Predators sign #1 goalie Juuse Saros and avoid arbitration; 4 year-deal worth $20M

Anthony Scultore |

Aug 16, 2021

Goaltender Pekka Rinne announced his retirement after 15 seasons, all with the Nashville Predators. This put an onus on GM David Poile to get RFA net minder Juuse Saros signed.

Today, the Predators inked Saros to a four year extension worth $20 million. The team has yet to make this official.

https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/1427260164911009793?s=20

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Juuse Saros takes command of the Predators crease

Juuse Saros, 26, started 35 games in goal for the Predators last season, posting a 21-11-1 mark with a 2.28 GAA and .927 save percentage.

juuse saros contract — May 23, 2021; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) watches as the puck hits off the side of the net in the first overtime against the Carolina Hurricanes in game four of the first round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

His numbers are impressive, and he’s been the true number one goalie for the Predators since 2019-20. That year he played in 40 of the team’s 69 games posting a 17-12-4 record with a .914 SV% and a 2.70 GAA.

Saros had arbitration rights this summer and was potentially in line for a big one year award, but with this extension both sides were able to avoid that uncomfortable situation.

The backstop just completed a 3-year contract that paid $1.5 million AAV. This new deal comes in at $5 million per season.

–Field Level Media contributed to this article