The Predators have signed the 26 year old forward to a one year deal.
The Predators have signed the 26 year old forward to a one year deal.
Today the Nashville Predators announced they have signed forward Denis Gurianov to a one year, $850,000 deal.
Gurianov was drafted by the Dallas Stars with the 12th overall pick in the 2015 draft. He played 22 games between 2016 and 2019 before a breakout full season in 2019-2020. In his 64 games that season, Gurianov scored 20 goals and 29 points. The 6 foot 3 forward helped lead the Stars to the Stanley Cup Finals, finishing that postseason second in goals on the team.
Gurianov racked up 30 points in the COVID shortened 2020-2021 season for Dallas and hit his career high in points the following season with 31. The Russian forward was traded at the trade deadline to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Evgenii Dadanov. In his final 23 games in Montreal, Gurianov scored five goals and eight points.
The signing is an interesting move for GM Barry Trotz, although one that costs the Predators just $850,000. It does raise questions about where new head coach Andrew Brunette may slot Gurianov in the lineup. He finished the season moving up and down the lineup with the Habs and could earn a variety of playing time in a changing Predators roster. Nashville will look for improved offensive consistency from the 26 year old this season, and the Predators are hoping a fresh start sparks that.
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