Recapping the Predators' 2023 Offseason Moves

It’s been a busy summer in SMASHVILLE, as new General Manager Barry Trotz and his staff have spent the last several weeks stockpiling talent through trades, free agency, the NHL Draft and more.

The free agency period opened on July 1 with a flurry of signings by the Preds, including veteran forwards Gustav Nyquist and Ryan O’Reilly and defenseman Luke Schenn.

This summer also saw the return of two familiar faces, as forward Cody Glass and defenseman Alexandre Carrier accepted qualifying offers as restricted free agents.

The Preds also selected 11 players (eight forwards, two defensemen and one goalie) in the 2023 NHL Draft on July 28-29 at Bridgestone Arena.

Here is a look back at Nashville's offseason activity since the conclusion of the 2022-23 season:

RE-SIGNED PLAYERS

• April 16: Kiefer Sherwood, One-Year, $775,000
• April 16: Michael McCarron, One-Year, $775,000
• June 27: Jake Livingstone, Two-Year, Two-Way
• July 1: Cody Glass, Two-Year, $5 Million
• July 1: Alexandre Carrier, One-Year, $2.5 Million
• July 1: Anthony Angello, Two-Year, Two-Way

TRADES & BUYOUTS

• June 24: Acquired Alex Galchenyuk from Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Ryan Johansen (Retained 50 percent of Johansen’s Two-Year, $8 million average annual value remaining salary; did not sign Galchenyuk, who became an unrestricted free agent on July 1)
• June 30: Placed Matt Duchene on unconditional waivers with the intent to buy out his contract

FREE AGENT ACQUISITIONS

• July 1: Luke Schenn, Three-Year, $8.25 Million
• July 1: Troy Grosenick, One-Year, Two-Way
• July 1: Gustav Nyquist, Two-Year, $6.37 Million
• July 1: Ryan O’Reilly, Four-Year, $18 Million
• July 3: Jasper Weatherby, One-Year, Two-Way
• July 11: Denis Gurianov, One-Year, $850,000

2023 NHL DRAFT

• Round 1, 15th Overall: Matthew Wood, RW, Connecticut (NCAA)
• Round 1, 26th Overall: Tanner Molendyk, D, Saskatoon (WHL)*
• Round 2, 43rd Overall: Felix Nilsson, C, Rogle Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.)
• Round 2, 46th Overall: Kalan Lind, LW, Red Deer (WHL)*
• Round 3, 68th Overall: Jesse Kiiskinen, RW, Pelicans Jr. (FINLAND-JR.)
• Round 3, 83rd Overall: Dylan Mackinnon, D, Halifax (QMJHL)
• Round 4, 111th Overall: Joey Willis, C, Saginaw (OHL)
• Round 4, 121st Overall: Juha Jatkola, G, Kalpa (FINLAND)
• Round 5, 143rd Overall: Sutter Muzzatti, C, RPI (NCAA)
• Round 6, 175th Overall: Austin Roest, C, Everett (WHL)
• Round 7, 218th Overall: Aiden Fink, RW, Brooks (AJHL)

*Signed Three-Year, Entry-Level Contract on July 6

NEW HIRES

• May 31: Andrew Brunette, Head Coach
• June 22: Derek MacKenzie, Assistant Coach
• June 26: Pekka Rinne, European Development Coach & Scout
• July 2: Mark Borowiecki, Pro Development Coach