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Brady Skjei Signs With Nashville Predators

Christopher Bagdonas / NHL / July 1, 2024

Brady Skjei Signs with Nashville Predators

Barry Trotz is pushing his chips to the middle of the table. He opened up an oodle of cap space with the Nashville Predators and he is using it. After adding both Steven Stamkos AND Jonathan Marchessault, they are adding former Canes defenseman Brady Skjei to a seven-year deal. Frank Seravalli confirmed the total was going to be $49 million:

Sources say #preds have agreed to terms with D Brady Skjei: 7 years x $7 million.@DailyFaceoff
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) July 1, 2024

Skjei is a solid top-four blue liner. He should fit in nicely to the spot left behind by Ryan McDonagh. From one playoff team to another, the former Rangers defenseman should not miss a beat as he plays for Andrew Brunette:

Brady Skjei, signed 7x$7M by NSH, is a defence-first top four defenceman who manages the puck well and has a great shot. #Preds pic.twitter.com/Ve8ePynSxo
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) July 1, 2024

In this market, these types of players will cost you this kind of money. Former Panthers blueliner Brandon Montour landed with Seattle for just a million more dollars. At age 30, Skjei also just put up a career-high 47 points last season so he was gonna get a raise one way or another. The Minnesota native is used to winning at this point and makes the team in Nashville fascinating to watch.

Canes Need A Jolt

What is Eric Tulsky doing? We are currently watching a mass exodus leave Carolina. If he misses the boat on more big names this could be a hole that’s very difficult to dig out of. The list right now is crazy: Guentzel, Pesce, Teravainen, and now Skjei. They did replenish it slightly with William Carrier, but they need some more high-end talent. Keep an eye on how they respond to these many moves.