Turris 'going to work hard' to fuel Predators offense

NASHVILLE -- Center Kyle Turris met his new Nashville Predators teammates for the first time at Centennial Sportsplex on Wednesday.
The Predators acquired Turris, 28, in a three-team trade with the Ottawa Senators and Colorado Avalanche on Sunday. Nashville sent defense prospect Samuel Girard, forward prospect Vladislav Kamenev and a second-round pick in the 2018 NHL Draft to the Avalanche, and received Turris from the Senators.

Turris signed a six-year, $36 million contract extension with the Predators on Sunday. The contract, which has an average annual value of $6 million, takes effect next season.
Turris completed the immigration process and is expected to play against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Bridgestone Arena on Saturday (8 p.m. ET; ATTSN-PT, FS-TN, NHL.TV) in a rematch of the 2017 Stanley Cup Final.
The Predators didn't hold a full team practice Wednesday, but Turris was in attendance to get acquainted with the players and coaches.
"Real nice guys," Turris said. "I was chatting in there with a bunch of guys and seeing guys that I haven't seen for a while. It was good to catch up and meet the staff."

Turris said he knows several Nashville players, which he believes will help in his transition to a new locker room.
"[Center] Ryan Johansen, [defenseman Ryan] Ellis, [forward Miikka] Salomaki, [defenseman P.K.] Subban," Turris said. "Just guys that, I mean we haven't seen each other for a long time, but it always makes things easier seeing familiar faces."
Turris said he believes he's joining a team that has a chance to compete for the Stanley Cup, not only this season, but in the future, and was happy when he found out he would be landing in Nashville.
"It was a whirlwind," Turris said. "I mean I had heard about things happening. Things weren't really working out with Ottawa in terms of an extension. And then the way it all happened, it was very quick. Hearing so many good things about Nashville and seeing the team and the success last year and how well they're set up for success for years to come, it was just something that I was extremely excited about and thankful to have the opportunity to join."
The Predators have won three consecutive games and are third in the Central Division with an 8-5-2 record. However, they rank 25th in the NHL with 2.67 goals per game. Turris, who has scored at least 24 goals in each of his past three full NHL seasons, said he will be looking to make an impact.
"I'm going to work hard," he said. "I'm going to try and contribute offensively and create lots of opportunities but also be strong defensively. They have such a good team here, I just want to help contribute to the team's success."
Turris figures to be the second-line center behind Johansen. When Nick Bonino (day to day) returns from a lower-body injury, the Predators believe they will have the most depth at center in their history.