The Nashville Predators had the best free agency day in recent memory by bringing in Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, Brady Skjei, re-signing both Juuse Saros and Alexandre Carrier, and more. The big stories surrounding a couple of the Predators' new stars are the way they were treated on the way out, leading to their departures. The Predators did everything right, but the Tampa Bay Lightning and Vegas Golden Knights had other plans and ways of treating players that helped lead their teams to Stanley Cups. Both Stamkos and Marchessault felt disrespected and didn't like how the situations involving their departures from their former teams were handled. Stamkos, heading into his final year under contract with the Lightning, wanted to come to an agreement on a new deal before the 2023-24 season. The two sides were unable to get a contract signed, there was a feeling of not really being wanted in Tampa Bay anymore, and the captain of the Lightning played out his final year. Stamkos proved that he is still at the top of his game, scoring 40 goals and 81 points in 79 games during the 2023-24 season at 33 years old. He had that great season with the contract looming over his head and proved that he deserved the four-year, $8 million AAV deal the Predators gave him. Steven Stamkos speaks to the media after agreeing to a four-year, $32 million contract with the Nashville Predators. After the Lightning didn't sign Stamkos and he moved on to sign with Nashville, the former Lightning captain was asked if he has any bitterness towards the Lightning, to which he answered, "It's not fair to Nashville for me to sit here and say, you know what I really wanted it to work out in Tampa, everybody knows I did, it didn't work out, and I'm just as thrilled to be joining the Nashville Predators." Stamkos also added that "This morning I looked at myself in the mirror and knew what loyalty and respect meant to me and at that point I was ready to move on." While disrespected in a similar way and it wasn't as big of a story, Marchessault's dealings with the Golden Knights were very similar. Marchessault said Vegas did "not try hard to keep him." He felt disrespected by the organization and reportedly really wanted to stay in Vegas. He even gave them a discount to do so, but the team still didn't want him back. The 2023 Conn Smythe winner is the Golden Knights franchise leader in goals (192), points (417), GP (514), shots (1708), GWG (32), OTG (9), PPP (103), playoff goals (36), playoff points (75), playoff GP (95), playoff +/- (+36). playoff shots (325). Nashville Predators general manager Barry Trotz speaks to the media following a busy first day of free agency on July 1, 2024. Marchessault was with the Golden Knights from Day 1 when he was selected in the expansion draft and was with the team for all the success. It is well known Vegas is a cutthroat organization and it comes for every player. After both the Lightning and Golden Knights walked away from two of their best players for one reason or another, both will have a chip on their shoulders and something to prove. They're each coming off of 40-goal seasons, so this bodes well for the Predators who are now serious contenders. RECENT PREDATORS NEWS Nashville Predators Make Some Big Noise on Busy Opening Day of Free Agency [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-news/nashville-predators-make-some-big-noise-on-busy-opening-day-of-free-agency] Nashville Predators Sign 4 Free Agents to Two-Way Contracts [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-news/nashville-predators-sign-4-free-agents-to-two-way-contracts] Alexandre Carrier Re-Signs With Nashville Predators on Multi-Year Deal [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-news/alexandre-carrier-re-signs-with-nashville-predators-on-multi-year-deal] Nashville Predators Make Juuse Saros Extension Official [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-news/nashville-predators-make-juuse-saros-extension-official]
