The Nashville Predators filled their team up to the brim by making some great additions and signing current players. But their jump from mediocre to contenders was a quick one, resulting in lack of cap space to do much of anything else this offseason. With the additions of Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, Brady Skjei, and the re-signing of Alexandre Carrier, the Predators have just $600,000 left with a 20-man roster, partially because nearly $12 million is being eaten up by buyouts and retained salary in past trades. Nashville Predators general manager Barry Trotz speaks to the media following a busy first day of free agency on July 1, 2024. The Predators will have more than 20 players on their roster next season and have three RFAs to sign and add to that roster in Spencer Stastney, Philip Tomasino, and Juuso Parssinen. Even if all are given $1 million AAV or less, this would still entail clearing well over $2 million before the season. It just so happens there's a less useful player that has a cap hit of $2.5 million AAV, Cody Glass. The Predators thought Glass was going to build on the breakout season he had in 2022-23, but instead he struggled greatly to even get into every game and finished last season with six goals and 13 points in 41 games. Glass is not suited to play center on the second line next season for the Predators, especially when the team is in win-now mode and there are better and more proven options like Stamkos, Tommy Novak, and Colton Sissons. Glass' cap hit was fine for a Predators team that was well under the salary cap last season, but now Barry Trotz has to get more creative and free up space. Stastney will be an essential piece to the seven-man defensive unit Nashville is going to run next season, whether he plays everyday or not. Tomasino and Parssinen are ready and have to take the next step onto the Predators, but also need new contracts to do so. Nashville Predators forward Cody Glass speaks to the media following the conclusion of the 2023-24 season. The three RFAs that should earn spots in Nashville next season combined for 105 games. Parssinen or Tomasino should take the roster spot of Glass in 2024-25. Glass' entire cap hit won't be buried if he is placed on waivers at the start of the season. This won't allow the Predators to sign and hold Stastney, Tomasino, and Parssinen on the roster at once, exposing one or more of them. It is essential for the Predators to give all three RFAs contracts and a shot in the NHL all season as Glass hasn't proved he should stay and is a cap casualty that has to happen. RECENT PREDATORS NEWS Nashville Predators Went From Inexperienced to 3rd-Oldest NHL Team [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-news/nashville-predators-went-from-inexperienced-to-3rd-oldest-nhl-team] Podcast: Could the Predators Still Trade for Patrik Laine? [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/podcasts/podcast-could-the-predators-still-trade-for-patrik-laine] After 2 Decades in Purgatory, Nashville Predators Are Built to Break Through [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-news/after-2-decades-in-purgatory-nashville-predators-are-built-to-break-through] 2024 NHL Draft Spotlight, Brought to You by Upper Deck: Yegor Surin [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-news/2024-nhl-draft-spotlight-brought-to-you-by-upper-deck-yegor-surin]
