Reports: Predators Making Big Move With Juuse Saros

Nashville Predators GM Barry Trotz has been telling anyone who would listen that he was not inclined to trade star goaltender Juuse Saros this summer. Turns out, it wasn’t a negotiating ploy, as word from a number of sources late Thursday night has the Preds and Saros agreeing on a huge 8-year extension.

Details still being worked out but the framework of an 8-year deal has been agreed to between the Predators and Saros.
GM Barry Trotz was always confident he could get it done.
First to report, @FriedgeHNIC

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 28, 2024

The deal is said to be worth $7.74 million annually over 8 years according to The Athletic, and the signing is planned for Monday.

Saros’s name was on the rumor mill as a result of the Preds having one of the top goalie prospects in hockey, Yaroslav Askarov, nearly ready for NHL duty. Does this new extension with Juice relegate Askorov to backup status for the foreseeable future, or will he look for a new opportunity (albeit, as a restricted free agent) after his entry-level deal expires at the end of next season?

Saros didn’t have his best season this past year, but he has led the NHL in games played for three consecutive seasons, in total saves for the past two years, and has finished in the top 6 in Vezina Trophy balloting for four straight years. He has a career .917 save percentage along with a 2.63 goals against average across nine seasons.

Photo:  Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports