, Kings Keep Gavrikov

While a deal never materialized, the Nashville Predators and Los Angeles Kings discussed a trade before the March 3 trade deadline for goaltender Juuse Saros. Nashville had a high asking price that L.A. wasn’t willing to meet.

While it’s fresh out of the oven that Devin Cooley will test the free-agent market, he isn’t the only player in the Predators organization who needs a new contract.

One day after playing in Game 6 of the AHL WCF Devin Cooley will test the open market this summer his agent tells me. ⤵️https://t.co/7tJLSjiKL8

— Nick Kieser 🏒 (@KieserNick) June 7, 2023

The Predators have four unrestricted free agents and 10 restricted free agents, and now that one domino has fallen, more are expected prior to the salary arbitration deadline on June 19.

At the top of that list is forward Cody Glass and defenseman Alexandre Carrier.

Glass played 24 games on Nashville’s top line after Ryan Johansen went down with a leg injury, scoring 15 points in 27 games to round out the regular season. According to Glass’ camp, there have been preliminary discussions as a new deal is still being pieced together.

It’s a much different story for Carrier, a 26-year-old defenseman who missed 39 games while battling various injuries. He is one of three RFA’s on the NHL roster and nothing has been reported in terms of a new deal. Carrier’s camp likes to keep things close to the vest until a deal is finalized — a personal preference, his agent says, is out of courtesy for the Predators and other teams his clients play for.

Two players in Nashville’s system — goalie Tomas Vomacka and forward Markus Nurmi — will both be heading back to Europe.

Nurmi’s agent confirmed he signed a three-year deal with TPS Turku in the Finnish Liiga. Nurmi scored 24 points in 48 games this season with the Milwaukee Admirals.

Vomacka told Nashville Hockey Now he was going home to see what happens next for his career. His former agent John Kofi Osei-Tutu said Vomacka retained an agent back home in the Czech Republic and will go from there depending on what Nashville would like to do.

Catch the latest edition of Preds Insiders from 102.5 The Game this week for further details on the Predator’s free agents.

Also, what is the Predators’ vision as a team moving forward with new head coach Andrew Brunette and soon-to-be general manager Barry Trotz? Michael Gallagher and Braden Gall discussed on the latest installment of the Gold Standard.

Around the NHL and National Hockey Now

Florida Hockey Now: Florida Panthers defenseman Brandon Montour rushed home between Games 1 and 2 of the Stanley Cup Final. His son Kai Montour was born after his father took a private jet back to Florida to see his firstborn child. Game 3 is Thursday night back in Sunrise, Florida after the Panthers dropped the first two games of the series.

New Jersey Hockey Now: On Wednesday, Devils defenseman Simon Nemec was named to the inaugural AHL Top Prospects Team. The first-year rookie registered 12 goals and 34 points in 65 regular season games. Nemec also tallied a goal and three assists in four Calder Cup Playoff games.

LA Hockey Now: The Los Angeles Kings and Vladislav Gavrikov agreed to a two-year contract on Wednesday. Gavrikov signed for two years at $5.875 million per year. Kings general manager Rob Blake has more things to cross off on his to-do list, but he can take the defenseman he acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets off it now.

Follow Nick Kieser on Twitter: @KieserNick

(Photo: David Russell for Nashville Hockey Now)