New Contract In Hand, Cody Glass Knows He Belongs In The NHL

The viral video of a tearful Cody Glass receiving the news that he’d made the Nashville Predators opening-night roster last October is a moment the former No. 6 overall pick will likely never forget.

This will be the best thing you see all day.

Cody Glass’ reaction to making the Preds roster 🥲
pic.twitter.com/q2yPS1ElCb

— Nathan "Grav" (@NathanGraviteh) October 4, 2022

Glass was no stranger to putting up big numbers during his time with the Portland Winterhawks in the Western Hockey League. His production and notable leadership abilities raised his draft stock quickly, resulting in high expectations that included being a projected top-10 pick in the 2017 NHL Draft.

His journey took him from being a bona-fide scorer in the junior league to a fringe NHLer within the span of three years, and Glass was left wondering if he would even dress from night to night.

But now Glass can appreciate the tough road that led him to a permanent spot on the Predators roster, which he recently said in an interview with the NHL Players’ Association began when he earned his spot in training camp last season.

“At the beginning of the year, it was a situation where I was focused on trying to make the team,” Glass said. “By January, I’m going up against players like Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon and a lot of other top guys. It was a nice change of pace. It was something that I needed to show, that I belong in the NHL. I felt like I did a very good job and found my place on the team.”

Glass scored 14 goals and 35 points over 72 games last season, and the 24-year-old now has a newfound appreciation for how difficult it is to balance sticking in the pros and showcasing his immense amount of potential.

His hard work paid off. Teammate Filip Forsberg even noticed the strides Glass made in his development over the last year, and he has high hopes for the 24-year-old center for 2023.

Glass’ progress was also noted off the ice as well. He was voted as Nashville’s nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, which is awarded annually to “the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.” While Glass remained humble, his peers know he more than deserved the recognition.

On the ice, Nashville’s front office has had to have patience as it brought Glass along slowly. The double trade former general manager David Poile pulled off two offseasons ago that sent Ryan Ellis to Philadelphia, Nolan Patrick to Vegas and netted the Predators Glass, continues to look better each day.

Playing in a new system under first-year head coach Andrew Brunette, along with a new organizational focus centered on culture and entertainment value under new GM Barry Trotz, could be just what the doctor ordered for Glass, who’s high ceiling many — including himself — believe he can reach.

Glass shares agent Murray Koontz of WD Sports & Entertainment with teammate Colton Sissons. Koontz helped Glass navigate contract negotiations this summer, and the center was rewarded with a two-year, $5 million extension. The deal affords Glass the opportunity to meet his potential and establish himself as an impact player for the Predators, which would play quite nicely into his next contract negotiation in the summer of 2026.

“With Nashville, I’ve lucked out,” Glass said. “When we were making that push at the end of the year, the building was electric. It gives me chills just thinking about it. The city itself, the way the players are treated by fans and the media, I’ve been welcomed with open arms. It’s something I’m extremely grateful for.”

Follow Clay Brewer on Twitter/X: @ClayBrewer10