Pucks On The 'Net

Roman Josi, Nashville's second year defenseman out of Switzerland, signed a 7 year, $28 million dollar deal on Monday.

The $4 million salary cap hit seems about right, and soon enough that may seem like a bargain. He is a smart and skilled defender, adding a nice addition of mobility to Nashville's stingy blue line. Josi looks like he will be a long-time top four defender and that's the going rate. But there certainly is risk. Josi has only played 100 NHL games. Will he ever emerge as an offensive presence? Can any dman in Nashville, especially with Shea Weber around? There is risk here, as the Predators are committing 7 years and $28 million based on potential.

The surprise comes in the seven year term. It's great to see a good young player commit to a market like Nashville for so long. But are the Predators over-committing to after past contract disasters with Weber and the departed Ryan Suter?

Here's some more Pucks On The 'Net:

• John Shannon of Sportsnet assures us a NHL/Olympic deal for Sochi will get done. It seems like different vested parties are after expanded agendas, including player transfer agreements and European television contracts. I'm sure a deal will get done, but let's hurry this up, please!
• What happens in Pittsburgh this off-season promises to be interesting. Pascal Dupuis is about to become an unrestricted free agent and due for a big raise on his $1.5 million pay check. Matt Cooke is in a similar boat. And will the Pens really make Jarome Iginla, Douglas Murray and Brendan Morrow rental players? And hanging above all this is Evgeni Malkin, a year away from unrestricted free agency, looking to begin extension talks.Will his contract come at the expense of losing someone like Chris Kunitz and/or James Neal? Pittsburgh's moves in the next few weeks have long term implications.
• All that Pittsburgh talk does not even take into consideration the fall of Marc-Andre Fleury. What will they do with their goalie?
• Evgeni Malkin, Sidney Crosby, James Neal, Jarome Iginla and Kris Letang combined for zero goals, zero assists and a collective minus-23 rating in the four games against Boston. See, it's not just the Sedins who have trouble with Boston. And they have never had that kind of secondary scoring.
• Dallas Eakins is a great fit in Edmonton. His track record with young players is impressive. Now lets see if Craig MacTavish can improve that blue line and maybe find a veteran presence up front.
• I suspect we will see John Stevens named as the new head coach in Vancouver in short order.