Predators GM Takes Unequivocal Stance On Juuse Saros’s Future

The trade talk has been out there: with the Nashville Predators in a re-tooling phase, perennial Vezina Trophy contender Juuse Saros has been floated in rumors for some time now. 

Just last week, however, it was noted by hockey insider Pierre LeBrun that the Predators were not planning to trade the goaltender this season. But now Preds GM Barry Trotz has gone one step further. He told LeBrun that he wants Saros to be the heart and soul of the next contending Predators team.

I met with his agent, I’d like to re-sign him, I told them that’s our intention. We’re obviously in a little bit of a re-tool type of situation and when we get reset here, I’d like him to be part of the backbone.

I understand that there’s (trade) rumors out there. There’ll be rumors from the top teams, but that’s not our intention with Saros.

Backing that up, says LeBrun, the Preds actually turned down "a pretty strong offer for Saros last year". They very much want the 28-year-old netminder to be a part of the re-tool, not a casualty of it. 

And while his numbers have understandably taken a bit of a dip this season, Saros has finished among the top six vote-getters for the Vezina as the league's top goalie for three straight seasons. 

In his eight years in the NHL, he holds a 151-104-27 record, with equally impressive marks of a 2.60 GAA and a .918 SV%. 

The Preds hope to re-sign him to an extension next summer, before he enters his walk year, and they're pretty confident they can pull it off.

Photo: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports