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Nashville Predators Sign Pekka Rinne To Two-Year Extension

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The Nashville Predators announced they have signed Vezina Trophy winning goaltender Pekka Rinne to a two-year, $10MM contract extension (35+ contract). He will receive $6MM for the 2019-20 season and then $4MM for the 2020-21 season. Rinne is the team’s all-time leader in wins (315) and shutouts (52).

“Pekka Rinne has been the most impactful player our franchise has ever had, both on the ice as one of the NHL’s best goaltenders, and off the ice as a leader in the community,” Predators general manager David Poile said. “Both the organization and Pekka want him to play his entire career with the Predators, and this helps accomplish that objective, while also stabilizing our goaltending for at least the next two seasons beyond 2018-19. We feel the tandem of Pekka and Juuse Saros is among the best in the League.”

Rinne had the best season of his career in 2017-18, winning his first Vezina Trophy award, given to the league’s best goaltender. The then 35-year-old posted 42 wins, a 2.31 GAA and a .927 save percentage. Currently, despite missing some time with an injury, Rinne is still putting up solid numbers as he has a 1.91 GAA and a .944 save percentage in six appearances. Rinne is finishing up a seven-year, $49MM deal at $7MM per year. The new contract will see his AAV decline to $5MM per season. The Athletic’s Adam Vingan reports that Rinne will continue to have a no-trade clause and a modified no-movement clause on his deal with the same restrictions that he had on his previous deal, including a 10-team trade list.

The two-year deal makes sense for the Predators, although it had been looking more and more that the team has a future goaltender in Saros who is likely ready to take the reigns as starting goaltender now. Saros recently filled in as starter when Rinne went down and has six wins, a 2.50 GAA and a .917 save percentage in eight appearances. However, with both under contract for two more years after this one, the team should have one of the best goaltending tandems in the league. The most impressive part is that they will have both goaltenders at a combined $6.5MM for the next two seasons, a significant bargain, considering the kind of money that many goaltenders have been getting recently.

The extension also takes away some of the intrigue of the 2019 goaltending free agent market which would have starred Rinne, Sergei Bobrovsky and Semyon Varlamov, among others. Rinne gets a double bonus today as he gets his extension on his birthday as the goaltender turned 36 today. Coincidentally, Rinne also signed his last seven-year deal with Nashville on his birthday seven years ago today.

Pekka Rinne Activated From Injured Reserve

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The Nashville Predators are finally whole in net, as today they’ve activated Pekka Rinne from injured reserve and assigned Troy Grosenick back to the minor leagues. Rinne had been out for ten days following a collision with teammate Kevin Fiala. He’ll now return to one of the best goaltending tandems in the league alongside young Juuse Saros.

Rinne, who turns 36 in just a few days, is one of the most interesting names to keep an eye on around the league. As Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic writes (subscription required), negotiations between the Predators and their franchise goaltender continue on a contract extension, though there doesn’t seem to be anything imminent. Rinne has been one of the best goaltenders in the league for more than a decade, ending as a Calder finalist after finally making the jump to start for Nashville at the age of 25. Though there have been lean times throughout his Predators career, the reigning Vezina trophy winner has a .919 save percentage in close to 600 regular season games and was a huge reason why Nashville reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 2017.

Still, having Saros ready to take over the job creates a dilemma for the Predators. In his limited career, the 23-year old netminder has been an outstanding backup for Rinne, posting a .922 save percentage over 56 games. There’s a school of thought that suggests he may even be better right now than his mentor and partner, and the fact that he’s signed to a three-year deal worth just a total of $4.5MM makes him one of the most attractive assets in the league. Imagine paying a top-tier starting goaltender just $1.5MM per season while in a Stanley Cup contention window.

That contract though is what makes the negotiation with Rinne so interesting. Even if they dial back his work and turn the duo into more of a straight tandem, the Predators could likely afford to pay Rinne a hefty sum to keep him there through the end of his career. Having one of their franchise icons remain on the roster as they try to bring home that elusive chalice is tempting, and may lead to an extension before the season is out. If not, Rinne would have plenty of suitors willing to give him one last multi-year deal to see if he can push them over the top, especially if he continues to play at such a high level now that he’s back from injury.

