Preds Re-Sign Hartman To One Year Deal

Photo courtesy of Secondcityhockey

NHL

Preds Re-Sign Hartman To One Year Deal

The Predators announced this morning that they had re-signed Ryan Hartman to a one year deal for $875,000.  Hartman had been traded from the Blackhawks just before the trade deadline and finished up with 6 points in the last 21 games.

The Predators who have so much depth that taking a risk on Hartman is worth it, especially for such a cheap price. With a one year deal, Hartman seems to be betting on himself to return to the form that he did with the Blackhawks (19 goals in 76 games as a rookie).

Where do we go from here?

The contract leaves about $11 million in cap space remaining with only Salomaki and Saros waiting as unsigned RFAs. (Update: Saros signed a 3 year, $4.5 million deal) With only one year left on his contract and available room, the Predators eyes will likely look to lock up Ryan Ellis on a multi-year deal next.

Depth Questions

With Tolvanen, Watson, Hartman, Sissons, Bonino, Jarnkrok and Salomaki all vying for top 9 forward positions, it’s still difficult to see how bottom six will look come the new season. You never really know what to expect from David Poile but it doesn’t sound like he intends to make any large moves.

“I’m very comfortable going into next season with the core of players we presently have,” Poile said. 

The Predators will return with the same group as the team that won the President’s Trophy last year and will look to improve on a second round, 7-game series elimination to the Jets. They went to the Stanley Cup Final and lost to the Penguins in 6 games back in 2016.

Additional Information

The Blackhawks traded Hartman to the Predators along with a fifth-round pick for a prospect (Victor Ejsdell) and a first and fourth round pick.

Hartman had 3 points in 9 playoff games this past season.