The Nashville Predators recently secured their starting goaltender, Juuse Saros, with an eight-year contract extension worth $61.92 million, marking a long-awaited milestone for the 29-year-old. Saros, who joined the Predators in 2013 as a fourth-round draft pick, patiently served as a backup behind Pekka Rinne, the franchise icon whose jersey was retired in 2021-22. Upon Rinne’s retirement after the 2020-21 season, Saros assumed the starting role and has since established himself as one of the NHL’s premier goaltenders.
Since becoming the Predators’ starter in the 2021-22 season, Saros has demonstrated exceptional performance, though he has yet to win the Vezina Trophy, an accolade Rinne captured in 2017-18. Saros has already appeared in two NHL All-Star Games (2022 and 2023) and ranks second in franchise history for wins with 182, trailing only Rinne’s 369 victories.
Looking ahead to the 2024-25 season, the Predators are poised to be a formidable force in the Western Conference with a revamped roster that includes stars like Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault alongside established players such as Ryan O’Reilly and Filip Forsberg. Saros remains a pivotal leader both on the ice and in the locker room, providing stability and confidence to the team’s defense and forwards alike.
As Nashville gears up for the upcoming season, Saros stands to further solidify his place among the league’s elite goaltenders, potentially positioning himself for a Vezina Trophy as the Predators aim to harness their deep roster and contend for playoff success.
