The Nashville Predators were the clear winners on Day 1 of the NHL free agent frenzy. How did that impact their rating in the NHL video game?
“How much do you want? What kind of term do you want? Yeah, we can give you that, here you go.”
That was probably the Nashville Predators GM Barry Trotz speaking on the phone with the agents for Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Brady Skjei, as the Preds went out shopping on Day 1 of the NHL free agency period.
No other NHL team did as well as Nashville as they landed two 40+ goal scorers and a top four puck moving two-way defenseman.
Now, just exactly how much better did the Predators get after all their signings today?
We broke it down in our video looking at the quality and overall of last year’s roster compared to what it currently looks like now after all the moves.
No surprise here, the game has them upgrading significantly in their offense rating and getting out from being one of the lowest-rated teams in the NHL video game.
Out the door for the team were Ryan McDonagh (85 overall), Tyson Barrie (82), Jason Zucker (82), Kevin Lankinen (82), Anthony Beauvillier (81), and Kieffer Sherwood (79).
Brought in were Steven Stamkos (90), Jonathan Marchessault (88), Brady Skjei (86), and Scott Wedgewood (82).
The team made a few other depth signings in Jacob Lucchini, Vinnie Hinostroza, and Nick Blakenburg. But those players are roster-fillers in case of injuries so we did not include them in our moves.
Are the Preds now a top-three team in the Central Division? Could they contend for first place against Colorado and Dallas?