Less than a week later, the contracts of Nashville Predators players came under renewed scrutiny by analyst Dom Luszczyszyn. After Nic Hague and Brady Skjei claimed they held two of the worst contracts in the NHL, Luszczyszyn ranked the Predators 30th out of 32 in his NHL contract efficiency rankings. He noted, “No team would spend less than the Predators, whose total surplus value is minus $63 million.”
Age is the major concern highlighted, with the Predators betting heavily on aging players who have struggled to perform in the recent season. Luszczyszyn pointed out that high-profile signings like Stephen Stankos, Brady Skjei, and Jonathan Marchessault did not deliver last season. The Predators signed Stamkos to a four-year, $32 million contract, meaning he’ll be nearly 40 by its end. After a 28-point drop last season, Stamkos needs a strong rebound year or the contract may turn out to be a disappointment. Although he is a top player of his era, his recent decline suggests he may be nearing the twilight of his career. The contract seemed reasonable initially, but the Predators risk overspending on stars past their prime.
The same situation may apply to Marchessault, whom Nashville signed to a five-year, $27.5 million deal after Vegas declined to sign him due to his age (38). He too saw a 13-point decline this season. Skjei was signed with hopes he could compensate for Josi’s reduced output on defense. Despite his improved stats since 2021-22, Nashville still gave Skjei a hefty seven-year, $49 million contract. His 33 points are solid but 14 points less than before. Like Josi, Skjei needs a bounce-back season to justify the long-term investment or else the team could be burdened with expensive contracts for aging players.
On defense, new additions Hague and Purvix were intended to strengthen the lineup. Purvix’s two-year, $5.5 million deal is reasonable for a defender who produces around 20 points per season, though he’s unlikely to become a star. Hague’s four-year, $22 million contract is more questionable. Expected to be a top-four defenseman in Nashville, Hague has struggled throughout his career, mostly playing in lower pairings in Vegas and posting the lowest plus/minus rating on their defense last season. This acquisition appears insignificant.
The Predators also reclaimed players previously waived last season, including Andreas Englund, Jordan Oesterle, and Jakub Vrana. Englund and Oesterle are in the final year of their modest $775,000 contracts but offer limited impact, with Englund drawing penalties and Oesterle contributing little statistically. The Predators might consider waiving or trading them again as keeping them in the lineup may not be justified.
Luszczyszyn also discussed goaltender Juuse Saros, one of Finland’s top NHL goalies, who struggled last season with a save percentage of .896 and a goals-against average (GAA) of 2.97—the lowest marks of his career so far. His GAA has risen over the past four seasons, and a strong rebound is needed to maintain his status among the league’s elite. Saros, signed to a $6.192 million contract over eight years, will be 38 by the contract’s end.
Overall, the Predators seem to be banking on players in their early to mid-30s making comebacks—a risky strategy given performance typically declines at this age and often leads to retirement. On a positive note, the team’s strength lies in drafting and building for the future. Many prospects remain outside the current system, and managing this pool wisely could pay dividends down the road. However, there is still uncertainty around securing a proper contract for Luke Evangelista, with negotiations ongoing and concerns that no deal has been finalized yet. General Manager Barry Trotz noted that Evangelista’s agent was unhappy with the initial contract terms.
Luszczyszyn’s key question is whether the Predators have made the right contract decisions, and the verdict seems to be no.
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Fan Take: This analysis highlights the dangers of long-term contracts for aging players in the NHL, which can hamper a team’s salary cap flexibility and future competitiveness. For hockey fans, watching how the Predators navigate this challenge could serve as a cautionary tale about balancing veteran signings with building a strong, youthful core—vital for the sport’s evolving landscape.