Eeli Tolvanen Expected To Stay In North America For Full Season

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After Eeli Tolvanen lit up the KHL as a teenager last season, some expected him to step right into the NHL and not look back. His chance came at the end of the season with the Nashville Predators, but after some struggles in three outings was kept off the playoff roster entirely. Tolvanen would get another chance at training camp this summer, but ended up sent to the Milwaukee Admirals to work on his game at the minor league level. That assignment came with a catch though, as Tolvanen’s entry-level contract has a clause in it which would allow him to return to the KHL after ten AHL games if he so chose.

Tolvanen has now played eight games in the minor leagues and will reach the ten mark this weekend, but isn’t expected to be going anywhere. Pierre LeBrun said as much on the most recent edition of TSN’s Insider Trading, and as Paul Skrbina writes for the Tennessean, Tolvanen this week even told a Finnish radio station outright that he’d be staying in North America.

Obviously things could change over the next few days, but Tolvanen staying in North America is good news for the Predators as it means they’ll have the chance to monitor his development more closely. It also means that they will be able to recall him at a moment’s notice if they feel he’s grown enough to compete at the NHL level, which is likely why he wants to stay close as well. The 19-year old is armed with a wicked shot and excellent offensive instincts, but has to learn how to create more chances for himself instead of just waiting for an opportunity to let a shot fly. He does have five assists (and one goal) in eight minor league games, and continues to take steps towards his eventual NHL ceiling. For now, he’ll stay in the AHL and learn to dominate on North American ice just like he did last season for Jokerit.

Minor Transactions: 10/22/18

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Another week is underway in the NHL and the Nashville Predators find themselves alone in first place with 14 points. Their +12 goal differential also leads the league, as they look to repeat as Presidents Trophy winners this year. While all the other teams around the league try to catch them, we’ll keep track of the minor moves made to get them a little closer.

Overseas Notes: Tolvanen, Wolski, Phelps

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A decision is looming for the Nashville Predators. As TSN’s Bob McKenzie again noted in yesterday’s “Insider Trading” segment, forward Eeli Tolvanen has a European Assignment Clause that would allow him to leave North America after ten games in the AHL. When Tolvanen failed to break camp and was assigned to the Milwaukee Admirals, the countdown began. After last night, Tolvanen has skated in all six of the Admirals games and would hit ten by the end of a busy four-game stretch next week. The 2017 first-round pick came over from Jokerit of the KHL late last season and played in three regular season games for the Predators, but did not see the ice in the postseason. He was then expected to be an impact player in Nashville this year, but did not make enough of an impression in the preseason. While the Predators may be equally as disappointed in the situation as Tolvanen, it is the Finnish forward who holds all the leverage. If he opts to leave and return to the KHL, where he would make a much higher salary and play a more important role, he can’t return to the NHL this season. Nashville would lose a valued depth asset for nothing for the remainder of the year. Can and will they offer Tolvanen a full-time spot on the NHL roster? Or will the young forward see the developmental value in remaining in the AHL? If the answer to both of these questions is “no”, a budding star will soon depart from North America this season.

