The 23-year-old forward was a restricted free agent. He had 31 points (11 goals, 20 assists) in 78 games with the Predators and Chicago Blackhawks last season, including six points (three goals, three assists) in 21 games after he was acquired by Nashville with a fifth-round pick in the 2018 NHL Draft in a trade with the Blackhawks for forward prospect Victor Ejdsell, a first-round and a fourth-round pick in the 2018 draft on Feb. 26.
"When you hear [the challenge and the opportunity from coach Peter Laviolette and general manager David Poile], it gives you motivation throughout the summer to make sure you're coming into camp ready to go and coming in at full speed," Hartman said. "From the day I got traded, I knew Nashville was a place I wanted to be. It's a great city and we've got a heck of a team, so I'm really excited to be coming back."
Hartman had three points (two goals, one assist) in nine Stanley Cup Playoff games for Nashville.
"I like to be relied on too," Hartman said. "I like to be a guy that can go out there and change the game and help the team win games. I take pride in being a utility guy and a guy that can kind of play in every situation, those key moments of games."
Chicago selected Hartman in the first round (No. 30) of the 2013 NHL Draft. He has 63 points (30 goals, 33 assists) in 162 NHL games with the Predators and Blackhawks, and three points in 13 playoff games.
"Just thinking of the Cup, I can guarantee that's what everyone's seeing when they're in their weight room this summer and when they're out there skating," Hartman said. "You see the happiness and the joy of [the Washington Capitals] and what they did and how good it feels to be a champion, and I think a lot of guys have used that as motivation this summer."
