Nash Daily: Juuse Saros’ Steal Of A Contract, Michkov’s Draft Fall

There’s no question that Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros is one of the five best goaltenders in the NHL.

And according to Jesse Granger of The Athletic, so is his contract. Granger ranked the value of Saros’ four-year, $20 million deal as the second-best goalie contract in the NHL, behind Jake Oettinger’s three-year, $12 million deal with the Dallas Stars.

“Last season Saros was so good his environment didn’t matter,” Granger wrote. “…Despite playing behind a sub-par defense, Saros posted a sensational stat line that included the league lead in goals saved above expected (46.7 according to MoneyPuck) and wins above replacement (8.9 according to Evolving Hockey). His excellent play behind a less-than-stellar team only strengthens the confidence that he’ll outplay his reasonable cap hit of only $5 million over the next two seasons.”

#Preds goalie Juuse Saros received two first-place votes and finished fourth for the Vezina Trophy pic.twitter.com/lOyDJbw0uv

— Michael Gallagher (@MGsports_) June 27, 2023

Saros’ $5 million cap hit is currently tied for 14th among goaltenders. Over the last three seasons, the 28-year-old Finn has more wins and a better save percentage than all but one, and a better goals-against average than all but two of the 13 goalies making more than him.

Locked up for two more seasons, Saros is due for a sizable raise with his next deal — likely one similar to the seven-year, $49 million deal Pekka Rinne signed with the Predators in 2012.

Around the NHL and National Hockey Now

NHL.com: Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky and Matt Boldy headline a group of 23-and-under forwards projected to be among the best in the league three years from now by a panel of NHL.com writers.

Carolina Hockey Now: The Hurricanes are signing blue-liner Caleb Jones, brother of former Predators defenseman Seth Jones.

Florida Hockey Now: Should Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk be the front-runner for the NHL 2024 cover?

Philly Hockey Now: Flyers beat writer Chuck Bausman takes a look at why Matvei Michkov fell to Philadelphia at pick No. 7.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Does adding Erik Karlsson make the Penguins legitimate Stanley Cup contenders?

Follow Michael Gallagher on Twitter @MGsports_