The Nashville Predators are in a pivotal offseason. They’re stuck between competing for the Stanley Cup and for the first overall pick, and they’re probably closer to the former option. With new general manager (GM) Chris MacFarland at the helm, the Predators must choose a direction, and MacFarland could make some moves this offseason to get there.
His first move as GM was trading for Colorado Avalanche forward Ross Colton. The move serves as a reunion with the player and GM while also adding a great energy forward for head coach Andrew Brunette, who’s staying for another season. Regardless, there’s more the Predators need to figure out this offseason.
Key Unrestricted Free Agents
Erik Haula
The Colton trade probably gave the Predators a reason to let Erik Haula hit the open market, and while he was good for Nashville, this is hardly surprising. The Predators acquired the 35-year-old Finnish center from the New Jersey Devils, with Haula coming off a disappointing 11-goal, 10-assist season with the Devils.
He bounced back this season, with 14 goals and 24 assists through 81 games. While the plus/minus doesn’t show it (minus-15), he was still good defensively, earning time on the penalty kill. He even showed out on an international stage, with three goals and three assists in six games for Finland in the Olympics.
At this point, Haula is a solid bottom-six center who can win faceoffs, is capable on both sides of the rink, and can probably score around 10 goals and add 20 assists for a good team. The Columbus Blue Jackets could use someone like him, since they were in the bottom five in penalty kill percentage last season (76.02%). He’s projected to get a one-year contract worth around $3.32 million by AFP Analytics.
Tyson Jost
Tyson Jost was picked up on waivers from the Carolina Hurricanes in the fall, and while he won’t reach the potential his first-round selection would suggest for him, he’s still good depth to have. Jost was a winger for Nashville for most of the season, although he has the capability to play center.
Whether that’s due to the shallow depth Nashville has or his own abilities, Jost did his part, scoring eight goals and notching eight assists through 69 games. That’s the most games he’s played since the 2018-19 season, which was just his third season in the NHL.
Regardless, the Predators have plenty of young bottom-six type forwards (Ozzy Wiesblatt, Zachary L’Heureaux), so Jost will probably walk, too. The 28-year-old is projected to get a one-year contract north of $1.09 million, and while there are ties to MacFarland from their time in Colorado together, I doubt he signs that contract in Nashville.
Other Key UFAs: Jordan Oesterle, Andreas Englund, Kevin Gravel
Key Restricted Free Agents
Justin Barron
Justin Barron was acquired in the trade that sent Alexandre Carrier to the Montreal Canadiens. Unfortunately, Nashville looks like the loser of the deal, as Carrier has emerged as a second-pair defenseman for the contending Canadiens. Still, Barron did well in Nashville this past season.
He had no goals and nine assists through 52 games, with a plus/minus of minus-1 and decent advanced analytics. But Barron does have some competition. Defenseman Ryan Ufko emerged as a solid young defenseman last season, with two goals and nine assists through 18 games. The Predators also still have another year of Nick Perbix, who struggled in his first season in Nashville.
MacFarland could roll the dice and try out Barron in a bigger role, but it’s worth noting that he traded Barron for Artturi Lehkonen when they were both in Colorado. Regardless, Barron is going to earn a raise from his $1.15 million contract.
Extension-Eligible Players
Luke Evangelista
This is a contract the Predators could iron out this offseason. Luke Evangelista is heading into arbitration in the 2026-27 season.
The 24-year-old broke out, notching 12 goals and 44 assists through 81 games. His 56 points were 17 more than he ever had in the NHL, and he is the undisputed top right-winger on the team. He’s also still young, so it wouldn’t make sense for the Predators to get rid of him.
Evangelista will earn a raise from the $3 million a year he’s making with the Predators now, and it’ll probably be through a long-term contract. AFP Analytics thinks he could make over $7.8 million a year for six years, which would be reasonable considering their cap space and his value.
Ryan O’Reilly
Ryan O’Reilly’s contract decision, meanwhile, will probably head towards a departure one way or another. At 36 years old, he has more value on a contending team than Nashville. Everyone wants a veteran center with Stanley Cup experience, leadership, and great two-way abilities, even with his advanced age.
If the Predators did sign him to an extension, AFP Analytics suggests he could get a two-year deal worth below $5 million a year. He could probably earn more, if only because he hasn’t regressed yet, even though all signs have pointed towards it. However, he has considerable trade value with Nashville right now, and he has no trade protection.
Adam Wilsby
Adam Wilsby’s contract might be tougher to sketch out for Nashville this offseason. The 25-year-old defenseman did alright in his first full season in the NHL.
He scored a goal and got 15 assists in 58 games. He was signed to a $775k-per-year contract by Barry Trotz and company, but he’s going to earn a considerable raise, especially since he’s arbitration-eligible.
AFP Analytics suggests that he could get around $3.35 million a year for three years. He looks like one of the long-term options as a defenseman, and if he keeps improving, he’ll be well worth that contract. This isn’t one of the biggest priorities for Nashville, though.
Nick Perbix
Similar to O’Reilly, Perbix is also a free agent after the 2026-27 season. As with O’Reilly, I think he and the Predators head for a departure, even if he’s just 28.
Perbix had a disappointing first season in Nashville. He ended up with three goals and 10 assists through 79 games, and his minus-14 plus/minus was the second-lowest among defensemen in Nashville (Roman Josi had a minus-15).
Something that is working out in his favor is that the Predators don’t have many right-shot defensemen in the prospect pipeline, and Barron is a restricted free agent (RFA) this offseason. Perbix would be more of a trade deadline departure, and that would work out better if he rebounds to form.
Matthew Wood
Matthew Wood is approaching his first NHL contract since his entry-level contract. The 21-year-old fit right in with the Predators last season, with 17 goals and 13 assists in 71 games.
That could warrant an extension from Nashville, even through a bridge contract. AFP Analytics thinks he can get a two-year deal worth over $2.75 million per year, and that’d be a great move for Nashville. Wood could progress even further next season with more minutes on the first line if O’Reilly or Steven Stamkos gets traded.
Ryan Ufko
Right-shot defenseman Ufko deserves a mention for the fine way he ended last season. At 23 years old, time was running out for him to become a full NHLer.
He was promoted at the end of the 2025-26 season, and he didn’t look back. He had two goals and nine points through 18 NHL games, and in 52 games in the American Hockey League (AHL), he had 11 goals and 33 points.
Other Extension Eligible Players: Ozzy Wiesblatt, Joakim Kemell, Cole O’Hara, Reid Schaefer, Ryan Ufko
Projected Cap Space
The Predators are in a good place with cap space management. They have over $23 million in cap space, which should be enough to re-sign Barron, give extensions to Evangelista and Wilsby, and give Matthew Wood and Ryan Ufko bridge deals.
With that being said, it would be wise to try at least to part ways with a bloated contract. Jonathan Marchessault is a solid candidate to be bought out if he isn’t traded, and Skjei could be as well, even if he’s still an OK second-pair defenseman.
No matter what happens, the Predators are in transition. They are an interesting mix between youth and veteran leadership, but their prospect pool is a year or two from shoring up the team, and they don’t have a generational talent. This offseason will be a pivotal one for MacFarland to get right.
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