Spekk-tacular!

NASHVILLE, TN - Prized free agent goaltender signing Pekka Rinne donned his Predators practice jersey for the first time today, as he took part in the first informal skate of the Predators season as players slowly trickle in to Nashville to start the pre-season. 

"Only just a few of our players were here in attendance today, though we haven't officially begun training camp yet. However, it was very nice to see Rinne among the few attendees." Wolf said.

Pekka Rinne signed on the opening day of free agency with the Nashville Predators, signing a 3 year deal @ $7,100,000 per season and a $6,390,000 signing bonus. The signing sent shockwaves through Tennessee as the Predators finally addressed an area of weakness on their team, and secured an elite goaltender in Pekka Rinne.

"Pekka Rinne signals a new chapter with our franchise. We really feel with the free agent signing of Rinne, it solidifies our team as a whole, and there is no longer an area of weakness throughout our lineup. We are very excited with this acquisition and very excited that Pekka Rinne was so keen on joining our franchise." Wolf said.

Pekka Rinne spent the last 4 seasons between the pipes  for the Minnesota Wild, playing 237 games and boasting a  SV% of .910 - Pekka Rinne left Minnesota, arguably  Nashvilles biggest rival in order to join the Preds.

The Predators had a very successful off-season, where many promises were made by the GM Eric Wolf. Promises to fix the goaltending and build the blueline, were ultimately upheld. Fans are quite satisfied with the direction of the team and the commitment to compete. Wolf had a tendency to sit back in the past, but in his recent moves, all the signs are pointing to the Predators desire to go deep into the playoffs this upcoming season.

With the free agent signings of Pekka Rinne and Michal Neuvirth, the Predators turned their attention to the blueline. 

Brent Seabrook signed a 4 year deal worth $6,100,000 per season. Coming over from the Chicago Blackhawks where he played last season, Seabrook joins the Predators where he's expected to play a big role with the team. Seabrook immediately slots in on the top pairing in Nashville alongside Krug. Seabrooks addition to the blueline will help ease the workload of the young Nashville defense. 

Nashville re-signed Dan Hamhuis! Hamhuis has spent his entire EHE career with the Predators, and has re-signed as a unrestricted free agent to re-join the team. It is expected Dan Hamhuis will retain his assistant captaincy, as he is now under contract for two more seasons. 

"Hamhuis was the first free agent we reached out to this off-season. We love Hammer, and we're very thrilled he is coming back to Nashville."

Outside of free agency, Nashville continued to work on their defense, and made a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks. Going to the Blackhawks is forward Erik Haula and prospect Stepan Falkovsky. Coming back to Nashville is forward Brock McGinn, defenseman Erik Gudbranson, prospect Lucas Johansen, and a 3rd & 5th round pick in 2020.

Gudbranson spent the last 3 seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning before being traded to Chicago last month. However, Gudbranson found himself dealt again just a month later to the Nashville Predators. 

"As tough as it is to lose Erik Haula, this deal made sense for us. Erik Haula was a victim of us having too many top 6 forwards, and he was pushed to the 3rd line. It made sense to move him for someone younger and with similar upside in Brock McGinn, and McGinn is more suited for a 3rd line role as opposed to Haula. Erik Gudbranson was a fantastic fit on our blueline. We love his toughness, his character, and with the addition of him along with the acquisition of Seabrook and Hamhuis, we feel we really improved the integrity of our blueline." GM Wolf said.

With the additions of Pekka Rinne, Michal Neuvirth, Brent Seabrook, Dan Hamhuis, Erik Gudbranson, and Lucas Johansen. As well as recently drafted Adam Boqvist, and other defensemen in the system like Noah Juulsen and Ethan Bear signing their ELC deals, it is safe to say Nashville has upheld their promises last season to address their goaltending and defense.