  • Could Wojtek Wolski be eyeing a return to North America? It seems unlikely for the former Colorado Avalanche star, who has played in the KHL for parts of the last six seasons. However, Wolski and his most recent club, Mettalurg Magnitogorsk, have come to a mutual agreement on the termination of his contract, the team announced. Wolski has been a valued hired gun in the KHL for some time now, but as he enters the twilight of his career – now 32 years old with a lot of tread on the tires – Wolski could try to land a gig in the AHL or even NHL in an attempt to get back to the top level of pro hockey before his playing days are done. He certainly put on a good show for NHL eyes on the international stage last season, leading Team Canada in goals at the Olympic Games. Wolski last played in the NHL in 2012-13 with the Washington Capitals and was far from the 50-point form he showed early in his career with the Avs, but was nevertheless a serviceable player. Don’t rule out the possibility that he tries his hand at a return. Even if he doesn’t, he won’t remain unemployed for very long.
  • Former Boston University forward Chase Phelps has made an interesting career move. A four-year starter for the Terriers, the undrafted Phelps was seemingly unable to land a job in North America this off-season, not showing up on any training camp rosters either. The checking forward was a reliable defensive asset for BU for four years, even if his offensive production never matched up with his USHL No. 21 overall pick tag. Yet, Phelps has found a team willing to give him a chance. French club Anglet has signed the two-way forward, the team announced. Located in the south of France, Anglet plays in the French premiere league, the “Synerglace Ligue Magnus”. Phelps was once a standout for Shattuck St. Mary’s; now moving on from the uber-competitive Hockey East Conference to the French pro ranks, perhaps he can re-discover that scoring touch.

Nashville Predators Place Pekka Rinne On Injured Reserve

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The Nashville Predators have placed goaltender Pekka Rinne on injured reserve after leaving Friday night’s game in Calgary, according to TSN’s Ryan Rishaug. The transaction means that Rinne will be out a minimum of three games and won’t be able to return until next Saturday against Edmonton.

Rinne exited the ice early in the third period soon after colliding with teammate Kevin Fiala as the two got tangled up on Sam Bennett’s goal 2:20 minutes into the period. Rinne stayed in for another 2:43 seconds before finally being replaced by Juuse Saros. According to the Tennessean’s Paul Skrbina, head coach Peter Laviolette said it wasn’t the team’s or Rinne’s decision to leave the game. He left due to the league’s concussion protocol.

“We didn’t pull him, so something was wrong,” Laviolette said.

Saros is expected to fill in for the Predators for tonight’s game against Edmonton. The team intends to recall Miroslav Svoboda from Atlanta of the ECHL for tonight’s game, adds Rishaug, but considering that he’s in Atlanta and the game in Edmonton, it might be a challenge to get him there by game time.

It’s a big loss for the Predators. Rinne, last year’s Vezina Trophy winner, is 3-1 through five starts this year, posting a 2.10 GAA and an impressive .929 save percentage. The team is lucky to have Saros, who is Rinne’s eventual successor, although Nashville has been discussing an extension with Rinne recently. Saros has won all three of his appearances this season and boasts a 2.23 GAA and a .919 save percentage. Svoboda, the team’s seventh-rounder in 2015, has been impressive in two appearances in the ECHL, posting a 1.50 GAA and a .946 save percentage.

Predators Begin Extension Talks With Pekka Rinne

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The Predators have started preliminary discussions regarding a potential contract extension for starting goaltender Pekka Rinne, TSN’s Bob McKenzie reported in an appearance on NBCSN (video link).

Rinne is in the final season of a seven-year, $49MM contract and in that time, he has established himself in the upper echelon of goalies around the league while he is the reigning Vezina Trophy winner.  However, he turns 36 next month which means any new deal is going to carry a little bit of extra risk due to the 35-plus designation.

Nashville also has Juuse Saros in the fold, locked up on a three-year, $4.5MM contract.  He has long been viewed as their goalie of the future and some had wondered if they might be considering beginning that transition this season.  These talks would seemingly put that idea on hold though.

Looking ahead to next year, the Predators shouldn’t have too much difficulty fitting a new deal for Rinne.  They have a little over $64MM committed to 17 players for 2019-20 per CapFriendly and don’t have many other expiring contracts of note (wingers Kevin Fiala, Ryan Hartman, as well as center Colton Sissons are the other regulars in need of new deals).

While that would make a one-year extension feasible, their payroll situation gets a little more complicated in 2020-21 when defenseman Roman Josi and winger Craig Smith are eligible for unrestricted free agency.  Locking up those two will cost a fair bit more than the $8.25MM they’re currently receiving; new deals for them and a multi-year pact for Rinne could push Nashville near the $70MM mark for just 13 players (not including new deals for Fiala, Hartman, and Sissons) which will push them very close to the salary cap once they fill out the rest of their roster.

