Trotz: Saros 'absolutely' a part of Predators' future plans
The Predators have undergone quite the transformation during Barry Trotz's first few months as general manager, but the executive made one thing clear: Netminder Juuse Saros is "absolutely" a part of Nashville's plans moving forward.
"I think he's a special goaltender," Trotz told The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun. "Obviously, he's created his own little legacy. We've been blessed with great goaltending in Nashville. It started with Tomas Vokoun, then Pekka Rinne, and hopefully Juuse for the future."
Saros has two seasons remaining on his current four-year, $20-million deal and will be eligible to sign a new pact next July. Even though Trotz can't actually get Saros to put pen to paper just yet, it's still something that's on his mind.
"I've already reached out to (Saros' agent) Kevin Epp and their group (to) see what their thoughts are on talking," he said.
Saros enjoyed yet another outstanding campaign with the Predators in 2022-23 and finished fourth in Vezina Trophy voting behind finalists Connor Hellebuyck, Ilya Sorokin, and Linus Ullmark. Saros owned a 33-23-7 record to go along with a .919 save percentage and 2.69 goals against average while ranking second among all goalies in goals saved above expected (45.49) at all strengths, per Evolving-Hockey. He also faced a league-high 2,099 shots last season.
The 28-year-old has appeared in over 60 games for the Predators in each of the last two campaigns, and his 71 wins over that span are the third most in the NHL. He was named a finalist for the Vezina Trophy for the first time in his career in 2021-22.
Nashville is in the midst of a retooling phase after missing the playoffs for the first time since 2013-14. David Poile, who served as the Predators' GM since the team was awarded an expansion franchise in 1997, officially stepped down in June, paving the way for Trotz to take the helm.
The Predators then embarked on an interesting summer that saw them buy out the final three seasons of Matt Duchene's contract, trade Ryan Johansen to the Colorado Avalanche, and reel in a couple of Stanley Cup champions in Ryan O'Reilly and Luke Schenn on the free-agent market.
The puck drops on Nashville's 2023-24 campaign on Oct. 10 against the Tampa Bay Lightning.