*Photo from Canes Country*
The fireworks are continuing in Smashville. The Nashville Predators and D Brady Skjei have agreed to a 7 year, $49 million contract, according to Pierre Lebrun of TSN. The Predators have made the signing official.
Skjei entered free agency at the right time, setting a career high in points and matching a career best in assists while donning a Carolina Hurricanes uniform. Skjei has grown into a valuable defenseman, averaging over 21 minutes of ice time per game in each of the last 3 seasons, turning into a workhorse on the back end.
The contract he got from the Predators is certainly a hefty one. He gets paid $7 million annually through the end of the 2030-2031 season, with $13 million of the $49 million he's owed split into signing bonus money over all 7 seasons. He also has a full no movement clause all 7 seasons.
Last season served as Skjei's 4th full campaign with the Hurricanes, finishing off part of 5 years with the team. He scored 13 goals and added 34 assists for 47 points, averaging 21:17 of ice time over 80 games. He added one goal and 8 assists in 11 playoff games.
Nashville GM Barry Trotz said of Skjei that "We feel Brady Skjei has developed into one of the NHL’s top two-way defensemen, and his high-end ability to skate and move the puck makes him a big addition to our defensive corps. By joining a group that includes Norris Trophy finalist Roman Josi, Stanley Cup champion Luke Schenn, a physical presence in Jeremy Lauzon and recently signed Alexandre Carrier, Brady gives us another two-way blueliner who can play in all situations."
The Predators had a hole on the left side of their defense depth chart after dealing Ryan McDonagh to the Tampa Bay Lightning, and bringing in Skjei helps patch that hole. He's able to fill McDonagh's role on the second pairing with captain Roman Josi on the top pair.
Skjei has played for the Hurricanes and New York Rangers over his 8 full seasons in the league, fitting in 7 games of a 9th season in 2015-2016. He has racked up 68 goals and 179 assists for 247 points, averaging 20:38 of ice time while posting a +21 rating in 609 games. He has an additional 7 goals and 18 assists in 76 playoff games.
Bringing in Skjei is another move in a busy offseason for the Predators. In addition to re-signing Alexandre Carrier and extending goalie Juuse Saros, the Predators also brought in Scott Wedgewood, Steven Stamkos, and Jonathan Marchessault from the free agent market.
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