The Nashville Predators have landed one of the most coveted free agents of the off-season, inking star centre Matt Duchene to a seven-year deal worth $56 million.
Duchene headed into the summer after a whirlwind few years that took him through both Ottawa and Columbus, following a nine-year stint in Colorado. The two-time all-star was traded to the Senators in 2017, with whom he played 118 games, posting 107 points.
WE GOT HIM.#Preds | @Matt9Duchene https://t.co/JyLP8cmlmM
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) July 1, 2019
He finished his career-best 2018-19 campaign with the Blue Jackets after a deadline day deal shipped him to Ohio for Columbus’ all-in post-season run. Duchene concluded the season with 31 goals and 70 points to his name.
“Our objective this offseason was to bolster our offense, and signing Matt Duchene gives us another dynamic goal-scoring, playmaking center,” Predators GM David Poile said in a press release. “We are excited to add his skill and experience to our top-six forwards and look forward to the next seven years of Matt and his family in Smashville. Matt’s love of country music and passion for the city of Nashville make this partnership a perfect fit.”
The new deal clocks in as his biggest payday yet, with the Haliburton, Ont., native carrying a $6 million-per-year cap hit on the five-year deal he just finished up.
The 28-year-old joins a Predators squad that has loaded up at the centre position over the past few years, with Duchene joining a forward corps that includes ex-Blue Jacket Ryan Johansen, ex-Senator Kyle Turris, and ex-Penguin Nick Bonino down the middle.
July 1, 2019
Nashville Predators
