Breaking News: Tampa bay lightning head coach just summitted his resignation letter to the management.
The Nashville Predators made a huge splash when free agency opened Monday by signing Stanley Cup champion forwards Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault in a series of moves topping $100 million that made Smashville the center of attention on a record-setting, billion-dollar day across the NHL.
Stamkos left Tampa Bay after 16 seasons, two Cup titles and two additional trips to the final to sign a four year, $32 million contract with Nashville.
“By no means did I ever envision that a day like today would happen, but it did,” Stamkos said.
“It was definitely a bitter pill to swallow when it really started to materialize that it wasn’t going to work in Tampa.”
Stamkos turned to the Predators, made his decision and got a call from Marchessault asking if he was signing with them too, worried it was one or the other.
“He said, ‘No Stammer, I’m coming, too,’” Stamkos recalled.
Marchessault got $27.5 million for the next five seasons less than 13 months since earning playoff MVP honors in leading Vegas to its first championship.
The two will have company: Defenseman Brady Skjei signed with Nashville for seven years and $49 million, and Scott Wedgewood came in at $3 million for two years to back up franchise goaltender Juuse Saros.
massive day for the future of our organization.” The Predators at $111.5 million became the first team to surpass $100 million committed to new players in free agency since the Florida Panthers five years ago started building toward.
