Juuse Saros Faces an Uncertain Off-Season With the Nashville Predators

Juuse Saros could've been a top goaltender moved at the NHL trade deadline, but the Predators are in the playoff hunt. That pushes the uncertainty of his future to the summer.

Juuse Saros and his Nashville Predators are firmly focused on strengthening their hold on a wild-card berth in the Western Conference. However, the 28-year-old goaltender can expect plenty of speculation over his future following the post-season.

Saros has a year remaining on his contract and is eligible for UFA status next July. He carries an average annual value of $5 million and lacks no-trade protection.

As a result, Saros was a frequent subject of trade speculation leading up to last Friday's trade deadline. Predators GM Barry Trotz said he wasn't shopping Saros but acknowledged receiving calls about his starting goalie.

No club seemed willing to pay what was believed to be Trotz's high asking price. With the Predators holding a playoff berth, they held on to Saros.

The Hockey News' Emma Lingan cited Trotz saying he wouldn't accept offers for Saros containing “inadequate” or “unproven” assets from other clubs. The Predators GM can open contract extension talks with his starter on July 1 but he doesn't see that date as a deadline to decide Saros' future.

Nevertheless, The Tennessean's Alex Daugherty suggested a trade was as likely as a contract extension. 

“I can give you a bunch of situations,” said Trotz. “If something comes along from now until July 1, then maybe that situation gets defined and clear.”

The New Jersey Devils expressed an interest in Saros before the trade deadline. GM Tom Fitzgerald made clear his intention this summer is to shop for a proven starting goaltender.

Rob Crouch cited The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun suggesting Fitzgerald could revisit his interest in Saros and the Calgary Flames' Jacob Markstrom. LeBrun wondered if the Predators would re-sign Saros and have him share the goalie duties with promising Yaroslav Askarov or trade him rather than risk him walking away as a free agent.

Saros will finish this season with the Predators. However, his future with the club could be a hot topic in the off-season rumor mill.