With that in mind, it wouldn’t be surprising if Nashville GM David Poile tried to get Rinne to go year-to-year to mitigate some risk and create an opportunity to do bonus-laden deals to help navigate the salary cap concerns.  However, at the same time, it’s hard to imagine that Rinne would forego a shot at the open market without some sort of multi-year commitment from the team.  With talks at the early stage, there’s still a long way to go but this should be an interesting negotiation to keep tabs on in the weeks and months ahead.

Austin Watson’s Suspension Reduced To 18 Games

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The arbitrator has made a decision in Nashville Predators forward Austin Watson’s appeal of his 27-game suspension, and has reduced it to cover the first 18 games of this season. Watson has already sat three games this year, and will now be eligible to return on November 15th against the Arizona Coyotes. The Predators have issued a statement following the decision:

Our organization was not involved in the appeal of Austin Watson’s 27-game suspension, but we are aware of its reduction to 18 games. As previously stated, our focus has and will continue to be the health and well-being of Austin and his family.

Watson was suspended earlier this offseason following his no-contest plea for domestic assault in July. The arbitrator in this case was Shyam Das, who came to some notoriety in sports circles after overturning Ryan Braun’s 50-game MLB suspension and then subsequently being fired by the league. The decision from the arbitrator in this case cannot be overturned by the league, however on Friday they did release this statement:

We have reviewed Arbitrator Shyam Das’ opinion in the NHLPA’s appeal of Austin Watson’s suspension for domestic assault which reduced the League-imposed suspension of 27 games to 18 games. We are disappointed with the Arbitrator’s decision. We firmly believe that the right of appeal to an arbitrator of League discipline was never intended to substitute the arbitrator’s judgment for that of the Commissioner, particularly on matters of important League policy and the articulation of acceptable standards of conduct for individuals involved in the National Hockey League.

The NHL remains committed to continuing to do what we believe is right. And, in this regard, we intend to continue our steadfast efforts to ensure everyone in our League is adequately educated and sensitized to the importance of this serious social issue. We will not hesitate to adhere to and enforce–through firm discipline as necessary–the standards of personal conduct we feel are appropriate for our League.

Though very different situations, this reduction may play into a potential neutral arbitration for suspended Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson. Wilson will first have Gary Bettman hear his appeal, but can then move to a neutral arbitrator to try and have it reduced. The Watson reduction does by no means mean a reduction for Wislon is guaranteed, but it could be used during the process.

Sabres Acquire Jack Dougherty From Predators For Nicholas Baptiste

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The Sabres and Predators have swapped minor leaguers.  Buffalo has acquired defenseman Jack Dougherty from Nashville in exchange for winger Nicholas Baptiste.  Both teams have announced the trade.

Dougherty was a second-round pick of the Predators back in 2014 (51st overall) but has yet to make it to the NHL level over his first two professional seasons.  Last year, he suited up in 63 games with their AHL affiliate in Milwaukee, collecting 13 points (1-12-13).  The 22-year-old is in the final year of his entry-level contract and carries a cap hit of $695K.  He is also waiver-exempt for the entire season so if Buffalo needs him during the season, they can bring him up and send him down without having to expose him to the wire.

Meanwhile, Baptiste split last season between the Sabres and AHL Rochester.  In 33 games with Buffalo, he picked up four goals and two assists while averaging 9:58 per night of ice time in largely a fourth line role.  He was a bit more productive at the minor league level, tallying 18 points (7-11-18) in 36 contests with the Americans.

The 23-year-old has a total of 47 career NHL games under his belt, all with the Sabres.  Unlike Daugherty, he is eligible for waivers but passed through unclaimed on Sunday and will likely report to Milwaukee.  Baptiste is on a one-year deal that pays just under $788K in the NHL and will be a restricted free agent next summer.

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