The Nashville Predators announced today that they have signed defenseman Adam Wilsby to a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 at the NHL level. Wilsby, 23, posted a career-high 21 points (8 goals, 13 assists) in 61 games during his second full season with the AHL's Milwaukee Admirals in 2023-24. His eight goals were tied for the team lead among Milwaukee blueliners. Nashville Predators general manager Barry Trotz speaks to the media following a busy first day of free agency on July 1, 2024. Wilsby helped the Admirals reach the Western Conference Final of the Calder Cup Playoffs for the second straight season, tallying three assists in 15 postseason games. In two seasons with Milwaukee, Wilsby has skated in 133 games and recorded 39 points (9 goals, 30 assists). Originally drafted by Nashville in the fourth round (No. 101 overall) of the 2020 NHL Draft, Wilsby is one of five restricted free agents to receive a qualifying offer from the Predators this offseason and the first to sign a new contract with the team. Defensemen Marc Del Gaizo and Spencer Stastney and forwards Philip Tomasino and Juuso Pärssinen also received qualifying offers from the Predators before the start of free agency. All five players are in the $750,000 to $999,000 range, meaning that their qualifying offers are required to be 105% of their current salary, up to $1 million. Stastney is the only player from that group to elect salary arbitration. Wilsby will be waivers exempt, meaning he can be moved between Milwaukee and Nashville without having to clear waivers. He returns to an Admirals defensive core that also includes Ryan Ufko, Jeremy Hanzel, Kevin Gravel and Nick Blankenburg. Wilsby has yet to make his NHL debut with the Predators, but that may very well change this season if he is called up as an injury replacement.
