The Predators are keeping Wiesblatt in the system for another couple of years through his development.
The Predators are keeping Wiesblatt in the system for another couple of years through his development.
The Nashville Predators have signed Ozzy Wiesblatt to a two-year extension according to general manager Barry Trotz. The deal is a two-way contract with a cap hit of $775,000 AAV.
Wiesblatt is not nearly NHL-ready yet, but he is a solid prospect to at least have in the system. Prior to the Predators acquiring him this past off-season, he was loaned to the Milwaukee Admirals to get more playing time on a better team.
The winger is in the final year of his entry-level deal and was acquired for the signing rights to Yegor Afanasyev who ended up not even signing with the San Jose Sharks.
The Predators liked what they saw with Wiesblatt last season despite his scoring touch just not being where it can be. He scored just one goal and recorded six points in 16 games for the Predators' AHL team last season after coming over and is up to two assists in six games this season.
Wiesblatt is a former first round pick that was able to amass 17 goals and 69 points in 66 games in his final two seasons in the WHL, but his performance in the playoffs last season for Milwaukee was definitely a reason why Nashville signed him for two years. Wiesblatt scored two goals and nine points in 15 games during that run.
Some of the other top prospects in the Predators' system have graduated this season, opening up space. While he could break out offensively eventually, his all around game is what is keeping him at this level. This two-way deal should give him some time to iron everything out and start to push towards an NHL debut down the line.
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