There are few elite goalies that can compare to Saros and it appears as though the Predators' starter is waiting for one to sign a deal first.
Contract discussions between the Nashville Predators and Juuse Saros may not come to an end anytime soon. However long it takes for the Predators to get something done, I think they have to risk it since a goaltender of this caliber doesn't come along very often.
We see teams struggle to find adequate netminding for years and the Predators were able to go from Pekka Rinne to Saros seamlessly without even struggling in net for a year. While the hope is that eventually Yaroslav Askarov can take over and be the next in line to be a franchise goalie in Nashville, nothing is for certain and the Predators have to hold onto what they have.
According to Elliotte Friedman, Saros isn't likely to sign his next deal with the Predators until Igor Shesterkin of the New York Rangers inks a new contract. This could be trouble, but not if the Rangers can extend Shesterkin this summer or even during next season.
Both Saros and Shesterkin have one year left on their deals and are UFAs in 2025. Shesterkin makes $666k more per year than Saros right now, but both are very good goalies. The two key things that separate the two and prices Shesterkin higher is a Vezina Trophy and his incredible playoff performances. Teams in front of both come into account, but Shesterkin has a .928 SV% in the playoffs while Saros has a .911 SV%.
A Vezina Trophy goes a long way in contract discussions, but while Shesterkin has a .914 SV% over the past two regular seasons, Saros has a .913 SV%. I would bet that the Rangers are going to waste no time in locking down Shesterkin this summer because of how well he's played in the postseason to give the team a chance at winning.
Saros' agent might look for the same number as Shesterkin, but I highly doubt he will get that, even with the money available in Nashville. Saros is a very important piece for the Predators, but there is a bit of pressure behind him the better Askarov continues to do. The young goalie still needs a couple of years before he should be able to take the number one job if everything goes according to plan.
However it turns out behind Saros, he is the current number one and one of the best goalies in the league. The Predators should absolutely wait as there isn't any indication he wants to leave.
Recent Predators News
Should the Predators Really Re-Sign Jason Zucker?
Podcast: Juuse Saros Trade Rumors, NHL Draft Primer & Stanley Cup Final Preview
Nashville Predators' First Offseason Trade Could Come at the Draft