Predators GM David Poile outlines his plans for pending UFAs Filip Forsberg and Mattias Ekholm

The Nashville Predators have been active this offseason, signing Dante Fabbro, Mikhail Grandlund and Jusse Saros to new deals, bringing in veteran backup David Rittich to take over for the recently retired Pekka Rinne and shipping off Ryan Ellis to Philadelphia in a 3-way deal involving the Vegas Golden Knights, bringing back center Cody Glass (VGK) and defenseman Philippe Myers (PHI) in the exchange. Nolan Patrick ended up being the piece headed to Vegas.

While Preds GM David Poile has been hard at work, filling holes and planning for the future, he hasn't forgotten about two of his big pending UFA's who are in need of new deals after the 2021-22 season.

Forward Filip Forsberg and defenseman Mattias Ekholm are two players who personify the identity of the Predators over the past 9-10 seasons. A pair of hard-working, consistent performers for the Preds and two of the last remaining pieces from a sensational 2016-17 run to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Poile told the media on Tuesday that he is currently working towards locking both Forsberg (27) and Ekholm (31) up to long-term contract extensions. He confirmed that contract talks have already begun with the Ekholm camp and that he plans to reach out to the Forsberg camp a little closer to training camp to see what's what.

Forsberg spoke a bit about where his mind was back in June, seemingly content in remaining a Predator for the foreseeable future, but that was all before Poile traded his best friend and frequent linemate Viktor Arvidsson to the LA Kings in July.

"It's going to be one of those things that obviously management and me and my agents are going to have to talk through. But I've loved every minute of my time here in Nashville and I don't see why I wouldn't love the future here too. It's definitely something that I want to do."

Poile knows just how vital Ekholm and Forsberg are to the team moving forward, as veterans and leaders and he plans to leave no stone unturned throughout the negotiation process to find a situation that works out for all parties. Poile places a lot of importance on the two Swedish studs and tried to plant some seeds with each during their end-of-season conversations.

"It's a very important part of the conversation, and they have to believe in the organization and what we're doing and where we're going. I've certainly had talks with both of them at the end of the year a little bit on that, but I think as we get into negotiations, if you will, that those conversations will be taken up a notch.

"I'm going to give my viewpoints and my vision, but I certainly need to see how they see themselves fitting in because those type of players need to be our best players. They need to be leaders for us, and so they need to be totally bought in or it's not going to work for them or for us. They'll be important discussions that will hopefully lead to future contracts with us. That would be the goal."

Source: NHL.com

MUST READ

32 minutes ago  |  By Skyler Walker Elliotte Friedman exposes the messy truth behind Dylan Larkin's trade request out of Detroit

2 hours ago  |  By Skyler Walker A photo emerges after hospitalization that reveals just how bad Brayden McNabb's injury is

3 hours ago  |  By Skyler Walker Lindy Ruff may have won the NHL's Jack Adams Trophy after all: Elliotte Friedman steps in

3 hours ago  |  By Skyler Walker A third player officially leaves the Canadiens organization for good, joining Gallagher and Laine

4 hours ago  |  By Skyler Walker Golden Knights provide a concerning update on Brayden McNabb after a disturbing incident

9 hours ago  |  By Jonathan Ouimet Tortorella just lost it on a reporter and cameras caught everything

9 hours ago  |  By Jonathan Ouimet Edmonton Oilers just reveal stunning new info on the imminent Bruce Cassidy hire

9 hours ago  |  By Jonathan Ouimet What Montreal must give up for Dylan Larkin just got leaked

MORE STORIES