NHL free agency: Nashville Predators to sign Matt Duchene

David Poile has finally gotten his man. The Nashville Predators are expected to sign Matt Duchene to a seven-year deal worth $8 million annually once NHL free agency starts. 

For years, the Nashville Predators have tried to acquire Matt Duchene. He has been general manager David Poile’s white whale. After failing to acquire him numerous times, the Predators have finally caught their guy. According to Chris Johnston, the Preds are expected to sign Duchene to a seven-year deal worth $8 million annually once NHL free agency begins on July 1.

This is a remarkably cheap deal, considering how much Duchene was reportedly seeking. Furthermore, Kevin Hayes signed with the Philadelphia Flyers for just over $7 million earlier this offseason. So Duchene at $8 million a year is pretty darn good.

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Duchene has long wanted to come to Nashville, so perhaps this bargain is unexpected. He’s been linked to them for a long time and it’s been mutual on both ends. Poile’s wanted Duchene and Duchene has always had a special place in his heart for Nashville.

After years of nearly uniting in a perfect relationship, the two sides seem to have made something work. This gives the Predators an immediate upgrade on their second line. Now Nashville can boast two scoring lines capable of scoring like a top line, which is great for them.

The Predators had to do this after seeing the Dallas Stars reportedly sign Joe Pavelski and Corey Perry. Now Nashville finally has the second-line center they’ve been trying to get for so long. And Duchene, a country music enthusiast, has gotten to where he has wanted to be all along.

While this doesn’t make the P.K. Subban trade look any better, it’s worth noting the Predators wouldn’t have been able to sign Duchene without clearing his cap space. It doesn’t justify the mediocre at best return, but at least getting rid of him helped Nashville grab Duchene.

Last season, Duchene scored 31 goals and had 39 assists for 70 points. This was split between the Ottawa Senators and Columbus Blue Jackets. Though the Blue Jackets made a push to keep him, they couldn’t keep Duchene away from Nashville.

There’s still more work to be done for the Predators, but by signing Duchene, they check off the most important thing on their offseason to-do list. Next up is signing team captain Roman Josi to an extension.