The Nashvile Predators signed free agent right winger Nino Niederreiter to a two-year contract worth $8 million, or $4 million per season. This contract carries him through the 2023-24 season.
SIGNED https://t.co/HuokSKIw4Y pic.twitter.com/RFtqAzemBP
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) July 21, 2022
Nino Niederreiter Contract Signed, Leaves Carolina
Over his eleven-year NHL career, Niederreiter played for the Carolina Hurricanes, New York Islanders, and Minnesota Wild. The Islanders drafted him back in 2010 with their first-round, fifth overall selection. He left Long Island via trade in the summer of 2013, as New York dealt him to Minnesota for Cal Clutterbuck and a draft pick. Then, after five-and-a-half years there, Minnesota dealt him to Carolina for Victor Rask.
Last season in Carolina, Niederreiter posted 24 goals and 20 assists for 44 points through 75 games. That ranks as his best season in a ‘Canes uniform, though he bested those totals twice as a member of the Wild. He also posted a 59.9% Corsi, and 6.1% relative Corsi. His possession metrics always look great year-after-year. The winger turns 30 ahead of next season, and already holds six campaigns under his belt where he broke the 20-goal plateau. He collected 368 points through 732 career games to-date.
What This Means for the Future
Niederreiter brings fast pace and high-end skill to the table whenever he plays. His 6’2, 215-pound frame helps him add physicality, too, and he’s known for throwing his weight around. He ended 2021-22 with 119 hits, nearly double his total from any other season in Carolina. He played with that edge and scoring knack early in his career with the Wild, and seems to have rediscovered it this past year.
The Hurricanes wanted to bring him back, but knew it had to be at the right price. After all, they held somewhere around $20 million in cap space to spend going into the 2022 offseason. Niederreiter sat as only one of many impact players Carolina needed to make a decision on. Vincent Trocheck, Derek Stepan, Max Domi, Ian Cole, Anthony Deangelo, Ethan Bear, Martin Necas, and Brendan Smith all also hit free agency, whether as UFA’s or RFA’s. That list features more core players than Carolina would like. Unfortunately, not all can be retained with the limited funds available to be spent. As a result, some must leave, and players like Niederreiter come with plenty of demand to be signed elsewhere.
🚨SIGNING UPDATE🚨: #Preds sign F Nino Niederreiter to a two-year contract…
Follow every deal in our Signing Tracker – https://t.co/9G8sMTmZZA#TSNHockey pic.twitter.com/EABYFoZfUn
— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) July 21, 2022
