Report: Predators, Tommy Novak Close To Contract Extension

Nashville Predators center Tommy Novak had drawn lots of interest on the trade market over the last week.

But the 26-year-old Novak doesn’t appear to be going anywhere any more as he and the Predators are reportedly closing in on a contract extension, per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.

“The understanding is today — and you’ve got to be careful because things can always change — but the understanding is today he’s not on the market, there’s belief there’s been progress between him and the Predators on an extension,” Friedman reported on “Saturday Headlines.” “They’re likely to keep him. That’ll disappoint teams; he was a [trade] target.”

Just last week, Predators general manager Barry Trotz admitted that if Novak wasn’t re-signed ahead of the March 8 trade deadline that he would be inclined to trade him rather than possibly lose him for nothing in the offseason when he hits unrestricted free agency.

Friedman hinted during the week that Novak’s market was red-hot, telling 102.5 The Game that the Predators could possibly get a first-round pick in return for the Minnesota native.

Novak has really settled into a groove lately, tallying five goals and 11 points since the All-Star break, helping the Predators win their last eight games in a row. He scored a goal and added an assist in Nashville’s 5-1 over the Colorado Avalanche Saturday night.

Tommy Novak danced around the Avs defence to score a beauty 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/ATVnKrpP5L

— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) March 3, 2024

It’s not known the salary or the term of Novak’s potential new deal, but it’s likely to be a multi-year deal anywhere in the $3.5 million to $4.5 million-per-season range.

Through 51 games this season, Novak has 13 goals and 34 points while averaging 14:21 minutes per game, though he’s battled injuries on and off this year. Through the same number of games last season, he had 17 goals and 43 points.

Follow Michael Gallagher on X/Twitter @MGsports_